This is Why Collecting Hot Toys Can Be So Addictive?

Collecting Hot Toys and other high-end collectibles can become an actual addiction. The brain does not differentiate between elements but rather what happens to them on a chemical and subconscious level. Maybe if we understand addiction better, then we will understand why some collectors consider themselves addicts.

Why is collecting Hot toys Collectables so addictive? Collecting Hot Toys collectibles can become so addictive because of a concept of addiction known as the psychology of collecting. This concept defines addiction by different factors and not substance abuse or other such commonly associated addictive behavior. It focuses on the emotional value of a collection and other similar contributing factors.

We will discuss and compare in detail addiction and how it relates to the collecting of sought-after high-end collectibles such as Hot Toys. We then go further detailing a concept of addiction known as the psychology of collecting.

Addiction as a disease regarding Hot Toys and other collectibles

Many collectors argue that they are addicted to collecting high-end figures such as Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, collectibles from NECA, and so on. This, in some respects, can cause problems in an individual’s life, including their relationships, and in some cases can actually be classified as a real addiction and can be classified into a sub-category of addiction explicitly known as a collection addiction (which we will discuss in the subsequent heading).

We need to classify and define addiction and then relate it to collectors of Hot Toys and other such high-end collectibles to establish if this is definitively true. Hence,

Addiction is a biopsychosocial disease (disorder) that can be categorized by the repetitive use or engagement of specific behavior. This triggers the brain’s reward system through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and develops over time from chronically high levels of exposure.

This basically means that some individuals are susceptible to getting addicted to a specific habit or element through prolonged periods of exposure that bring them excitement.

Most people think that addiction only relates to drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. However, these substances and habits are not the only elements that can trigger these mechanisms in the brain.

The thrill of looking for a collectible, purchasing one that you have wanted for a long time, getting to open it up, posing it, putting it in your display cabinet, and so on are all factors that can trigger these mechanisms in the brain creating a real addiction.

This means that collecting high-end figures such as Hot Toys and other sought-after collectibles can actually turn into a real addiction.

This is very true and apparent with individuals even going onto forums asking for help, asking whether or not anybody else feels like they are addicted to collecting, and trying to come to grips with collecting figures such as Hot Toys is an actual addiction.

Plastic Crack

As we had seen earlier, collecting hot toys or other models can become a serious addiction. Collection addiction should not be mixed up with the in-joke amongst collecters of Plastic crack. When collectors refer to ‘plastic crack,’ they are more sharing their love for collection through humor, than showing a serious concern for the subject.

Psychology of collecting and how it relates to addiction and collectibles

Besides being related to substance abuse, gambling, and other forms of exciting behavior, we now know that addiction. It can also and does relate to the collecting of high-end models as well.

Collecting is such an involved branch of addiction that it has been studied and classified as a branch of addiction. The scope and detail needed to explain the entire concept of collecting as addictions are beyond this article’s scope; however, we will discuss the general aspects so individuals who collect high-end figures such as Hot Toys can understand if any of these factors apply to them.

Concept of collecting

Here are some clues that may mean you have an addiction to collecting

Collectors don’t value their collections with a monetary value but with an emotional one.
Collections allow individuals to be nostalgic, relive childhood moments, feelings, and memories.
Their collections help ease feelings of insecurity and anxiety that would otherwise be apparent and overwhelming.
For other individuals, like with substance abuse, it is based on a thrill (searching and finding the perfect piece for their collection).

What is collected

A person who suffers from an addiction to collecting will almost certainly and can collect anything. It does not matter what it is but the emotional value placed within the aspect of it. In the case of figure collectors, it is high-end figures such as Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, and other figures of high quality.

Conclusion

We discovered that collecting sought-after high-end figures such as Hot Toys and other collectibles of the same quality can become an actual addiction. An individual’s brain does not work on the concept of addiction relating to any one specific element but rather what happens in the brain and the emotions and subconscious reasoning behind the feelings when a person becomes addicted to something.

The feeling of being secure, finding that perfect Hot Toy, Sideshow Collectible, opening it up, putting it on display, even the smell when you open up the packaging can trigger mechanisms in the brain that can lead to an addiction of sorts.

Depending on the person, this could affect their home environment and their relationships if it gets out of control. One thing to note is that most collectors of Hot Toys and other collectibles are usually well-adapted functioning adults. If you feel that you have an addiction, make sure that the bills are paid before you spend thousands of dollars on Hot Toys or any other collectibles.