Social media reshapes young minds – that's how.

This satisfying feeling mimics the relief of an itch after doom scrolling through countless TikTok videos or shopping online. This is dopamine at work – a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) accountable for feelings of reward and achievement. Whether engaging in viral videos or engaging in recent hobbies, dopamine creates a way of accomplishment that keeps us coming back for more.

However, dependence on these dopamine hits can result in brain changes, especially in adolescents and young adults. This is what my team and I study at London South Bank University. We investigated which brain regions and connections are altered by increased social media engagement – ​​or “dopa mining,” as we call it.

Using social media prompts the identical parts of your brain as other addictions, akin to drugs, alcohol and gambling. The scientists have found that each time you receive a notification, a “like,” and even watch a video you enjoy, your brain's reward system ( Nucleus accumbens) is activated. This is the system that makes people feel blissful after they win money or eat their favorite snack.

But there's a catch: The more you utilize social media, the harder it's in your brain to withstand. It's like training your brain to crave those dopamine hits – identical to an addiction.

Ever wondered why social media is so addicting? This is because your brain starts pruning (or pruning) neurons, like cutting off extra branches on a tree, to make the “reward pathway” faster.

It seems effective, however it will not be excellent. A shorter path means your brain can “feel” the rewards faster, but we all know from research that it could possibly also make you more motivated and in a position to stop yourself from scrolling. Over time, this pruning can shrink the dimensions of certain parts of the brain, akin to the amygdala and nucleus accumbens, that are key to controlling emotions and making decisions.

Can Social Media Damage Your Mental Health?

Have you ever felt more anxious or frustrated after spending hours on Instagram or Snapchat? You are usually not alone. study show that folks who spend an excessive amount of time on social media usually tend to be stressed, anxious and even depressed. Why? Because apps like Instagram are designed to get you validated by others. When you don't get the likes or comments you're hoping for, it could possibly affect your self-esteem.

On the opposite hand, individuals who use social media less often report being more confident and fewer concerned about what others think.

How over and over have you ever promised yourself “just five more minutes,” rolled over in bed, only to search out an hour has passed?

Social media is designed to maintain you hooked like gambling or alcoholism. Every notification, like and comment triggers dopamine, making it hard to stop. Scientists call it “Delay Discounting”which happens if you select a right away reward (scrolling) over something necessary, like studying, sleeping or hanging out with friends in real life.

Understanding the results of social media on the brain is only the start. The next step in research is to dig deeper into how social media affects the brain. “Default Mode Network” (DMN) – a system that's energetic if you end up not listening to a specific task, akin to if you end up daydreaming or reflecting.

Using EEG (a technique that tracks brain activity), my team and I are examining whether heavy social media use interferes with this network. Why does it matter? The DMN plays a serious role in how we process our sense of self, make decisions, and even regulate ourselves. Emotions. If it's disrupted, it could explain why some social media users struggle with focus, emotional control, and maintaining healthy mental habits.

The excellent news is that you just don't have to offer up social media entirely. But being aware of the way it affects your mind is step one to taking back control.