Short videos destroy the brain

Short videos on TikTok, Reels and Shorts have a destructive impact on the brain that exceeds the effects of drugs and cause addiction, according to the journal NeuroImage.

According to the study, such addiction forms within just two months of regular viewing, and its intensity increases sharply after six months.

The experiment involved 111 people who spend an average of 95 minutes a day watching short clips. The results were alarming:

• The volume of grey matter in the orbitofrontal cortex decreased by 2.3% in just two months.
• Participants experienced sleep problems: sleep onset latency increased by 40%, sleep quality decreased by 30%, and half of the subjects developed insomnia.
• The ability to concentrate dropped sharply — instead of the usual 2.5 minutes, participants could focus for only 47 seconds.
• 64% of the subjects reported increased anxiety, and half of them suffered from depression requiring treatment.

The study highlights the need to be aware of the impact of such platforms on users' mental and physical health.