Dual pride-ghadi, Insta reels are rebuilding your brain like alcohol addiction. This way
Several studies suggest that short-form videos trigger the reward passage in a similar manner as addictive substances such as alcohol, while neurologists in India take precautions about inspiration, focus and even long-term reunion of memory.
Scrolling through Instagram reels, tiktok videos, or youtube shorts may feel like a harmless way to kill your time, but neuroscientists warns that the effect on the brain can be more dangerous and belongs to what we think.
Several studies suggest that short-form videos trigger the reward passage in a similar manner as addictive substances such as alcohol, while neurologists in India take precautions about inspiration, focus and even long-term reunion of memory.
According to a study conducted in Neuroeimage led by Professor Kian Wang from Tianzin Normal University, heavy short-video users show increased activity in the reward routes of the brain, showing a lot of circuits that light up during addictions such as alcohol or gambling.
“Short-form video addiction is a global public health threat, with users in China spend an average of 151 minutes, and 95.5 percent internet users are engaged. It not only disrupts attention, sleep and mental health, but also increases the risk of depression,” Pro. Wang said. Other researches have shown how short-form videos meditation can negatively affect span, cognitive skills and even short-term memory.
Dopamine connection
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood, inspiration and brain reward system. This is the chemical that makes us feel good to achieve something, enjoy food, or spend time with loved ones.
But the same passage can be kidnapped by addictive behaviors.
“Whenever we use some addiction such as alcohol, gaming, or reels, the dopamine levels increase, which leads to a feeling of enthusiasm,” Dr. Kunal Bahrani, Clinical Director and Head of the Department, Neurology, Marngo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter tied closely to pleasure and reward. Generally, it is released during natural activities such as good food or socialization. But drug addiction behavior kidnaps this reward system.
“More dopamine is released, more neuroconst is formed because they act like the underlying prizes. But as our level of addiction increases, the dopamine keeps kidnapping the system. You yearn the bliss, such as the reels are repeatedly watching,” Dr. Dr. Explains the deaf.
What happens to the brain?
Dr. Bahrani explains how it plays neurologically:
prefrontal cortex: “This part of the brain is responsible for attention, self-control and decision making. The prefrontal cortex develops up to the age of 26 or 27. But with continuous material switching, we are finishing it. Over time, the prefrontal cortex can really shrink, which affects day-to-day functioning.
Hippocampus: Dr. Bharani further explained how night time scrolling interferes with the quality of sleep and memory consolidation. He says, “If the hippocampus is disturbed, our inherent learning power becomes weak. That is why people who make biping on the reels often complain of poor focus and memory laps.”
Is it like alcohol addiction?
While alcohol -like drug addiction substances cause direct neurotoxic damage, similarities with reels are contained in the recurrence of prize routes. Scrolling through short videos flood the brain reward system with dopamine, trained to crave innovation.
“As the alcohol hijacks the reward system, the reels have overestimated it. The result is an endless loop of impulsive behavior, loss of self-control, and enjoyment,” Dr. Bahrani says.
how much is too much?
Whatever becomes excessive can be addictive, whether it is alcohol, gaming, or even social media. The same is the same for a short-form video on social media: consuming them without any limit can push the brain into an unhealthy cycle, which is why it is necessary to determine the boundaries.
Dr. According to Bahrani, there is no fixed safe limit, but moderation is important.
“Ideally, the screen time should not be more than 2-3 hours a day. Beyond this, it becomes toxic to the brain. We are entering it which I call digital intoxication. If uncontrolled, it is known as digital dementia, it can progress, a situation where oversulation, poor sleep, and memory lapses are said.
Short-form videos and reels may feel entertaining, but how their constant stream of instantaneous satisfaction acts our brain. By overthimulating the dopamine route, they risk to reduce meditation, memory, and even self-control in a similar manner as addictive.
– Article by Priyanka Palta