Something that causes you to keep coming back for more because it creates a strong habit or dependency, whether physically or psychologically.
From Latin 'addictus' meaning 'assigned or devoted to,' combined with the suffix '-ive.' Originally described legal slavery; evolved to mean anything compelling or habit-forming.
Video games and sugar both exploit the same brain reward system that evolved to help us survive—your ancestors' brains loved calorie-rich foods, but modern companies have engineered snacks that are 100 times more stimulating than anything found in nature.
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