Does watching reels have the same effect as alcohol on the brain? Neurologist explains a new study
'Short-form video addiction is a global public health threat with users in China spending 151 minutes daily on average, and 95.5 per cent of internet users engaged. This high-intensity 'instant reward' consumption not only impairs attention, sleep and mental health but also increases depression risk,' said study author Qiand Wang, a professor of psychology at Tianjin Normal University. Other research has shown how short-form videos can negatively impact attention spans, cognitive skills and even short-term memory.
'Since these are rapid-fire in nature, the brain seems overwhelmed in processing them. Short videos deliver high dopamine experiences with minimal effort, which can overstimulate the brain's reward pathways, the circuits which are also involved in addictive substances. Over a period of time, this can reduce sensory, natural rewards and increase impulsive behaviour,' says Dr Praveen Gupta, chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram.
How are short videos addictive?
Habitual usage of short videos has been linked to reduced attention capacity. Because reels serve up constant novelty, you flit from moment to moment seeking novelty than doing some deep-focussed thinking. As short videos are of varied content, there is frequent context-switching. This can impair the brain's prefrontal cortex, which guides our thoughts, behaviours and emotions based on the information it receives. Scrolling can affect its ability to hold and manipulate the information due to constant switching.
MRI studies have shown that increased screen usage in adolescents correlated with a thinner cortex. Since the prefrontal cortex is still developing in our mid-20s, short-form videos can distort our sense of judgment and regulation of information.
How do short videos impact sleep?
Night-time screen exposure, especially those linked with emotionally-arousing content, disrupts circadian rhythm or the body's sleep-wake cycle. This affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories. It is also a temporary storage area, where short-term memories are transferred to long-term memories. The hippocampus plays a key role in navigating our surroundings, remembering routes and understanding spatial relationships.
Can scrolling be compared to alcohol addiction?
While there is no direct scientific measure that equates brain damage from these videos with that from alcohol or tobacco, both alcohol and nicotine have been associated with direct neurotoxic effects, which these videos are also causing.
Pinching short videos floods the brain's reward system with a dopamine hiss, training it to crave constant novelty. Over a period of time, this erodes sustained attention and reshapes neural pathways in ways similar to addictive substances, especially in younger brains which are still under maturation. While it is not the same as chemical brain damage from alcohol or nicotine, the long-term rewiring of motivation and focus is a real concern.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Doctor explains how stronger legs can mean better brain health and cognitive strength in old age
'The more powerful your legs, the better your brain.' That's how Dhru Purohit opened his conversation with Louisa Nicola, a neurophysiologist based in New York City. It may sound like an oversimplification, but research shows there's more truth in that statement than most of us realize. How is it all connected? Nicola pointed to one of the most fascinating studies on the subject, an investigation that tracked 300 female twins, all around the age of 55. The scientists wanted to know if muscle fitness, measured through leg power, could predict cognitive changes over a 10-year period. This twin design was clever: by comparing twins, researchers could isolate the effects of leg power from genetics and early-life environment. Results were compelling—higher leg power at baseline significantly predicted better cognitive outcomes a decade later, even when adjusting for heart health, diabetes, smoking, diet, socioeconomic status, and other known dementia risk factors. But that is not all. A small subset of the twin pairs underwent MRI scans approximately 12 years into the study. These images revealed that participants with greater leg power at baseline also had larger total gray matter volume and healthier brain structures, such as smaller ventricles, years later. Lead researcher Dr Claire Steves explained in 2015: "When it came to cognitive ageing, leg strength was the strongest factor that had an impact in our study. Other factors such as heart health were also important, but the link with leg strength remained even after we accounted for these. We think leg strength is a marker of the kind of physical activity that is good for your brain." What experts believe? Nicola explained it in clear terms: 'If we cut it down, it means that the bigger the leg muscle, the bigger the brain.' Further, the broader scientific community has echoed these findings. Dr. Doug Brown of the Alzheimer's Society said the results add to growing evidence that physical activity benefits the brain as much as the body, though more research is still needed to fully understand the relationship. Dr. Simon Ridley of Alzheimer's Research UK also emphasized that both strength training and aerobic activity should be part of a balanced lifestyle to reduce dementia risk. So what does this mean in practical terms? Building strong legs isn't just about aesthetics or mobility; it could be a protective factor for your brain. Nicola suggests that simple but powerful exercises like squats and deadlifts can be the key to building leg strength. These compound movements engage multiple muscle groups, improve balance, boost circulation, and challenge your nervous system, all of which contribute to healthier aging.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Doctor explains how stronger legs can mean better brian health and cognitive strength in old age
'The more powerful your legs, the better your brain.' That's how Dhru Purohit opened his conversation with Louisa Nicola, a neurophysiologist based in New York City. It may sound like an oversimplification, but research shows there's more truth in that statement than most of us realize. How is it all connected? Nicola pointed to one of the most fascinating studies on the subject, an investigation that tracked 300 female twins, all around the age of 55. The scientists wanted to know if muscle fitness, measured through leg power, could predict cognitive changes over a 10-year period. This twin design was clever: by comparing twins, researchers could isolate the effects of leg power from genetics and early-life environment. Results were compelling—higher leg power at baseline significantly predicted better cognitive outcomes a decade later, even when adjusting for heart health, diabetes, smoking, diet, socioeconomic status, and other known dementia risk factors. But that is not all. A small subset of the twin pairs underwent MRI scans approximately 12 years into the study. These images revealed that participants with greater leg power at baseline also had larger total gray matter volume and healthier brain structures, such as smaller ventricles, years later. Lead researcher Dr Claire Steves explained in 2015: "When it came to cognitive ageing, leg strength was the strongest factor that had an impact in our study. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like SRM Online MBA – Empowering Future Leaders SRM Online Enquire Now Undo Other factors such as heart health were also important, but the link with leg strength remained even after we accounted for these. We think leg strength is a marker of the kind of physical activity that is good for your brain." What experts believe? Nicola explained it in clear terms: 'If we cut it down, it means that the bigger the leg muscle, the bigger the brain.' Further, the broader scientific community has echoed these findings. Dr. Doug Brown of the Alzheimer's Society said the results add to growing evidence that physical activity benefits the brain as much as the body, though more research is still needed to fully understand the relationship. Dr. Simon Ridley of Alzheimer's Research UK also emphasized that both strength training and aerobic activity should be part of a balanced lifestyle to reduce dementia risk. So what does this mean in practical terms? Building strong legs isn't just about aesthetics or mobility; it could be a protective factor for your brain. Nicola suggests that simple but powerful exercises like squats and deadlifts can be the key to building leg strength. These compound movements engage multiple muscle groups, improve balance, boost circulation, and challenge your nervous system, all of which contribute to healthier aging.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
What is the Sanskrit effect? How this ancient practice sharpens memory and focus
Credit: canva Scholars from all around the world have repeatedly praised India's ancient tradition of chanting mantras. It has been found that memorizing Vedic mantras can increase the size of our brain and enhance our problem-solving abilities and cognitive skills! Notwithstanding its enormous potential, Sanskrit has become somewhat outdated due to Western influence and the drive to study foreign languages in order to pursue appropriate professional possibilities. Neuroscientist James Hatrzell studied 21 commentators who frequently recited Sanskrit mantras. AIIMS carried out a similar study on Gayatri Mantra and the findings were shocking! A 10% increase in grey matter in both cerebral hemispheres was confirmed by the MRI test results. This experiment was termed as the ' Sanskrit effect '. Let's explore the nuances of this study. A one-of-a-kind study on Vedic pandits To explore the cognitive effects of the language Sanskrit, Dr. James and his team conducted a brain imaging study on 21 Vedic pandits. These pandits had been trained since their early childhood to memorise vast amounts of Sanskrit scripture, as the Shukla Yajurveda and the texts contain over 40,000- 100,000 words, memorised, not just for the content but their pronunciation was perfect, rhythm, pitch and tonal variation were also clear. The MRI scans revealed a fascinating fact. The study compared the brains of these pandits with people who did not undergo the same level of training. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The scans showed: Over 10% more grey matter across both sides of the brain. There was a slight enlargement in the right hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory formation and spatial navigation. As well as a thicker right temporal cortex, involved in processing sound, speech patterns, and voice recognition. This study clearly shows that years of structured Sanskrit chanting had rewired and strengthened the key areas of the brain. Why Sanskrit only? Sanskrit is not a language that simply reads; when it is recited with passion and precision, it improves various aspects of the brain and enhances mental focus. Sanskrit is a multi-sensory, cognitive workout. It engages memory, motor control (through mouth and breath). Over time, this kind of training appears to lead to neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience. Beyond spiritual significance: A tool for brain health This study does not claim that Sanskrit is a magical language; it just suggests that when learned and recited every day, it could have cognitive benefits for people of all ages. It opens up the possibility of using similar techniques as preventative tools against memory decline, dementia and other age-related cognitive disorders. The world is now dominated by fast consumption and fragmented attention but the focused practice of chanting Sanskrit mantras offer a powerful antidote, not just spiritually but also neurologically. In Dr. Hartzell's words, the 'Sanskrit Effect' is not about mysticism-it's about the brain's incredible ability to grow, adapt, and be shaped by our habits, especially those that involve focused, long-term mental effort. It shows a beautiful meeting point of tradition with science. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes, , messages , and quotes !
