• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Psychologist warns you could be suffering with ‘popcorn brain’ from scrolling on your phone

Home> News> Health

Updated 11:57 1 Nov 2024 GMTPublished 11:58 1 Nov 2024 GMT

Psychologist warns you could be suffering with ‘popcorn brain’ from scrolling on your phone

You've heard about 'popcorn lung' but have you heard about 'popcorn brain'?

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

If you're guilty of mindlessly scrolling on your phone, a psychologist has an important warning or two for you.

You've probably heard about people coming down with 'popcorn lung' as a result of puffing too hard on the old vapes, but apparently, your brain can also end up popped like kernels in a microwave if you make a habit of pointlessly scrolling too frequently.

Do you ever pick up your phone and click onto a social media app, only to suddenly realize you're seeing all the same content and so must've literally done the same action potentially less than five minutes earlier, the mindless scrolling such a habit you don't even realize you're doing it anymore?

Well, one psychologist reveals you could end up suffering from something called 'popcorn brain' as a result, which certainly makes it sound a lot more ominous than it really is, but if you're getting ahead with your New Year's resolutions and thinking about reducing your screen time, this could be the added push you need.

Advert

Clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer tells Metro your scrolling habits could mean you're suffering from 'popcorn brain', which 'refers to the tendency for our attention and focus to jump quickly from one thing to another, like popping corn kernels'.

Granted, Dr Glazer notes some popular apps are designed to encourage such behaviour with 'variable reward schedules, micro-dosing of dopamine, and purposefully addictive designs optimised to maximise engagement over well-being,' but if you've found yourself getting bored half-way through TikTok videos, then you should probably take a hard look at yourself as well - it takes two to tango after all.

The question is, what can you do about it?

Are you guilty of mindlessly scrolling? (Getty Stock Images)
Are you guilty of mindlessly scrolling? (Getty Stock Images)

Advert

Well, in order to combat your brain getting 'accustomed to and expect[ing] frequent distractions and immediate gratification' and re-train it to be better at 'sustained concentration' activities such as 'reading, work projects, or in-person conversations,' there are some rules you can put in place.

First, make sure you order yourself to a period of time per day where you're not allowed on any technology. Yes, like a child, you need to have some no-screen time if you want to rewire your brain and attention span.

Dr Glazer also recommends 'consciously pausing to focus on a single task'.

Delete certain apps if you really need (Getty Stock Images)
Delete certain apps if you really need (Getty Stock Images)

Advert

Basically, this means if you need to go on your phone to answer an email, that's fine, but make sure that's all you're doing and you're not getting sidetracked.

And ultimately, if that's not working, nor cut-off timers either, Dr Glazer adds you can always 'periodically deleting apps' if you really need to 'regain some control'.

Or do what I wish I could, and just throw your phone away, abandon your normal life, and go live on a desert island where you have to fish for food and hike to find water. The choice is yours.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Health, Mental Health, Phones, Technology, Psychology, Social Media, Science

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Expert explains what happens to your brain when you stop using social media
  • Psychologist warns of new 'winter arc' trend that can be just as dangerous as 'raw dogging'
  • Psychologist explains how to identify a narcissistic boss who could leave you 'future-frozen'
  • Psychologist issues urgent warning over ‘popcorn brain’ from scrolling on your phone

Choose your content:

15 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • ReachReach
    15 hours ago

    Doctor allegedly left patient unconscious mid-surgery to have sex with a nurse

    The patient was under anaesthetic at the time

    News
  • The Drew Barrymore ShowThe Drew Barrymore Show
    16 hours ago

    Jennifer Aniston claims she and this A-list celebrity were previously related in a 'past life'

    The Friends actress told Drew Barrymore there was a co-star who claimed to be very close to her

    Celebrity
  • mrserikakirk/Instagrammrserikakirk/Instagram
    16 hours ago

    Eye-watering amount Charlie Kirk’s fans' have raised for his widow and children in less than two days

    Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10

    News
  • S. Granitz/WireImage via Getty ImagesS. Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images
    16 hours ago

    Man involved in leaking Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape breaks silence nearly 3 decades later

    The infamous home video depicted the 'Baywatch' star getting frisky with her then-husband, the legendary Mötley Crüe drummer

    Celebrity