The relationship between delayed gratification ability and addiction and its neurological basis

Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia

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Abstract

Addiction, including both substance and behavioural addictions, is a major concern worldwide. Poor self-control is linked to addiction, with delayed gratification being a key factor in self-control. Research suggests that people with difficulty delaying gratification are more likely to develop addictive behaviours. However, few studies combine both behavioural tasks and neuroimaging to explore how delayed gratification relates to addiction. This paper reviews studies on the connection between delayed gratification and addiction, focusing on both behavioural experiments and neuroimaging research. It also identifies common brain regions involved in addiction and delayed gratification. The findings show that individuals who struggle with delayed gratification are more likely to engage in addictive behaviours, though the impact of delay discounting on addiction varies between substance and behavioural addictions. The paper provides suggestions for early intervention and encourages future research using long-term and advanced brain imaging methods to better understand the neural processes.