This manipulation of our dopamine systems is why many experts believe that we are developing behavioral addictions to our phones. Its release triggers physiological changes, such as spikes in blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar, that help us react to and survive acute physical threats. But our bodies also release cortisol in response to emotional stressors where an increased heart rate isn’t going to do much good, such as checking your phone to find an angry email from your boss. If they happened only occasionally, phone-induced cortisol spikes might not matter. “It’s a stress response, and it feels unpleasant, and the body’s natural response is to want to check the phone to make the stress go away.”

Source: New York Times April 24, 2019 08:33 UTC