Social media copies gambling methods 'to create psychological cravings'

Methods activate 'same brain mechanisms as cocaine' and leads to users experiencing 'phantom' notification buzzing, experts warn

Social media platforms are using the same techniques as gambling firms to create psychological dependencies and ingrain their products in the lives of their users, experts warn.

These methods are so effective they can activate similar mechanisms as cocaine in the brain, create psychological cravings and even invoke "phantom calls and notifications" where users sense the buzz of a smartphone, even when it isn't really there.