Sean Cate

Sean Cate

January 14, 2025

Experts Warn About ‘Brain Rot’ and How It Can Seriously Affect Your Brain Function

In a world dominated by endless scrolling and online distractions, “brain rot” has emerged as a term to describe the deteriorating effects of overconsumption of trivial digital content on cognitive health. Coined by younger generations and named Oxford’s Word of the Year in 2024, the phenomenon is gaining attention from scientists and psychologists alike. Here’s what you need to know about how brain rot might be affecting you and what to do about it.

What Is Brain Rot?

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The term “brain rot” refers to the supposed mental decline caused by excessive consumption of low-quality online material. Defined by Oxford University Press as “the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” brain rot has become synonymous with the cognitive overload that stems from constant exposure to social media, memes, and short-form videos.

The Role of Doomscrolling

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Doomscrolling, or the act of endlessly scrolling through often negative or trivial content, plays a significant role in brain rot. Behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Kyra Bobinet explains that doomscrolling exploits our brain’s habenula controls, which manage motivation and reward systems. This activity is “simple, takes no brain power, and feels manageable,” she notes, but it ultimately reduces focus and motivation.

Cognitive Consequences of Overload

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Research from Harvard, Oxford, and King’s College has shown that excessive internet use can lead to structural changes in the brain (brain rot). Key areas affected include attentional capacities, memory processes, and social cognition. “It’s a perfect storm of cognitive degradation,” warns Earl Miller, an MIT neuroscientist.

Memory and Attention Span Shrinkage

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Studies indicate that our attention spans are shrinking at an alarming rate. In 2004, the average screen focus time was about two and a half minutes. By 2020, it had dropped to 47 seconds. Dr. Gloria Mark of the University of California attributes this decline to the rapid and fragmented nature of online content, which trains our brains to flit between tasks without sustained concentration.

Addictive Design Features

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Brain rot is exacerbated by Silicon Valley’s intentional use of features like infinite scrolling. According to Tristan Harris, former Google design ethicist, these dopamine-driven loops create a race to the bottom of the brainstem,” hacking into our natural reward systems to maximize screen time and, consequently, ad revenue.

Impact on Developing Minds

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Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to brain rot. Studies comparing excessive screen use to substance addiction found similar reductions in grey matter in brain regions responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and memory. Psychologist Eduardo Fernández Jiménez highlights how these changes interfere with academic learning and identity formation during critical developmental years.

The Loneliness Epidemic

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Dr. Bobinet also connects brain rot to increasing loneliness, a phenomenon fueled by digital disconnection. “People feel foggy, less concentrated, and unable to build meaningful relationships,” she explains. These effects are compounded by the superficial engagement fostered by online interactions.

Fighting Brain Rot

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Experts stress the importance of limiting screen time and curating high-quality content. “Focus on content that avoids addictive features and engage in activities that require physical presence, like meeting friends or playing sports,” advises researcher Michoel Moshel. Setting boundaries on digital consumption and incorporating breaks can help restore cognitive balance and emotional well-being.

A Call for Awareness

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As brain rot continues to dominate discussions on cognitive health, the need for awareness and proactive steps becomes increasingly urgent. Whether through campaigns for smartphone-free childhoods or personal efforts to disconnect, reclaiming focus and mental clarity is essential. After all, as Dr. Bobinet warns, “We all need motivation to live our lives and feel proud of ourselves.”

Read More: Mom notices drastic effects 7 months after pulling the plug on screen time for her kids