Many people seek complementary and alternative approaches to video game addiction. Understanding the evidence base helps make informed choices.
Complementary Approaches with Evidence for Video Game Addiction
Acupuncture: Several studies show modest effects on video game addiction symptoms, particularly for anxiety and pain-related presentations.
Yoga: One of the best-evidenced complementary approaches — multiple mechanisms relevant to video game addiction.
Massage therapy: Reduces cortisol and increases serotonin — documented effects on video game addiction symptom severity.
Supplements: Omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D have meaningful evidence for some video game addiction presentations.
Complementary Approaches with Limited Evidence for Video Game Addiction
Crystal healing, homeopathy, and many energy medicine approaches lack scientific evidence for video game addiction. Risk of harm is low, but opportunity cost of forgoing evidence-based treatment is real.
Using Complementary Approaches Safely for Video Game Addiction
Complementary approaches work best as additions to, not replacements for, evidence-based video game addiction treatment. Always inform your healthcare providers of everything you're using.