Listening to Nature Sounds May Help Reduce Stress in Gambling Addicts, Japanese Study Finds

Research team in Japan led by Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki from Chiba University have found that listening to calming nature sounds can help alleviate stress levels in individuals suffering from gambling addiction. As reported by Medical Xpress, the study was conducted in response to government plans to open casinos in Japan and aimed to find new ways to treat gambling addiction.

Stress is known to be a major factor in the development and relapse of gambling addiction, and the researchers hypothesized that reducing stress levels could have a positive impact on treatment outcomes.

The study involved 22 men with pathological gambling addiction, who were split into two groups: one group listened to nature sounds, while the other was exposed to the sounds of a busy city intersection.

The results were clear: the participants who listened to nature sounds experienced physiological relaxation and reported feeling more relaxed and positive

This was confirmed by low scores on the POMS 2 questionnaire and an improvement in the overall mood of the participants.

The lead researcher, Professor Miyazaki, believes that auditory stimulation through nature sounds is a promising tool in treating gambling addiction. Although more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of this type of therapy, the findings suggest that natural sounds can be used to relieve stress in both addicted and healthy individuals.