I'm a neuroscientist. Here's the surprising truth about TikTok 'brain rot'

What did the study find?

They scanned the brains of more than a hundred undergrad students and had them complete a questionnaire about their habits of watching short online videos. The survey included statements like, “My life would feel empty without short videos” and “Not being able to watch short videos would be as painful as losing a friend,” with participants indicating how much they agreed.

Intriguingly, researchers found that those who felt the most attached to short videos had noticeable differences in their brain structure. These participants had more grey matter in their orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) – a region near the front of the brain involved in decision-making and emotional regulation. Similarly, they had more grey matter in their cerebellum – a small, cauliflower-shaped structure at the back of the brain that plays a role in movement and emotions.

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