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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Does watching reels affect your brain like alcohol? Understanding the hidden impact
That 'just five more minutes' of Instagram Reels or TikTok can easily turn into an hour-long scroll-fest, a quick laugh here, a cute animal video there, and before you know it, the sun has set. It feels harmless, even relaxing. But your brain might not agree. A peer-reviewed study in NeuroImage led by Professor Qiang Wang from Tianjin Normal University has uncovered something startling: bingeing on short videos doesn't just entertain you, it can physically change your brain. Researchers found that heavy short-video users show increased activity in the brain's reward pathways, the same circuits that light up with alcohol or gambling, along with altered connections in areas controlling impulse, focus, and emotions. In simple terms, those harmless clips may be overfeeding your brain's dopamine system, dulling its ability to feel pleasure from everyday activities, and even making it harder to control your scrolling habit. Your 'quick break' might actually be training your brain to crave constant, fast-paced hits of stimulation and struggle without them. How watching reels stimulates the brain Short videos are engineered to keep you hooked. Every swipe, tap, and autoplay transition delivers a quick burst of dopamine, the brain's 'feel-good' chemical responsible for pleasure, motivation, and reward. Platforms use fast pacing, catchy audio, and unpredictable content to maximise this effect, creating a loop where your brain is constantly anticipating the next hit. Over time, these rapid-fire dopamine surges can desensitise your brain's reward system. Activities that once brought genuine joy, such as reading a book, enjoying a meal, or having a face-to-face conversation, may start to feel dull in comparison. This is not just a metaphor. Neuroscientists have found that this pattern closely mirrors the neurological changes seen in alcohol or gambling addiction. In both cases, repeated overstimulation reshapes how the brain processes pleasure, making it harder to feel satisfied without the intense, fast-paced stimulation your brain has grown used to. In other words, the more you scroll, the more your brain learns to crave the scroll, and the less it responds to life's slower, subtler pleasures. Cognitive and attention effects of reels The rapid-fire nature of Reels and TikToks can take a toll on your prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, focus, and emotional regulation. This is the brain's control centre, and when it is overstimulated, the effects can be surprisingly disruptive. You may find it harder to concentrate on a single task, remember details from a conversation, or resist the urge to act on impulse. What makes it more concerning is the brain's growing appetite for novelty. The more you feed it quick, unpredictable bursts of content, the less satisfied it feels with slower, more deliberate activities. Reading a long article, working through a project, or even sitting quietly with your own thoughts can start to feel uncomfortable or boring. Neuroscientists note that these changes share similarities with the cognitive impairments seen in alcohol use. In both cases, the brain's ability to regulate behaviour and maintain focus becomes compromised, making everyday tasks more mentally taxing than they should be. Over time, this constant digital 'buzz' can rewire how your mind operates, shifting it towards instant gratification at the expense of deep, sustained thinking. Sleep disruption from late-night scrolling Watching reels late at night, especially emotionally charged content, can quietly sabotage your brain's natural rhythms. Your circadian clock relies on predictable light and activity patterns to know when it is time to rest. The bright light from your phone, combined with rapid, stimulating visuals, sends mixed signals, delaying the release of melatonin and keeping your brain in an alert state. This late-night stimulation does not just rob you of sleep. It also impacts the hippocampus, the brain's hub for learning and memory formation. When the hippocampus is disrupted, it becomes harder to store new information, recall details, and process complex thoughts. Over time, this pattern can chip away at your mental clarity, leaving you foggy in the mornings and less sharp throughout the day. Consistently sacrificing restful sleep for endless scrolling can also create long-term cognitive strain. The brain needs deep, uninterrupted rest to repair connections, flush out toxins, and consolidate memories. Without it, you may find yourself relying on caffeine, struggling with focus, and feeling mentally drained even after what seemed like a 'full night's sleep.' Tips to enjoy social media without harming your brain Set daily limits: Use built-in app timers to reduce binge-watching. Take regular breaks: Step away every 20–30 minutes to reset your focus. Prioritise sleep: Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime. Engage in real-world rewards: Exercise, hobbies, or socialising can help balance dopamine levels naturally. While reels can be fun, the findings from this study highlight that their addictive potential and cognitive effects are not to be underestimated. What starts as a harmless scroll can, over time, affect how your brain processes pleasure, focus, and memory. Excessive short-video viewing may also interfere with sleep cycles, disrupt emotional regulation, and reduce your ability to concentrate on complex tasks. This makes it important to approach such content mindfully. Setting screen time limits, taking regular breaks, and choosing more balanced online activities can help protect your brain health. By practising digital discipline, you can enjoy entertainment without sacrificing mental clarity, mood stability, and overall well-being. Also read| Why doctors advise against salt and sugar for babies: Balancing tradition and nutrition Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes, messages , and quotes !
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
TikTok, Instagram Reels, And Shorts May Be Rewiring Your Brain, Study Warns
A new brain imaging study has found that people addicted to short-form video platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts may be less sensitive to financial losses and more prone to impulsive decisions. Published in the journal NeuroImage, the research shows that such behavioural changes are linked to specific patterns of brain activity, particularly in regions responsible for evaluating rewards and guiding actions. The study draws parallels between short-form video addiction and other addictive behaviours like gambling and substance abuse. In both cases, individuals tend to prioritise immediate rewards over long-term consequences. The research warns that constant exposure to endless scrolling and personalised content on these platforms may alter brain function by encouraging instant gratification and repeated use. This may lead to a reduced ability to weigh risks and make sound decisions, especially when it comes to money. "Short-form video addiction is a global public health threat-with users in China spending 151 minutes daily on average, and 95.5% 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 Qiang Wang, a professor of psychology at Tianjin Normal University. "While substance addictions (e.g., gambling, alcohol) consistently show reduced sensitivity to losses, how short-form video addiction alters the brain's evaluation of 'risk vs. loss' was virtually unexplored. Thus, we pioneered an integration of computational modeling (DDM) and neuroimaging (fMRI) to uncover: 1). Whether addicts undervalue long-term costs of usage (e.g., time loss, health risks); 2). How neural evidence accumulation speed and motor-sensory networks drive such decision biases." Specifically, the research team wanted to understand whether individuals who report more symptoms of short-form video addiction also show reduced "loss aversion"-a psychological tendency to give greater weight to losses than to equivalent gains. Loss aversion is generally considered a protective feature of decision-making, as it helps people avoid risky behavior. Previous studies have found that people with gambling disorder, alcohol dependence, and certain drug addictions show reduced loss aversion, but little was known about how this pattern might emerge in non-substance behavioral addictions, like compulsive short-video use.
