According to the latest research by the American Psychological Association (APA), the internet term “Brain Rot” is not merely a meme, but a real neurocognitive syndrome that causes measurable harm to mental health and cognitive abilities.
The APA’s systematic review and meta-analysis, titled “Feeds, Feelings, and Focus,” established a direct link between the excessive consumption of algorithm-based Short-Form Video (SFV) content (such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts) and the deterioration of cognitive functions.
Scientists analyzed data from 71 studies involving a total of 98,299 people and found a clear correlation:
The more short videos a person watches, the worse their cognitive skills become, particularly in the areas of attention concentration and inhibitory control (the ability to suppress undesirable behaviors or thoughts).
It was found that young people spend an average of 6.5 hours a day in the online space, indicating the massive scale of this problem.
The study suggests that repeated exposure to highly stimulating, fast-changing content promotes Habituation. This means users become accustomed to the high speed and become desensitized to slower tasks that require more mental effort, such as reading, problem-solving, or in-depth learning.
This habituation stimulates the reward system in the brain, which reinforces the consumption cycle and ultimately leads to:
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Social isolation.
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Reduced life satisfaction.
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Lowered self-esteem.
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Worsened sleep patterns, increased anxiety, and loneliness.
The researchers emphasize that excessive exposure to short videos has a tangible impact on how our brain functions. The more low-quality content we watch, the weaker our ability to concentrate becomes, which negatively affects mental health and critical thinking.
According to experts, these findings lay a crucial foundation for future research and for steering public discussions on this challenge.
