Is Trading also addictive?

[mirakal]

The fact that we are seeing a lot of traders losing their capital, that does not only indicate that majority of the traders are not good traders, but it leads me to a realization that some of them are actually trading addicts who fail to take in control of their emotions and just decide to trade whenever they want to, regardless if the market is positive enough to trade or is actually in a negative position.

Gambling can be addictive, even trading as well as both pointed out to making money. Where there is money, there is also high cases of addiction.

[shinratensei_]

The fact that we are seeing a lot of traders losing their capital, that does not only indicate that majority of the traders are not good traders, but it leads me to a realization that some of them are actually trading addicts who fail to take in control of their emotions and just decide to trade whenever they want to, regardless if the market is positive enough to trade or is actually in a negative position.

Gambling can be addictive, even trading as well as both pointed out to making money. Where there is money, there is also high cases of addiction.

In hyperliquid you'd see so many people opening reckless trade, like the recent one james wynn where pnl is -70 million.
It's crazy to me and how some people can bet so much with leverage.

It's also obvious that trading is addictive as well but we shouldn't ignore the fact that there are tons and tons of people who actually make profit.

[mich]

Well yes I do think it is for some people it can be addicting. Trading is like gambling and that is a addictive thing to do. If we can try to make some fast profit it can make us have a addictive personality.
But I do think there is some traders that is not addicted to doing it. But I do think if a trader does start to do it at a early age well then they might become addicted to it. Just because they want to make some fast profit.

[jcojci]

Yes, someone can become addicted to trading. That will happen if he can not manage his trading time. While the market is online 24/7, we are free to trade, but we must when we can trade. We can not spend too long to trade because we can be tired and not focus on our trade.

Someone will be sign becoming a trading addict if he have a difficulty to leave trading even for a short term. His minds will telling that he can profit on the next trade. But if he can manage his time and know what is important to do, he will not just trade without doing anything.

[EarnOnVictor]

That's very incorrect. As I said earlier, trading can be addictive as well, just like any other thing you can think of. Once you do it uncontrollably, you are addicted to it. But the addiction to trading can never be compared with that of gambling. When have you heard that people and organisations are so worried about trading addiction? It's not even a popular discussion. Or when have you seen regulations mandating a self-exclusion feature on trading platforms? That should speak volumes on its own. People have better control over the addiction of trading than gambling, so we don't compare their magnitude as the same.

There are many articles and videos online that claims that day traders complaining about addiction are getting more. You can watch this video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo1G-c6Oe5s

If you go by anyhow articles you found, and by YouTube/Social media posts, you would make a mistake. Find a reliable article source from true professionals, especially NGOs and the health-related field. But don't forget, it's not about trading being addictive (it is addictive), but which one is more addictive between trading and gambling.

What's happening around you should have told you even more about it. How many traders do you know who keep losing and continue? But you can say of many gamblers, right? Yours aside, I've met countless traders and gamblers, but I tell you, today, I only know one person trading, but most of the gamblers continue to gamble. That's my point, and the reason is that the traders who were addicted often quit trading easily compared to gambling.

Even Google AI information about it is yes from the results it gathered.

AI will mistake you if you don't know how to ask the question correctly. Just now, I asked, and it told me both (of course, for an obvious reason). But when I scrutinise it further, it emphatically says that Gambling is more addictive and dangerous than Trading.

[fuguebtc]

So the question is, can one becomes addicted to trading same way gambling can be addictive?

If yes what are the sign to know that one is becoming a trading addicts?

In my opinion, anything can be addictive, especially things that involve making quick money like gambling, trading or investing.


Many people will say that investing and trading addiction is a good thing, unlike gambling or drugs but to me, only bad things are called addictions. So never become an addict.

The signs of trading addiction are the same as any other addiction: obsessing over it, trading out of control, neglecting other responsibilities and losing balance in daily life...anyone who has these signs, they are addicted to trading. But most addicts don't realize it, only those around them do.

[Mpamaegbu]

Future derivative trading is liken to gambling since both activities have similar outcomes and results which is either you gain it all your you lose everything...

Is there any form of trading where one can't lose all? Even in Spot trading, where people buy and hodl for future speculation, one can still lose it all if the project dumps or goes rogue.

So the question is, can one becomes addicted to trading same way gambling can be addictive?

Yes, definitely one can become addicted to trading. Anything we do repeatedly and enjoy doing is bound to lead us to addiction. However, if we're making money off such an engagement we may not see it as addiction or something bad. There's no profitable trader who isn't addicted but they won't see it as addiction. Rather they see it as earning a living.

If yes what are the sign to know that one is becoming a trading addicts?

Regular engagements is number one sign. Day dreaming you're indulging in that habit even when you're doing something else, is another sign. These two are my way of knowing addiction.

[Charles-Tim]

If you go by anyhow articles you found, and by YouTube/Social media posts, you would make a mistake. Find a reliable article source from true professionals, especially NGOs and the health-related field.

The first link I posted is about a rehabilitation centre that said at least 1% of crypto traders may be addicted to trading. The second link on the second post is about something similar. I know how lies can be online but I do not consider this one as one. From how trading is, I also think it can be addictive as a result of dopamine effect. Just as people make money and lose money from gambling, the same dopamine effect can occur if it is trading.

But don't forget, it's not about trading being addictive (it is addictive), but which one is more addictive between trading and gambling.

The OP asked if trading can be addictive like gambling, he did not ask of which one is more addictive. Let me give more reasons that trading can be addictive.

What I saw about trading in the past is that out of many traders that are losing, some people among them will stop trading while some people among them will change to swing trading or holding, while few will still continue to gamble and probably lose. I can find out where I read about it and it was a research. Although, I did not read the methodology used for the research.

95% of gamblers are estimated to be losing, while 85% of crypto traders are estimated to be losing. But people will continue to trade which I think will cause the addiction because high percentage of people are losing while trading. The addicts could be less in number if compared to gambling but I think there are people that will one way or the other be addicted to trading. If 85% of traders are losing, I do not think many traders should be trading by now but many people continue to trade.

[gunhell16]

For over a year plus I have been an active trader's mostly I trade on derivative market, oh yeah the most risky form of trading, since you can blow off your balance to liquidation if the market goes against your position, but that is not why we are here with this topic, but let dive into it straight away.

Future derivative trading is liken to gambling since both activities have similar outcomes and results which is either you gain it all your you lose everything, but with proper management one can still make something out of this risky trading pattern but once you hit the jackpot, it becomes almost a go to point whenever you want to trade.

So the question is, can one becomes addicted to trading same way gambling can be addictive?

If yes what are the sign to know that one is becoming a trading addicts?

Honestly yes, trading is also addictive, especially if you really decided to learn to trade in the crypto space. And what's even more intense is if you experience big profits here and then you know how to get passive income from it. Not every day but before the end of the week for sure you will have a profit to get.

Then it's better to be addicted to trading compared to gambling which sometimes causes stress to other gamblers if it is not managed correctly, in trading too because you will really learn
and study a lot and once you know and apply it correctly, it will benefit you for a long time too.

[Joeboy]

Addiction is when an individual developes a strong and uncontrollable urge to keep doing something even though that action may have negative consequences.
So based of on the definition, I would say yeah, it is possible to get addicted to trading. At first it may seem like an interest or maybe a passion. But when you start noticing that you cannot go a day or even a minute without checking the market or trading, then I would say that addiction is setting in. Some persons even get addicted to trading just because of the loss he or she incurred in the past. So in order to make up for this loss they get addicted to trading even at the expense of their mental health. What am trying to say here is that our emotional state may sometimes trigger our addiction especially in trading
In this post I made https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5545198.msg65431187#msg65431187  I talked about how emotion may somehow affect our trade. So when ever you notice that you mood or emotions are tied to whether you made money that
 day or not, or you find yourself hiding how much time or money that you are spending in trading it may be a time to take a step back, this is because trading is meant to be done with a clear mind. Balance is everything

[DanWalker]

It's also obvious that trading is addictive as well but we shouldn't ignore the fact that there are tons and tons of people who actually make profit.

Trading is definitely addictive. But trading is not easy and is considered much riskier than other ways of making money in the financial markets. I can agree with you that there are people who have made profits from trading but I am not sure that many people who have made profits from it.

There are no specific numbers, but according to some studies and statistics: 70 to 80% of investors in the forex market lose money, only 10-20% make a profit. Likewise, only about 20% of investors make a profit from the stock market. This rate is definitely much lower for crypto, as the market is more unpredictable due to manipulation, so it would be incorrect to say that many people make money from trading.

[milewilda]

For over a year plus I have been an active trader's mostly I trade on derivative market, oh yeah the most risky form of trading, since you can blow off your balance to liquidation if the market goes against your position, but that is not why we are here with this topic, but let dive into it straight away.

Future derivative trading is liken to gambling since both activities have similar outcomes and results which is either you gain it all your you lose everything, but with proper management one can still make something out of this risky trading pattern but once you hit the jackpot, it becomes almost a go to point whenever you want to trade.

So the question is, can one becomes addicted to trading same way gambling can be addictive?

If yes what are the sign to know that one is becoming a trading addicts?

Honestly yes, trading is also addictive, especially if you really decided to learn to trade in the crypto space. And what's even more intense is if you experience big profits here and then you know how to get passive income from it. Not every day but before the end of the week for sure you will have a profit to get.

Then it's better to be addicted to trading compared to gambling which sometimes causes stress to other gamblers if it is not managed correctly, in trading too because you will really learn
and study a lot and once you know and apply it correctly, it will benefit you for a long time too.

Some sort of on which just like on what you have said that on the moment that when you do have that zero knowledge and then later on at the time that you are gradually making up some few wins into your strategies and gaining up the idea on how it works then your mind will be having that kind of boost up when it comes to interest on which this is that very common or could really happen on a certain trader or an individual. There are just that those times or moments that those momentum will be breaken out at the t ime that you would be suffering on some huge loses on which its very possible for it to happen .Trading could be addictive but make it sure that you wont be losing off track when it comes into your finances because usually traders do end up on becoming a gamble once they do have that kind of confidence in regarding into their trades. Its never been that recommended about having on too much confidence because at the moment that you do have it then it will be that so hard for you to make up such control. Trading does need up that serious approach  because we are talking about long term aspects on here. Its impossible that you cant be able to determine about in between gambling and trading on which when it comes into risks handling or management. Addictive on the sense that you can make big money once you do made up some good profitable trades but of course dont make yourself that being that too positive all the time because we do know that disappointment could happen yet the market isnt always that giving but also it could take up some profits and losing it back. If you arent that good when it comes to moderation and control not only on your finances but also into your emotions then you will be hardly having that kind of good control into this aspect.

[Kelward]

Like gambling addiction, traders has the same trait to become addicted because they also face uncertainties and can chase loses if they can't control themselves. If you don't have control to stop trading it can be said that you're addicted to it, perhaps being obsessed and staying glued to your device without taking enough breaks for days. Trading is hard and some traders can be become obsessed with trying to find the better strategy without getting answers, meaning that they're still losing, it can take a lot from a trader. I've realized that trading is not for everybody, if you're not making profit it's better to move on instead of being depressed and addicted.

[Oluwa-btc]

On several occasions, I've noticed that trading and gambling shares similar features as such like the pain of losses and the quest to make more gains(instant financial prosperity).Some traders can even be unaware that they're solely in an addictive situation.Traders with addictive personalities always show emotional signs,change in behaviors and several other visible addictive signals given.

[Uruhara]

So the question is, can one becomes addicted to trading same way gambling can be addictive?

If yes what are the sign to know that one is becoming a trading addicts?

Well that's very possible. So the answer is yes. Especially if someone has succeeded in making quite a large profit. then usually he will trade more often.

And actually the characteristics of people who are addicted to trading are when they start to no longer care what money they use for trading capital. Usually a good trader always uses capital that is ready if he has to lose or money that is ready to take the risks that will be taken and this money is not money for daily needs or so on. Well, for people who are addicted, they no longer care where the money they use as capital comes from. And usually people who are addicted when they experience losses then they always tend to chase losses and hope to be able to reverse the capital that has been lost due to losses or losses in trading. Apart from that, people who are addicted are always closely related to emotional matters, and the characteristics are that sometimes they feel excessively anxious when they don't open the market and they tend to have rapid emotional fluctuations. Irritability and so on. And many more. And yeah it would be almost the same as people who are addicted to gambling too.

[masulum]

Like gambling addiction, traders has the same trait to become addicted because they also face uncertainties and can chase loses if they can't control themselves. If you don't have control to stop trading it can be said that you're addicted to it, perhaps being obsessed and staying glued to your device without taking enough breaks for days. Trading is hard and some traders can be become obsessed with trying to find the better strategy without getting answers, meaning that they're still losing, it can take a lot from a trader. I've realized that trading is not for everybody, if you're not making profit it's better to move on instead of being depressed and addicted.

Well this is depending on own perspective, I think, spot trading is not the same as gambling, there must be a loss, but this is more like a change in value, it can increase significantly, or even have no value. However, we still save coins that can be saved for long or shert terms. Gambling, there is no such thing. Futures, maybe it can be considered gambling, because there are no coins we can save, we can only get loss or win. This can be addictive, but spot is more about strategy in trading will not making you addicted. Trading is not for everyone, it is tru, but holders can be for everyone. However, to be a holder, must understand at least fundamental analysis of the coin that will be purchased to holds. BTC ^(NFA/DYOR) is highly recommended over altcoins.

[Zoomic]

Yea, anyone can get addicted to anything and trading is not an exception. The funny thing is that most gamblers are showing signs of addiction but are not aware that they are addicted but think that it is part of the stress that comes with trading.

We see traders who are always checking the markets, neglecting their responsibilities to themselves and their families just to focus on their trades. No rest for themselves but they tag it to be trading stress. Even when they see themselves losing and getting all emotional.

A good percentage of traders are addicted but they are yet to realise it

[Questat]

Well yes I do think it is for some people it can be addicting. Trading is like gambling and that is a addictive thing to do. If we can try to make some fast profit it can make us have a addictive personality.
But I do think there is some traders that is not addicted to doing it. But I do think if a trader does start to do it at a early age well then they might become addicted to it. Just because they want to make some fast profit.

It’s obvious that trading can be addictive, and those who easily fall for it are mostly those greedy traders that are just after for quick profits, and those traders who keep chasing their losses because they can’t afford to see theirselves not profiting at all.

However, if trading addiction can bring us so much profits in the long run, then all traders will find their way to get addicted. But we all know addiction in general always comes with negative consequences and outcome, that’s why as much as possible we should never reach that point of getting addicted into trading.

[justdimin]

As a trader I can say that it can indeed happen. In fact, I may have been in a phase where I was always uneasy when I didn't open the market one day or one time. But maybe my case is a little different. That is, I am too used to seeing market movements in real time over a period of hours or even throughout the day. So when I don't see it then I feel anxious. And it's become a habit for me to always want to open the market even when I'm on holiday. I'm not sure if it's an addiction or what. But it definitely happened to me.

It's just that I do have a reason behind all that. because I always don't want to miss a good moment in the market. So I always want to monitor it all the time. But because now I am a father with two children who also need my attention. So I started managing my time more neatly. I have time for trading, Then for family and then for other activities. Like sports. I even started practicing push ups again after a long time. I even sometimes want to post my number of push ups in topics on BTT. but I'm still embarrassed by how little I can do in a day. Sorry OOT. 

I would guess that "addiction" could be very different and difficult so it may not be the exact word we should use. Maybe like doing it is the way to move? Because, if you like doing something and you are capable of doing it too and it's not harming you then it should not be addiction. I know it's not the same, but let me give you a simple example, are you addicted to "eating" or "drinking water"? Of course not, those are things you HAVE TO do right?

But you do not have to live in a home, you are free to sleep outside, there is nothing biologically preventing that, maybe during cold times, you can sleep somewhere warmer, but we do not need a home to live, right? Well, we still do, hence not everything has to be addiction, or at least called an addiction, trading is one of those things. I know I gave terrible examples, but I just wanted to make sure it's clear.

[CageMabok]

On several occasions, I've noticed that trading and gambling shares similar features as such like the pain of losses and the quest to make more gains(instant financial prosperity).Some traders can even be unaware that they're solely in an addictive situation.Traders with addictive personalities always show emotional signs,change in behaviors and several other visible addictive signals given.

Things that look similar cannot all be immediately considered the same because basically trading and gambling have different definitions each even though they both have risks, namely the risk of loss. But if a trader who plays more often in the spot trading area, of course the trader can still sacrifice his time to wait for an increase in price if he is experiencing a loss. However, this does not exist in gambling because when a gambler has lost and lost because of it, he must find other capital if he wants to play the same game again.