The Effects Nomophobia has on Your Brain
Are you nomophobic? That is, are you someone who experiences an irrational fear of being without your mobile phone? Today, we’re exploring what excessive use of your smartphone does to your brain, and what to do about it.
Losing control
Did you know that studies have revealed smartphone addiction to have a similar impact on your brain as a drug addiction?
A team of German researchers from Heidelberg University compared the MRI brain scans of 48 young people. The 22 participants with a smartphone addiction displayed physical changes in the size and shape of their brains. This was especially so of their grey matter, the part of the brain associated with speech, hearing, sight, muscle control, memory, decision-making, and self-control.
What’s happening in your brain?
That satisfying feeling when you get a new notification? The neurotransmitters in your brain’s reward center are releasing a burst of dopamine, causing you to feel a rush of pleasure and reward.
Repeating and engaging with our smartphones and experiencing this sensation over and over again creates an addictive buzz. And of course, the more you do it, the more addictive it becomes, and the harder it is to tear yourself away.
How your cognitive abilities are impacted
Excessive smartphone usage and its ability to deliver instant gratification can hinder your cognitive abilities. In children whose brains are yet to develop, the effects are even more worrying. In fact, it’s been shown that your cognition can even be impacted when your phone is in the same room as you.
The cognitive impairment associated with cell phone usage can also lead to memory issues. We’ve come to rely on our phones to provide us with all of the knowledge we need at the touch of a screen, so there’s less need to recall important facts, addresses, directions, etc.
How your social skills are affected
Although our phones were designed to connect us wherever we are, screen time has also been one of the factors that have led to reduced social interactions . Social media consumption has also been inextricably linked to anxiety and depression, especially in young adolescents. Ultimately, the more time you spend on your phone, the less time you’re focused on those around you.
Disrupted sleep
Using your phone just before you settle in to catch some z’s has been shown to lead to a reduction in melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that increases as your day progresses, inducing sleepiness in the evening. The blue light emitted by your smartphone can stunt this process, not only making it harder to fall asleep, but also resulting in a less restful slumber.
As more extensive research on the effects of smartphone addiction on the brain becomes available, the negative impacts become ever clearer. So make sure you take time away from your device, try not to rely on it, and engage regularly in activities that don’t require it. Oh, and don’t forget to put it away well before bedtime to ensure the best possible rest.
If you find yourself constantly glued to your smartphone and struggling to disconnect, it's time to take action and reclaim control of your attention and time. Brain health coaching services can help you break free from your smartphone addiction and develop healthier habits around technology use. Don't let your smartphone control your life – take charge and invest in your mental well-being by signing up for a free consultation. Your future self will thank you for it.