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Published on: January 9, 2016
Exploring the interplay between addiction and time perception: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yunhao Gu1, Jiatong Shan2, Taicheng Huang3
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Brain Health Institute, National Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Psychology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States.
Addiction significantly impacts time perception, with studies showing medium to large effect sizes. While differences exist between addicts and controls, whether time is overestimated or underestimated remains unclear, highlighting the complexity of addiction and temporal processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Psychology
- Addiction Research
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Previous research explored substance effects on temporal perception and addiction.
- Understanding addiction's link to time perception is crucial for therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the correlation between addictive substances (alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, opioids) and non-substance addictions (internet gaming) and temporal perception.
- To elucidate the influence of these addictions on how individuals perceive time.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and critical evaluation of existing research using PICOS and PRISMA guidelines.
- Analysis of 31 articles covering alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, stimulants, opioids, and internet-related addictions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in time perception were found between individuals with addiction and control groups (Hedge's g = 0.8, p < 0.001).
- Effect sizes for these differences were medium to large.
- The specific nature of time perception alteration (overestimation vs. underestimation) was not definitively established.
Conclusions:
- Addiction is associated with altered temporal perception, but the direction of this alteration is complex and requires further investigation.
- This variability highlights the intricate relationship between addiction and time perception, necessitating continued research.
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