Doomscrolling’s “Brain Rot” Effects on Your Mental Health
If you’ve been on the internet the past year, you’ve probably heard the term “brain rot.” It’s not a new term by any means. According to the internet’s meme database Know Your Meme, “brain rot” has been used since the mid-2000s and has continued to rise and dip in relevance. However, with the rise of short-form content, brain rot has made a comeback that may significantly impact the current generation.
WHAT IS IT?
Brain rot, in its most modern context, refers to quickly made content that has low quality and typically involves nonsensical imagery or audio. Brain rot content in and of itself is not necessarily harmful in small doses, but an overabundance has shown negative mental effects that are indicative of a type of “brain rot.” The quick consumption of content and the search for dopamine in non-beneficial content is often associated with “doomscrolling.” This refers to the state users find themselves in when they instinctively scroll through content for long periods, hoping to find the content engaging enough to keep their attention longer than the other piles of content they search through. This behavior is often associated with a certain type of “gambling” in the digital lottery, scrolling through post after post until the right content comes up and rewards the brain with dopamine.
DO I HAVE IT?
How do you know if brain-rot content is truly rotting your brain? The mental health clinic Newport Institute states that there tends to be a decrease in:
Organizational Skills
Problem-Solving
Working Memory
…and other commonly associated cognitive abilities. This was reported through a study conducted of over 1000 adults between the ages of 18 and 27 who reported negative effects in each area due to doom scrolling. Additionally, a decline in self-perception and a rise in stress, anxiety, and depression may be indicators of brain rot. Constant comparisons and the constant, hungry search for dopamine are recipes for a mental health disaster. Tech magazine PCWorld also states that people who are exposed to too much doom scrolling may face:
Insomnia
A Decrease in Productivity
Physical Health Issues (as a result of chronic stress)
So, if you’ve been engaging in repeated patterns of doom scrolling and are experiencing these problems, chances are that your doom scrolling is leading to brain rot (especially if the content you find is low-quality “brain-rot” videos themselves that are showing up more frequently). How do we combat this?
SAVING THE BRAIN
There are two sections to care for: the digital world and the physical. The Newport Institute recommends limiting screen time or even doing full digital detoxes within the digital world. I hide my phone somewhere so that my brain won’t see it. If I can see it in my peripheral vision, I’ll probably pick it up within the next 5 minutes. “Out of sight, out of mind” can be a truly practical solution for this. Additionally, when you find yourself on social media, following sources of positivity and educational content can be great ways to restore the brain and leave it feeling better after each session!
Within the physical world, it’s important to live in a reality of non-digital media to balance the moments of digital consumption. Newport Institute recommends keeping up with friends and family, meeting in real life, engaging in hobbies, and getting support if needed. My real-world moments occur during coffee breaks, music, and conversations with my partner or family with the phone down if it’s unnecessary. I’ve found this to be incredibly helpful, and if you have suggestions, feel free to share them!
By being self-aware of these behaviors and rebalancing digital media intake, we can slowly combat the addictive behaviors of doom-scrolling and brain rot and live happier, healthier, and flourishing lives!
Don’t brain rot; gain thought. Thanks for reading!
