cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18107275
Recent research published in NeuroImage has shed light on how compulsive use of short video platforms, such as TikTok, might affect the brain. The study found that individuals with higher levels of short video addiction displayed increased brain activity in regions linked to emotional regulation and reward processing. Moreover, these users showed structural differences in areas such as the orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum.
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Short video addiction is characterized by the compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of brief, personalized video content. This behavioral pattern has been linked to negative physical, psychological, and social outcomes, including disrupted sleep patterns, emotional dysregulation, and impairments in attention and memory. The fast-paced, highly stimulating nature of short videos may contribute to a reduced attention span and hinder the brain’s ability to focus on more demanding or meaningful tasks, intensifying concerns about their long-term effects on users’ cognitive and emotional health
While the behavioral consequences of short video addiction are increasingly recognized, the underlying neural and biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, researchers from Tianjin Normal University in China conducted a pioneering study. Their goal was to investigate how short video addiction might reshape the brain and to identify specific genes that could influence susceptibility to this behavioral pattern.
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The researchers observed structural and functional differences in the brains of individuals with higher levels of short video addiction. Structurally, these individuals exhibited increased gray matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum. a region involved in reward processing, decision-making, and emotional regulation. The increased volume in this area suggests heightened sensitivity to the rewards provided by personalized short video content, potentially reinforcing compulsive viewing behavior. Similarly, changes in the cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor control but increasingly recognized for its role in cognitive and emotional processing, were linked to the sensory-rich, dynamic nature of short videos.