Regular viewing of short videos online leads to cognitive impairment. According to neurologist Denis Turyanitsa, this is the result of changes in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system due to the constant activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system.
When scrolling, dopamine is released not only when receiving a "reward" at the end of the video, but also when moving your finger across the screen.
As a result, the sensitivity of dopamine receptors decreases. The brain adapts to the high frequency of stimuli, and more and more intense exposure is required to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
Changes in the brain occur that are observed in behavioral addictions. The brain "restructures" itself to a rapid change of stimuli, so it cannot cope with activities that require high concentration.
A person experiences compulsive behavior, anxiety, and an inability to finish reading an article or watching a movie without wanting to switch.
To restore attention functions, it is necessary to limit the time spent watching videos, set a specific goal before starting to watch, move on to longer videos, and arrange digital detoxes. Meditation practices, reading, and concentration exercises will also help, reports Vokrug Sveta.