Oxford University Press has chosen “brain rot” as its word of the year.
The word is defined as “a supposed deterioration in a person's mental or intellectual state, especially seen as the result of over-consumption of material (now especially online content) that is considered trivial or unchallenging. Also: something described as potentially lead to such deterioration.”
Some experts believe that constant, endless scrolling of social media and other online content does just that – Our brains rot.
Why do women get “the disease” from men? Experts explain the psychology behind the feeling
Behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Keira Bobnett, author of Unstoppable Brain, told Fox News Digital that there is a growing awareness of brain rot and its consequences.
Oxford University Press's choice of “brain rot” as its word of the year is to “pinpoint the issues,” according to one expert. (Istock)
“The zeitgeist is such that people are having difficulty with their attention span. They feel brain fog, their focus is less… and they can't do deep work,” said Bobinette, who is based in California.
“Then there's also the loneliness epidemic that's kind of been in the wake of this, because we can't really focus on anything, including Building relationships“.
Stuck in scrolling
A specific part of the brain, called the afferent, is responsible for engaging in endless scrolling, according to Bobinette.
The brain is a central part of the brain involved in many important functions, including motivation and decision making. But when activated, this area can also “kill our motivation to try.”
Study links mental health risks to this poison for those born in the 1960s and 1970s
“It's the essence of the moment where you know you should be doing one thing, and you do this other thing instead, like a 'doom pass,'” she said.
“This is the area of our brain that we feel depressed when triggered. We feel out of control, we feel impulsive, we feel addicted,” one neurologist said of Unleashed. (Istock)
Browsing social media is also a way to “unplug” and give the brain a rest after a long day, Bobnet said. This is “avoidance behavior” controlled by rein.
Excessive social media use has many of the same effects as drug abuse, one expert says
“Anytime you avoid something, you know that area of the brain is working,” she said.
This is the way Social media addiction This part of the brain could be affected, Bobnett warned, because stopping scrolling is “extremely painful.”
“There's a loneliness epidemic that's been in the wake of this, because we can't really focus on anything, including building relationships,” one expert said. (Istock)
This could lead to a “dangerous” loss of motivation, the neuroscientist warned.
“We all need motivation to live our lives and feel proud of ourselves and feel confident and get what we want,” she told Fox News Digital.
How to avoid brain rot
There's no one-size-fits-all solution to avoid brain rot, according to Bobinette.
The key is learning what works best for the individual, which involves “tweaking and adjusting as you go,” she said.
“Humans are very resilient,” she added. “Once we know the truth about our bodies, we can do something about it.”
Scrolling through social media is a way to “disconnect” and give the brain a break after a long day, a neuroscientist has said, and is an “avoidance behaviour”. (Istock)
Dr Don Grant, National Health Adviser Device management At Newport Healthcare in Los Angeles, he called on device makers and content producers to keep users tied to their devices.
“They're very smart, these creators who created these algorithms and they also tap into our limbic system — in the same way that the people who created slot machines did,” he told Fox News Digital. “Pull the handle…you never know what you're going to get.”
Grant said he was concerned about “the death of some things,” including imagination.
“We don't have to imagine anything anymore,” he said. “We pick up our devices every time. I'm worried about memory. I am.” Worried about education“.
Grant said he often hears from children that they spend eight hours on any given night browsing and watching videos, which “disables them.” Sleep hygiene“.
One expert said he often hears from children that they spend eight hours on any given night browsing and watching videos, which “disrupts their sleep hygiene.” (Istock)
“And I say, 'Okay, can you tell me one video that you remember?' “I don't yet have a single child who is able to remember anything he saw.”
“Our brain matter is diminishing, our memory is diminishing (and) our attention span is diminishing,” Grant warned.
“I'm worried about memory. I'm worried about education.”
The expert gave some advice to avoid falling into a “scroll of doom” of “endless and endless” content. Especially for children.
Because the Internet is “forever archived,” Grant noted that “FOMO,” or fear of missing out, is not a valid reason to stay online.
For more health articles, visit foxnews.com/health
“maybe Suggest calling a friend or FaceTime your grandma for the holidays.”
Grant also urges people to be more strategic about spending time online, dividing it into 80% “meaningful and legitimate” content and 20% entertainment.
One expert is urging people to be more strategic about spending time online, dividing it into 80% “meaningful and legitimate” content and 20% entertainment. (Istock)
“For digital hygiene and wellbeing, you can set limits, you can block access,” Grant said. “Set up technology-free times and areas in your home, in particular For families“.
“Go outside, move a muscle…play memory games, educational or intellectually challenging games.”
Click here to subscribe to our health newsletter
The expert also encourages people to ask themselves some questions after scrolling to help gauge the quality of time spent.
These questions might include: “Can you tell me how much time you spent online? Did you spend more time than you wanted to? Did you feel better?”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Grant added: “There is a perceived danger to virtual life and how we use our free time – in the end, do you really feel good about yourself?”
