Doctors and neuroscientists are increasingly warning about the negative consequences of uncontrolled viewing of short videos such as Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

Experts believe that such content can trigger dopamine addiction: the brain quickly becomes accustomed to the constant change of vivid stimuli and begins to crave them more and more. Some researchers compare the strength of this addiction to the effects of psychoactive substances.

Of particular concern is the condition of the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain responsible for concentration, planning, and critical thinking. With prolonged and regular viewing of short videos, activity in this area decreases, which, according to doctors, impacts a person's ability to maintain attention and cope with complex tasks.

Experts cite apathy, social withdrawal, and decreased interest in mentally demanding activities as among the observed consequences. They also note that the longer a person remains in this "information cycle," the more difficult it is to break out of it.

Doctors recommend limiting the time spent watching short videos and alternating it with activities that require concentration, such as reading, studying, and face-to-face interaction.

The editors remind us that the above assessments reflect the views of a number of experts and are still being debated in the scientific community.