Doomscrolling Detox: Break the Loop, Find Your Groove

Research Writer: Bill (Tran Gia Phuc) Nguyen

Research Editor: Linette Borges

In this digital era, coming with the convenience of smart phones and internet connection, is a mental health risk affecting many young people – doomscrolling. So, what is doomscrolling? It describes the activity of spending an extensive amount of time viewing news or posts online via multiple platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc. A survey revealed that 53% of Gen Z adults describe themselves as “doomscrollers” (Briggs, 2024). In this blog, we will explore the effect of doomscrolling on brain activity, as well as how we should address this universal problem.

Technique Explanation (Attar, 2022):

One of the most common techniques to study brain activity is EEG, which can measure the electrical waves and signals between neurons in the brain, or even in specific regions. This technology can further indicate the state of the brain during specific actions or events, which is useful to interpret the effect of those actions on humans’ mental state. Generally, the brain waves are classified into 5 main types:

• Gamma waves: present during intense processing

• Beta waves: present during active thinking

• Alpha waves: present while being awake and calm

• Theta waves: present during drowsiness

• Delta waves: present during deep sleep

Neurocognitive Impacts:

In July 2025, Satani et al. published “Modern Day High: The Neurocognitive Impact of Social Media Usage,” where they used EEG to assess the brain’s electrical activity during usage of social media, with the results as below:

• Alpha waves: declined during engagement, especially with emotionally charged content, suggesting cognitive excitation.

• Beta/Gamma waves: increased during active interaction and continue after engagement, indicating cognitive excitation and emotional engagement

• Theta/Delta waves: slightly increased during passive scrolling or extended use, suggesting mental exhaustion

  
  

Discussion of Results:

In general, the results show that doomscrolling engages in the brain reward pathway, which is similar to that seen in addictive behavior. (Satani et al., 2025)

The extended Beta and Gamma activity of the brain can also negatively impact emotional regulation and attention. (Satani et al., 2025)

Furthermore, long-term doomscrolling can lead to delayed Alpha recovery and increased Delta activity, causing digital fatigue. (Satani et al., 2025)

Scrolling on social media is often thought of as a type of entertainment and is used to recharge our brains. However, our brains are not recharging; they are actually working just as much as when we study, making us even more exhausted. Therefore, other activities that are not digitally-associated are recommended.

Substitution for Doomscrolling:

So what are some practical substitutions for doomscrolling that actually recharge your brain? 

Mindfulness Meditation (Pascoe et al., 2020):

• Each section can span from 15 - 20 minutes, or according to your own arrangement. 

• This exercise mainly focuses on your breathing pace and observing your thoughts flow through in a non-judgemental view. 

• It has been studied to show positive influences on multiple systems in humans, including the immune, cardiovascular, digestive, and especially the stress endocrine system. 

Physical Activity Break (Fischetti et al., 2024):

• Each break section can be as short as 10 minutes.

• Can be any kind of movement, such as outdoor movement or exergame. 

• It has shown an effect to enhance working memory, executive functions, attention, and concentration.

As Gen Z students, who have access to smart phones and the internet nearly anywhere and anytime, it is important to be aware that scrolling on social media is not an effective way to recharge your mind. It actually leads to digital fatigue, as well as emotional and attentional irregulation. Instead, try substituting doomscrolling with other non-digital activities. 

So, next time you take a break, do not go on your reels! Turn your phone off and do something else!      

References

Attar, E. T. (2022). Review of electroencephalography signals approaches for mental stress assessment. Neurosciences, 27(4), 209–215. https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2022.4.20220025

Briggs, E. (2024, March 20). How Doomscrolling Is Impacting Social Media Users’ Mood. Morning Consult Pro. https://pro.morningconsult.com/analysis/doomscrolling-impact-users-mood-2024?utm_ 

Fischetti, F., Pepe, I., Greco, G., Ranieri, M., Poli, L., Cataldi, S., & Vimercati, L. (2024). Ten-Minute Physical Activity Breaks Improve Attention and Executive Functions in Healthcare Workers. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9(2), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020102 

Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., & Ski, C. F. (2020). Meditation and endocrine health and Wellbeing. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 31(7), 469–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2020.01.01 

Satani, A., Satani, K. K., Barodia, P., Joshi, H. (2025). Modern Day High: The Neurocognitive Impact of Social Media Usage. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.87496