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M.I.T. Explains Why Bad Habits Are Hard to Break

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the also-because-vices-are-fun dept.

Ant writes "CNET News.com says habitual activity (e.g., smoking, eating fatty foods, gambling, etc.) changes neural activity patterns in a specific region of the brain when habits are formed. These neural patterns created by habit can be changed or altered. But when a stimulus from the old days returns, the dormant pattern can reassert itself, according to a new study from the M.I.T., putting an individual in a neural state akin to being on autopilot... The neural patterns get established in the basal ganglia, a brain region critical to habits, addiction and procedural learning."

4 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. Sin is in! by dada21 · · Score: 5, Funny

    A day is lacking without the 7 S's:

    1. Shower
    2. Seminate (Sex or self)
    3. Smoke
    4. Shave
    5. Starbucks
    6. Shit
    7. Slashdot

    Note that the primes are all habits. Now permanently locked in my brain.

  2. WooHoo!!! by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 5, Funny
    smoking, eating fatty foods, gambling, etc.

    Drinking isn't on that list. I guess I don't have any bad habits!

  3. Re:I can stop anytime... by jonthegm · · Score: 5, Funny
    See, this is why I like a little variety in my addictions: alcohol for a couple weeks, smoking the next, Starcraft after that, keeps me from getting pinned down to a single addiction for very long.
    Dude, I think that's ADHD.
  4. Vista is great! by CDPatten · · Score: 5, Funny

    This probably explains why you were about to flame me when you saw the title. Its just habbit, anything pro-ms, FLAME!