'Popcorn brain' explained as study shows scrolling social media could be severely impacting our mind

Many of us are guilty of spending way too much time on our phones and devices, scrolling endless social media accounts and being immersed in short-form content - but did you know it can actually change the way our brains work?

It's widely accepted that too much screen time isn't healthy, but you might be surprised to know just how detrimental it can be for our minds.

The term 'popcorn brain' was first coined by University of Washington iSchool researcher David Levy back in 2011, who likened it to 'being so hooked on electronic multitasking that the slower paced life offline holds no interest'.

Essentially, popcorn brain is triggered by the dopamine reward loop, with psychologist Dannielle Haig explaining to Glamour how popcorn brain and the world of digital is linked.

She said: “Online platforms and social media sites use algorithms that feed us a constant stream of information, notifications, and entertainment, all tailored to our interests and behaviours.

“This can lead to overstimulation of the brain's reward system, particularly the dopamine pathways, which are associated with pleasure and novelty.

"It's not necessarily that the brain is being damaged, but rather its neural pathways are being rerouted or adapted to accommodate the demands of multitasking and rapid information processing."

How does popcorn brain impact our daily lives?

Have you heard of popcorn brain? (Getty Stock Photo)

Well, according to clinical health psychologist Jennifer Wolkin, PhD, who spoke to Women's Health, it can cause a whole host of cognitive symptoms, including:

• Scattered thoughts
• Feeling disinterested
• Quickly switching between topics in conversations
• Easily distracted
• Inability to complete tasks
• Mental exhaustion
• General overwhelm

A recent study has revealed the impact that consuming short-form content - for example, scrolling social media - has on your brain.

Researchers looked at data from 98,299 participants across 71 studies and different social media platforms.

Popcorn brain can occur as a result of cognitive overload (Getty Stock Photo)

They penned in the paper: "The resurgence of short-form videos (SFVs), popularized by TikTok and Douyin, has transformed social media platforms, with features like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts fostering their widespread adoption.

"Although initially geared toward entertainment, SFVs are increasingly used in education, political campaigns, advertising, and consumerism, yet their design, characterized by endless scrolling interfaces, has raised concerns about addiction and negative health implications."

Of the nearly 100,000 participants, the team analyzed their engagement patterns, as well as a number of different mental health indicators - and the results were concerning.

They found that 'higher SFV consumption is linked to poorer attention across both young and older populations'.

Meanwhile, SPV use has also been linked with poor mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness in particular.

Why is it called popcorn brain?

Similar to the feeling of having 'too many tabs' open at once, popcorn brain describes the overstimulation that takes place in our brains as a result of too much digital.

Kind of like popcorn kernels popping off one-by-one in the microwave, popcorn brain describes how our minds can become erratic and disorganized, racing from one thought to another as a result of cognitive overload.

How can we combat popcorn brain?

A recent study has revealed the impact of consuming short-form content (Getty Stock Photo)

First off, incorporating healthy screen time habits is a must. For example, limiting your time online, giving yourself regular breaks and refraining from checking your phone.

Practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation can also be hugely beneficial, as well as implementing a healthy routine and structure.

Mayo Clinic explains: "If you need a bit of structure, try the Pomodoro method, a time management strategy based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by five-minute breaks.

"Longer breaks, typically 15 to 30 minutes, are taken after four consecutive work intervals."

Meanwhile, Psychology Today adds: "Implementing rituals and routines can effectively deter negative habits, foster positive ones, and prepare your mind and body for sustained periods of focused, productive work complemented by regular breaks."