Cravings are part of human experience. While giving in to them every once in a while is probably not a big deal, when we succumb to them as part of a life effecting or life threatening addiction, they can be a real nightmare. Described colloquially as “a strong desire”, as it turns out, even though we all experience them, surprisingly, there is no consensus definition or biochemical marker for a craving.
Still, there is biochemistry associated with cravings and this is typically the end result of the substance that’s being sought out. Every time we give in to a craving our brain chemicals change just a little bit. Over time, as we chronically indulge, neurochemistry changes dramatically and semi-permanently, which can make it harder and harder to fight cravings off.
While many of us try to stand up to cravings with willpower, that’s not always an effective or easy strategy and we can all relate to the feeling of “falling off the wagon”. Instead of trying to muscle through cravings, the next time one strikes, you might want to play. Specifically, play a pattern matching game.
As it turns out, visual imagery is an important part of the craving process. According to an article in the journal Appetite, when the imagination is occupied for three minutes with a puzzle task like Tetris, a shape recognition game available as a smart phone app, craving events can be considerably reduced and the intensity of cravings can be diminished by up to 25%.
