Speedcubing addiction

[Yuxuibbs]

I have this project where I have to do research on a topic and I chose speedcubing. I can't find a lot of reliable information. So far I'm going on the WCA stuff and some random articles/blogs/threads.
How many people are addicted?
What are the treatment options/medications?
Is it genetic, environmental, or both? Test/diagnoses?
Any causes of death? (like anyone would actually die from speed cubing unless they shot themselves trying to solve one)

 

[PandaCuber]

I used to be addicted. In the beginning and when I got sub 30.
Treatment: Find another hobby. I got into running and that has made my cubing addiction go down.
Maybe its environmental. Since you can cube anywhere. Genetic? Not too plausible...
Death: Maybe if you swallow a core...

 

[antoineccantin]

Death? Maybe if you inhale too much plastic dust from modding...

 

[aaronb]

I used to be addicted. In the beginning and when I got sub 30.
Treatment: Find another hobby. I got into running and that has made my cubing addiction go down.
Maybe its environmental. Since you can cube anywhere. Genetic? Not too plausible...
Death: Maybe if you swallow a core...

I dunno, Mike Hughey's family all cube.

But seriously, I think some people get addicted, but everyone who does, seem to eventually become less addicted (whether they still cube or not). I use to cube like 3-4 hours daily in the beginning, but now I cube way more casually.

I have no clue on treatments. Genetics seem unlikely, though I could see someone cubing seriously, and then their kids cube seriously without their parents telling them. They might have the same interests/likings as their parents naturally, and when they see a cubing video, may want to cube, like their parents did, even if they didn't know their parents cubed.....if that made any sense.

Death....cube dust? Muscle atrophy? Swallow a piece? I don't think any of those are likely though.

 

[pjk]

I don't think any of it is an addiction. Any of us could probably stop without any negative side-effects. We do it because we like doing it as a hobby. The benefits are learning, meeting new people, and improving to reach our goals.

 

[skeletonboy]

Behavioral Addiction? Well, it actually just inches away bit by bit. I've had this for yoyoing. I used to be a "pro" yo-yo guy, I almost swore to dad that I will yoyo for at least 10 years so I had to have 10 years worth of string. Result? 2 months after that claim, I found another hobby cubing and left yoyoing.

But even if you leave your hobby alone, you wont forget your skills, unless there is a 50 year time difference between. You may get a few seconds slower if you stop cubing for a few months, but you wont forget the skill.
So, I still play with my yoyo, bust out tricks and that and there, but I don't obsess it. It used to be an obsession, now cubing obsession.

My parents always commented why I ditched yoyoing, because I have spent SO much on it. I've spent a well few hundred dollars on it; no seriously, a collector spends thousands of dollars a month. Most popular ones are at least 100$. I ain't no collector, so I just spent a few hundred in a year, then I cubed. I can't throw the yoyos away, they're still my "babies", I've spent so much and I still like yoyoing, but not hours everyday.

Uggh, it's just really hard to change you know. I guess its just time....

 

[Yuxuibbs]

I think it's an addiction because "a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry" fits. You solve the cube, you get this feeling of accomplishment and you're like "let's see if I can do it faster" and you're hooked.

I just can't find any reliable articles, links?

 

[pdilla]

I just can't find any reliable articles, links?

Short article by Michael Stone, MD, Addiction Medicine Specialist.

 

[BlueDevil]

Genetics seem unlikely, though I could see someone cubing seriously, and then their kids cube seriously without their parents telling them. They might have the same interests/likings as their parents naturally, and when they see a cubing video, may want to cube, like their parents did, even if they didn't know their parents cubed.....if that made any sense.

Guys, the ability to solve a rubik's cube is not genetic. Traits that can make it easier to solve a Rubik's cube are genetic (such as the mental processes and finger build, shape, and flexibility). Solving a Rubik's cube is a skill you intentionally developed, you were not born with it, so you can't pass it on.

 

[Chrisandstuff]

My mom says im addicted.
Cure. I started playing ocarina of time again so less cubing time
Death. Cubing while driving Im sure this is quite easy to comprehend.

 

[Reinier Schippers]

I was addicted.Although my parents are still finding it an addiction they accept it is more a hobby. I used to do a lot of card throwing. Just threw some cards and I can still cut through a banana
I guess my cure was that I realised I liked playing guitar and hanging out with friends too instead of sitting 6 hours cubing in my room.
Death: Cubing in traffic

 

[NOLAcuber]

Wouldn't really call it an addiction. More of an obsession.
Although some people do have addictive personalitys, which is genetic.

 

[Yuxuibbs]

Anyone have stats on how many people are addicted?

Should I count video game addiction as kind of like cube addiction just so I have some info?