Cue Extinction Lab

Cue Extinction Lab | PsychKit™ Games

Cue Extinction Lab

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Welcome to the Lab

This is a game to practice “urge surfing” and distress tolerance. It helps weaken the link between seeing a “cue” (a trigger) and acting on an impulse.

How to Play:

  1. A cue image (e.g., 🍕, 🍺) will appear.
  2. Your task is to use the slider to rate your urge level (0-100).
  3. Once you rate it, a “Delay Timer” begins.
  4. Your only job is to **wait** for the timer to finish. You can adjust the urge slider as your feeling changes.
  5. The game is won by simply *delaying* and not “acting.”

Move the slider to start the delay timer.

Practice Complete!

Great job! You just successfully practiced **5 rounds** of cue exposure and delay.

You’re teaching your brain that you don’t have to act on an urge, and that you are strong enough to let it pass.

Total Delays Practiced:

0

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About This Game

The Science: Cue Exposure & Extinction

This game is a form of **Cue-Exposure Therapy (CET)**. For cravings and impulses, a “cue” (like the sight of a donut) becomes strongly linked to an action (eating it) and a reward. CET works by breaking this link.

This game does two things:

  1. **Cue Exposure:** It exposes you to the cue in a safe setting.
  2. **Response Prevention:** It forces you to *delay* your response. By showing you the cue *without* the reward (the “action”), the link gets weaker.
This process is called **extinction**. You are teaching your brain that the cue no longer predicts the reward, which makes the urge fade over time. The “Urge Meter” helps you practice mindfulness (noticing your urge) and the “Delay Timer” is the active part of the therapy.

Scientific Effectiveness

Cue-Exposure Therapy is a well-established technique for treating substance use disorders and can also be applied to food cravings. This game is a skills-practice tool to help you learn the principles of distress tolerance and “urge surfing.”

References:

  • Conklin, C. A., & Tiffany, S. T. (2002). Applying extinction research and theory to cue-exposure addiction treatments. *Addiction, 97*(2).
  • Kakos, E. G., et al. (2019). Cue-Exposure Therapy for Food Cravings. *Current Addiction Reports, 6*(1).

⚠️ Important Warning & Disclaimer

This game is for practicing general impulse control. It is **not** a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for addiction or an eating disorder. If you are struggling with substance use or disordered eating, please seek help from a qualified professional.

Limitation of Liability & No Guarantee

This game is provided “as-is” by Joyful Psych Labs, without any warranties. It is **not therapy** and does not constitute medical advice. By using this game, you agree that you are doing so at your own risk. Joyful Psych Labs and PsychKit™ are not liable for any outcomes, damages, or distress that may result from its use. You are solely responsible for your actions and well-being.

© 2025 Joyful Psych Labs. All rights reserved.

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