I will be the first to admit I am chronic online. Whether I am deeply diving on reality TV or more than a new TIKTOK direction (caring for a cup of “exciting water”?) If the brain rot is real. Sometimes, I will capture myself to scroll via Instagram while Watching TV, apparently unable to focus. If you can associate, you may face a moderate condition of “popcorn brain”.
Before you ask – yes, it’s a real thing. The informal term in 2011 was formulated by David Levy, a researcher at the University of Washington, and is used to name a very specific occurrence. “The popcorn brain refers to a mental state described as it extends to a period of fragmented attention, scattered ideas, and quickly shifting from one topic to another without hesitation,” says Rina Patel. A type like how popcorn kernels quickly open in thin popcorn.
While the brain describes popcorn as a real phenomenon, clinical neuropathic specialist Jessica McCarthy, Psychi, explains that it is not considered a disorder or technical disease (which means that there are no official diagnostic criteria). Instead, the name indicates a chaotic mental state that is usually caused by excessive screen time and excessive stimulation caused by the Internet.
With this in mind, how are you? In reality You know if you have popcorn brain? And if you suspect that you may deal with it, is there anything you can do to relieve symptoms (or completely prevent them)? Reading to know what mental health experts think.
Experts appeared in this article
Rina Patel He is an expert of paternity and motherhood, a positive psychologist, and an authorized behavior analyst from the Board of Directors.
Jessica McCarthyPsyd, is a clinical nervous psychiatrist, founder and clinical director Elements of psychological services.
What is popcorn brain?
Dr. McCarthy says that the popcorn brain is a colloquial term used to describe a brief attention period – usually caused by excessive screen time and exaggerated stimulation from social media. “When the brain is constantly bombed with sensory information such as flashing lights, attractive sounds, clicking and hitting a finger on the screen, there is a greater possibility of the pattern of scattered thought and chaos that resembles chaos in the flee of popcorn appeared simultaneously.”
With many stimuli that your screen is constantly overwhelmed, it may be difficult for the brain to keep up with it. Dr. McCarthy explains that this may lead to an abbreviation of attention. “It seems as if the brain is exposed to a high motivation environment, such as a casino or a park, every time it is in front of the screen.”
Again, “Popcorn’s Brain” is an accredited term, not a medical diagnosis. But although modern screens are a relatively recent phenomenon, there is evidence that increasing the screen time is linked to a decrease in the attention of attention periods, according to the review of the analysis of scientific evidence in Global Psychology. For example, a study in Plos one I found that the pre -school stage who spent more than two hours a day on the screens were more likely.
What causes the brain to popcorn, exactly?
While studies have found measurable differences in the brains of heavy and light screen users, it is impossible to determine whether the use of the media causes these differences, as well as a review of global psychology. But experts have some theories on how to change the screen time.
Dr. McCarthy suggests that your mind becomes a “trainer” to receive immediate gratification and reward through the use of the screen, especially when you emerge online and bounce from different applications or web pages within seconds. When you scroll through the content, your mind releases chemicals that make you feel satisfied, such as endorphins or dopamine, she says. This can help you feel tension or happiness. But it is possible that your mind will ask you to reach your phone at any time when you feel less discomfort, as she explained.
Over time, exposure to high stimulus content can lead to training what your mind considers a “reward”, and in the end the brain may view technology as a threshold for contentment, says Dr. McCarthy. She says this may make it difficult for other activities to meet the same threshold, which reduces the possibility that activities outside technology are attractive.
Do you have popcorn brain?
How do you know if you have popcorn brain? “If you feel that you have 100 open tabs in your mind at any specific moment and you cannot close or complete a task, you may have a popcorn brain,” Patel says. Additional marks may include:
- Inability to focus
- Increase
- anxiety
- exhaustion
Popcorn brain risks
Below are common risks associated with the phenomenon, according to Dr. McCarthy:
- Attention: Popcorn brain mainly puts your mind in increasing mental speed, which leads to low concentration and lack of attention.
- anxiety: The huge amount of information from the brain can cause popcorn feelings of sadness, exhaustion and frustration, especially if productivity is affected.
- Difficult social upbringing: Social media can create feelings of interconnection, but they can also facilitate isolation and exclude opportunities for communication between people. In addition, the more technology depends on the technology, the less motivation and energy to create meaningful connections in the actual time.
- Physical health issues: Increased time can negatively affect sleep, position, vision, and levels of physical activity, whether in the short or long term.
- Suffering delay: If the brain becomes used to receiving a reward or reduces discomfort immediately with a few clicks from a button available easily, it may reduce your ability to withstand discomfort.
How to prevent popcorn brain
It is easy and simple: reduce screen time. It is easier to say than doing it, but Dr. McCarthy suggests allowing yourself a few minutes of scrolling after the task is complete, or if it is a longer task, after completing a specific part of the mission. If completing your tasks is overwhelming, Patel recommends organizing your tasks as important. This can help you intentionally and systematically create a routine to eliminate deviations and create focus.
Patel says that turning off the notifications and verifying messages only in specified times is another incredibly effective strategy to enhance the focus. So, instead of checking your phone when the sounds are, check your time, adding Dr. McCarthy. Finally, do your best to scabing time intentionally. One PLOS study found that children who participated in organized physical activity for two hours a week were less likely to experience mental health consequences than screen time. But whether he is practicing or grabbing a phone free of phone with a friend, Dr. McCarthy recommends finding a temptation to run your phone.
– Additional reports from Chandler Planet
Andi Breitowich is an independent writer based in Chicago and graduates from Emori University and the Medll College of Press at North Westren University. Her work appeared in PS, women’s health, international, and other places.
Chandler Plante (she/she) is an assistant health and fitness editor in PS. She has more than four years of experience in professional journalism, and she was previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Group Ladygunn, Millie and Bustle Digital.
