series, notifications, coffee… Update on new addictions

The times are ripe for addictions. For example, TV series, to which Professor Karila devotes an entire chapter in her latest book entitled Doctor: addict, or not?. “This is what we call binge-watching, it means that we overdose on series. If you watch two to six episodes in one go for more than three hours, or more than four episodes in one evening , maybe you suffer from binge watching”, explains doctor and journalist Damien Mascret, on the set of 13 Heures, Friday February 23. According to Professor Karila, what characterizes addiction is watching a series for longer than expected, in other words: the loss of control.

Be careful with coffee

Loss of control can in fact encroach on sleep, family or professional life. Tip: stop 5 minutes before the end of an episode, to avoid the big final twist. Regarding smartphones, addiction is linked to notifications. “Our brain, when it receives a notification, has an alert system”called the prefrontal system. “As long as we don’t know if it’s serious or not, it stays on in our brain and it tickles us”indicates Damien Mascret.

Another addiction: coffee. True addicts will start to have symptoms 12 to 24 hours after the last coffee: headache, fatigue, irritation or depressed mood. Professor Karila recommends not exceeding three cups per day, and not after 3 p.m.