A new study in NeuroImage says short videos to addiction-like brain patterns

Thekabarnews.com—More and more studies are showing that watching too many short videos may do more than just waste time. A new study in NeuroImage shows that spending a lot of time with small pieces of digital content could change how the brain thinks about risk and reward. It could also change how the brain thinks about making decisions.

The study examined young adults exhibiting signs of addiction to short videos. Scientists used brain imaging technology to look at how people made choices about money that could lead to gains or losses. As a result, the findings caused worry.

People who had stronger addiction-like symptoms were less sensitive to losing money. They demonstrated a greater willingness to take risks, even if it resulted in potential harm. Scientists found that their brain activity closely aligned with patterns associated with gambling addiction.

Researchers found that these individuals made decisions more quickly and with less cognitive deliberation. Brain scans revealed a decrease in activity in areas of the brain associated with self-control, impulse control, and long-term planning. 

Simultaneously, regions of the brain associated with sensory processing and motor responses exhibited increased activity. This was especially true when participants thought they might lose something.

This change in the brain may help explain why some people choose short-term digital rewards, like endless scrolling, over long-term benefits. For example, they may avoid getting more done. They may also avoid sleeping better or being more mentally clear. 

The study found that the more obvious the signs of short-video addiction, the more noticeable the changes in brain activity became. In addition, scientists noticed that people with similar levels of addiction had the same brain responses. Therefore, the finding suggests that the phenomenon may follow a set neurological pathway. It may not just happen at random.

Experts say that even though the study only looked at a small group of college students, the results add to the evidence that short-form video platforms can change how people think over time. Additionally, the fast-paced and high-reward structure of these apps may change how users think about risks and rewards over time.

Researchers stress the need for additional extensive studies. However, the current findings are an early warning that digital consumption habits, especially those based on quick, dopamine-driven content, may have more serious effects on the brain than we thought.