Surfing the internet for long periods of time can cause withdrawal symptoms 'similar to people on a comedown from ecstasy'

• The results showed heavy web users tend to be more depressed and show higher levels of autism traits
• When people come off-line, they suffer increased negative mood - just like people coming off illegal drugs

By Daily Mail Reporter
  17 February 2013 
 
Using the internet for hours on end can result in withdrawal symptoms similar to the ‘comedown’ experienced by drug users, scientists warned yesterday.

Researchers found spending excessive periods of time surfing the internet left people in ‘negative moods’. And, like drug addicts, when heavy internet users go back on the web their negative moods lift.

The research was carried out on 60 volunteers with an average age of 25 at Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences. Scientists say the results could mean society is in for some ‘nasty surprises’ if internet use increases as expected.

Professor Phil Reed, from the university’s psychology department, said: ‘Our results show that around half of the young people we studied spend so much time on the net that it has negative consequences for the rest of their lives.

‘When people come offline, they suffer increased negative mood – just like people coming off illegal drugs like ecstasy. These initial results, and related studies of brain function, suggest that there are some nasty surprises lurking on the net for people’s wellbeing.’

The study, published in the international journal Plus One, is the first of its kind into the immediate negative psychological impacts of internet use.

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