TikTok has entered our lives for good and is an integral part of the daily life of more and more internet users. Those in the know claim that there is actually something to it addictive. So it is no coincidence that many admit that they have come to spend much more time on the popular platform than they should.

And the question is: Apart from depriving your time on TikTok of a more important activity, is there another problem or is it a different “innocent” habit?

The neuroscientist dr. Patrick Porterits creator BrainTapwho has more than 30 years of experience in the study of the brain, speaks of the phenomenon “TikTok Brain”explaining how social media platform engagement affects brain function.

What he reveals on Purewow is really interesting, but also disturbing.

How harmful can an hour of watching TikTok videos be?

Do you know anyone who seems to be constantly on edge, easily distracted, and unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes? Then he might be ‘suffering’ from the ‘TikTok Brain’ phenomenon. As explained by Dr. Porter, the term refers to the cognitive and neurological changes that occur in the brains of people who spend a lot of time each day scrolling through TikTok. These changes are associated with a significantly shorter attention span, similar to that of a goldfish. Users often have an urgent need for instant gratification and struggle with more complex, long-term tasks.

Processing the rapid influx of information from TikTok is an intense process for the brain. As the expert explains, auditory stimuli reach the auditory cortex, while the eyes quickly send visual stimuli to the visual cortex. The fun aspects of TikTok trigger the nucleus accumbens to release dopamine, leading to a desire for even more content.

Dopamine, however, is not the only chemical the brain releases in response to TikTok content. Exciting or stressful content increases alertness and heart rate, responses due to epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion. Pleasant videos trigger the release of serotonin, stabilizing mood, while emotional content enhances feelings of bonding and trust, which is chemically explained by the increased presence of oxytocin in the brain.

What is the result of these brain processes?

According to dr. Porter, the ‘TikTok Brain’ can disrupt sleep patterns due to the absorption of light from screens, raising concerns about the quality of people’s rest. Although TikTok may enhance rapid information processing, in reality the ability for deep focus and sustained attention weakens.

What is the future of brain function in the age of TikTok?

The available evidence raises alarm bells for teenagers, who appear to be the main audience affected by ‘TikTok Brain’, mainly because they are at an age where their brains are still developing. For adults with more established neural pathways, the impact may be less severe. However, a 2021 study linked TikTok use in high school students to memory problems, depression and anxiety.

Dr. Porter argues that TikTok alters consciousness itself. Unlike previous generations, who memorized information, today’s young adults use their brains more like search engines, focusing on how to find information, rather than remembering the information itself.

Pointing out the seriousness of this change, the expert suggests to moderate the use of TikTok, replacing a part of the time you spend on the platform with other, more creative activities, such as reading, walks in the countryside and live meetings with your loved ones faces. After all, don’t forget that life is outside the digital world and has a lot waiting for you to discover.