Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Is Brain Rot Real? Short Form Video Content May Worsen Cognition And Increase Depression, Studies Confirm

Researchers say consuming excessive short-form videos on social media may lead to '<span>brain rot</span>' and cause cognitive decline, increase the risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span> and worsen behavior in young children and adults. 

Named as the <a href="https://corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/" data-type="tilCustomLink" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">2024 Oxford University Word Of The Year</a>, 'brain rot' is defined as the supposed deterioration of a person’s intellectual state due to overconsumption of low-quality online content such as <span>TikTok</span> videos, <span>Instagram</span> reels and YouTube Shorts. 

Until now, brain rot was considered to be merely internet slang but now multiple studies show that the condition can, indeed, impact overall brain health and pave the way for neurodegenerative diseases. 

According to a literature review published in Psychological Bulletin, a journal of the American Psychological Association, scientists found links between heavy consumption of such videos and increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness.

Additionally, the September 2025 study also found that extreme intake of short form videos (SFVs) can  worsen cognitive functioning and weakening emotional control as well as regulation.

Moreover, an October 2025 study from Capella University, Minneapolis which summarized 14 studies on SFVs discovered that people who regularly watch videos, ranging between 15 to 60 seconds, were prone to developing 'TikTok Brain' and suffered from low attention spans. 

The review noted, "Reports from educators and parents describe teens struggling to focus in class or during prolonged tasks, behavior changes often attributed to constant stimulation from social media scrolling."

Based on these results, Keith Robert Head, a doctoral student in social work at Capella University and study author commented, "So one of the questions that would be interesting for researchers to study is: Are these <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/adhd">ADHD</a></span> diagnoses actually ADHD, or is it an impact from the continued use of short-form video?"

<h2>But Some Doctors Disagree </h2>Despite evident research and growing alarm from teachers and parents alike, some experts claim that rising concern over the effect of SFVs on brain health is an "overreaction". 

James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-rot-research-short-form-video-consumption-rcna245739?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&amp;taid=695c346b26fe2c00014c1958&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-type="tilCustomLink" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">NBC News</a>, "The narrative that the only people who are worried about this are grumpy old grandpas who are yelling at you to get off their lawn or the idea that if you’re concerned about this you’re not in step with the times, I think that’s really simplistic."

He also noted that SFVs can  be useful through the opportunities it creates for learning as well as community-building and social media users should seek to maintain a balance. 

“There are people that engage with short-form videos in ways that are value-added, for sure. But if their engagement is pulling them away from other, more healthy opportunities, if it is isolating them from other people, if it is creating situations where they’re less and less likely to just sit around and be bored, I think that’s a problem," he said. 

<h2>What now?</h2>Dr. Nidhi Gupta, a pediatric endocrinologist based in Nashville, Tennessee who researches the effects of screen time claims that additional research is needed to determine the exact effects of SFVs on children as well as older adults as they are less less technologically savvy which may make them more vulnerable to brain rot. 

She further noted that it may take many years of study to determine whether cognitive changes associated with SFVs consumption are reversible and whether they can qualify as  an 'addiction' 

“It might be too early to claim universal doom,” Gupta said. “The research for alcohol, cigarettes and drugs took 75 years or more to develop. But I would be surprised if, in the next five to 10 years, we do not have similar signs validating the moral panic that we have around short-form videos.”

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Brain rot

instagram

ADHD

tiktok

Short videos

Depression

Expert Explains: Why Do Allergies And Rashes Increase In Winter? According To Dermatologist

DengiAll, India's First Dengue Vaccine Clears Phase III Trials, May Soon Enter Markets

Working Out For 10 Minutes May Decrease Your Risk Of Colorectal Cancer, Study Proves

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Researchers say consuming excessive short-form videos on social media may lead to 'brain rot' and cause cognitive decline, increase the risk of depression and worsen behavior in young children and adults. Named as the 2024 Oxford University Word Of The Year, 'brain rot' is defined as the supposed deterioration of a person’s intellectual state due to overconsumption of low-quality online content such as TikTok videos, Instagram reels and YouTube Shorts. Until now, brain rot was considered to be merely internet slang but now multiple studies show that the condition can, indeed, impact overall brain health and pave the way for neurodegenerative diseases. According to a literature review published in Psychological Bulletin, a journal of the American Psychological Association, scientists found links between heavy consumption of such videos and increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness.Additionally, the September 2025 study also found that extreme intake of short form videos (SFVs) can  worsen cognitive functioning and weakening emotional control as well as regulation.Moreover, an October 2025 study from Capella University, Minneapolis which summarized 14 studies on SFVs discovered that people who regularly watch videos, ranging between 15 to 60 seconds, were prone to developing 'TikTok Brain' and suffered from low attention spans. The review noted, "Reports from educators and parents describe teens struggling to focus in class or during prolonged tasks, behavior changes often attributed to constant stimulation from social media scrolling."Based on these results, Keith Robert Head, a doctoral student in social work at Capella University and study author commented, "So one of the questions that would be interesting for researchers to study is: Are these ADHD diagnoses actually ADHD, or is it an impact from the continued use of short-form video?"But Some Doctors Disagree Despite evident research and growing alarm from teachers and parents alike, some experts claim that rising concern over the effect of SFVs on brain health is an "overreaction". James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center told NBC News, "The narrative that the only people who are worried about this are grumpy old grandpas who are yelling at you to get off their lawn or the idea that if you’re concerned about this you’re not in step with the times, I think that’s really simplistic."He also noted that SFVs can  be useful through the opportunities it creates for learning as well as community-building and social media users should seek to maintain a balance. “There are people that engage with short-form videos in ways that are value-added, for sure. But if their engagement is pulling them away from other, more healthy opportunities, if it is isolating them from other people, if it is creating situations where they’re less and less likely to just sit around and be bored, I think that’s a problem," he said. What now?Dr. Nidhi Gupta, a pediatric endocrinologist based in Nashville, Tennessee who researches the effects of screen time claims that additional research is needed to determine the exact effects of SFVs on children as well as older adults as they are less less technologically savvy which may make them more vulnerable to brain rot. She further noted that it may take many years of study to determine whether cognitive changes associated with SFVs consumption are reversible and whether they can qualify as  an 'addiction' “It might be too early to claim universal doom,” Gupta said. “The research for alcohol, cigarettes and drugs took 75 years or more to develop. But I would be surprised if, in the next five to 10 years, we do not have similar signs validating the moral panic that we have around short-form videos.”