[…] and makes it easier to cope with it. Unhealthy coping strategies could be using drugs, alcohol, or online shopping (I’m guilty). It makes you happy for a couple of minutes, but not in the long run. We want to […]
Do You Know Why Online Shopping is Addictive?
April 7, 2020In 2018 more than 1.8 billion people made an online purchase. Of those people making online purchases, 62% of online shoppers indicated that they make an online purchase at least once a month. A whopping 26% admitted to online shopping weekly and 3% confessed to shopping daily! With so many online purchases being made daily, there has to be a reason why online shopping is so addictive. And there is.
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The Surprising Reason why Online Shopping is So Addictive
Whether conducted in a physical store or done entirely online, shopping, much like other addictive foods, substances, or vices, causes the human body to release dopamine. Dopamine is neurotransmitter that is responsible for enabling the human body to feel pleasure. But if all shopping sprees cause our bodies to release dopamine, why is online shopping so addictive?
Simply put, the surprising reason why online shopping is addictive is that humans typically experience a double dose of dopamine when online shopping. Online shoppers first feel a rush of dopamine when they make an online purchase. Then, they feel a second rush of dopamine when the online order arrives.
In this way, online shoppers are surprised and delighted twice by the same purchase. In comparison, someone shopping in a physical store will only feel a rush of dopamine once. Why? These shoppers often immediately leave the store with their spoils.
Given my own experiences with online shopping, I understand why this is the reason that online shopping is addictive.When I frantically ordered the February 2020 TrendMood Box I felt a rush of dopamine after successfully completing my order. Then, when the box arrived I felt another wave of excitement hit me.
The double dose of excitement that I experience after online shopping is typical – especially when I’m able to successfully purchase a hyped-up product that sold out quickly. There is a thrill in being able to successfully order such coveted items.
Beyond Being Addictive, Why is Excessive Online Shopping So Bad?
TAlthough it is important to understand what makes online shopping addictive, simply understanding this point is not enough. Consumers need to understand and counteract the ramifications of overconsumption.
According to this video produced by the Atlantic, online shopping creates an excessive amount of waste. How so? Nine out of ten online shoppers rarely or never make returns. Instead,the unused items collect dust in homes, in storage units, or make their way into donation bins and landfills.
Fun fact: Americans toss out 81 lbs of clothing or textiles a year on average. Even larger amounts of plastic are dumped yearly.
Waste generated by excessive overconsumption in the States is a major concern. However, there are legitimate concerns about the environmental impact that online shopping has globally.
Shipping: Overnight and two-day shipping leads to the production of excessive carbon emissions due to increased fuel usage. Packages being overnighted require quicker means of transportation than the standard mail transported by vehicles. In other words, airplanes are needed.
Waste: Online shopping typically produces more packaging-related waste than in-store shopping. Plastic, bubble wrap, and other protective materials that are discarded after an online order arrives. Even if these materials are successfully sorted into recycling bins, there is still a high likelihood that they will not be reused or reworked.
Resource burden: Excessive online shopping puts a taxing burden on resources as individuals from wealthier nations consume much more than is necessary.
The ease, speed, and affordability of online shopping makes it easier to shop without pausing to think about potential negative ramifications.
Learn More
Check out the below YouTube video from the Atlantic:
If you enjoyed reading about the reason why online shopping is addictive, please check out this post on makeup buying addiction or this post on ways to reduce screen time.
Were you shocked at the reason why online shopping is so addictive? Please let me know in the comments below.
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I totally agree. I always online shop when I want to make myself feel better- as a sort of positive reinforcement. I’ve been able to control myself from spending more than my budget but I can totally see how it can become an addiction.
Its so hard because when common things like this come addictive they tend to sneak up on people overtime!
Yeah that’s so true you get addicted without even knowing it and it turns into a serious addiction so fast.
Receiving packages that you ordered a while ago is like finding loose change in your pocket. It almost feel like it’s free money when it’s not.
I agree with you – its quite similar to buying something on sale that wasn’t needed in the first place. It seems like a savings but if it convinced you to spend more than originally intended than it didn’t save you anything in the long run.
Addiction? Me? Of course not! *insert clown emoji*
“There is a thrill in being able to successfully order such coveted items” is literally me described in one sentence. I think that’s what got me addicted to shopping at Kylie Cosmetics in the first place.
I’m not surprised at all since I recognize myself in this a lot and how online shopping gives me that ‘I’M SO EXCITED’ feeling as well as when it arrives.
The hype truly sucks people in without people actually recognizing what is happening until those patterns of over-buying become habits. I agree that I def feel excited when I order something, as well as when the item actually arrives!
Oh well – at least we can recognize these feelings we attach to shopping!
This is so clever, I’ve never thought about it! Honestly, I’m mostly an online shopper because I’m not comfortable in crowds and I usually have coupons online. But the dopamine rush is a nice touch!
I used to do very little online shopping because I was always worried that my packages would get stolen living i the city. However, since moving home for grad school my online shopping increased lol.
I realized that I hate paying for shipping so much that I’ll often add more items to my cart that I don’t need just to avoid paying that shipping fee! Gotta work on that.
That’s something that doesn’t actually happen in Italy! Like delivery guys can’t leave the package out your door: they have to ring and if you aren’t at home the give you a notice and come the next day.
I hate paying for shipping too, I’ve done it a few times but I rather collect products and wait till I reach the shipping limit 🤫😂
You gave me so much to think about here, LP. I hadn’t thought about all the packaging and waste, the lack of returning, etc. with online shopping. Another thoughtful post!
I never thought about these negative implications until more recently, too.