The simple act of scrolling has evolved far beyond a harmless pastime. It is now a neurological cycle that changes brain chemistry, hijacks attention periods, and blurs emotional health—particularly in young and active consumers. Social media sites are not only connecting tools; they are complicated behavior patterns designed to sustain users on powerful psychological structures based on dopamine.

As studies continue to expose the biological and emotional toll of chronic online activity, mental health experts are crying foul. "Social media can create an artificial reward system," says Krisha Sanghvi, a counselling psychologist. "You may get a fleeting high when you receive likes or views, but that can quickly spiral into anxiety when the views slow down or when you compare your life to somebody else's highlight reel.

Dopamine Loop: Why Scrolling Feels So Good Until It Doesn't?

Social media is intentionally designed to activate the brain's reward system. Every swipe, like, comment, or notification triggers a microdose of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for the pleasure response. Though this feedback loop itself is harmless, repeated exposure reprograms the brain in patterns that are reminiscent of addictive behavior.

The brain slowly ceases to be responsive to other, more natural sources of fulfillment. Once-enjoyable pursuits such as having meaningful conversations, reading a book, or savoring an uneventful moment—pale in comparison to the high-stimulation world of social media.

With time, spontaneous scrolling becomes an addiction. "Most clients, particularly adolescents, report a near-automatic desire to look at their phones—even in the absence of a notification," says Sanghvi. That constant checking is not driven by curiosity—it's driven by anticipation and that potentially accompanying dopamine rush. The cycle repeats, building on itself until pleasures in the real world taste dull and unimpressive.

How Social Media Is Shrinking Attention Spans and Disrupted Emotional Regulation?

The human brain is astonishingly adaptable. Unfortunately, that adaptability can also make us vulnerable. When constantly exposed to quick-hit content—15-second videos, flashy memes, endless reels—our brains recalibrate to prefer brief, stimulating bursts over deep, focused engagement.

This does not only affect the way we engage with information, but the way we deal with emotions as well. Activities such as reading a lengthy article, paying close attention during meetings, or sitting in contemplative silence begin to feel awkward. In Sanghvi's words, "The brain becomes restless. When you take away the phone, you're not just taking away distraction- you're taking away the source of mental pacification.

In addition, this reliance on outside stimulation undermines our capacity for emotional regulation. Endless exposure to edited perfection on the internet tempts us to seek praise and stimulation from outside ourselves. Without it, boredom—and even anxiety—may follow in short order. Eventually, individuals can lose the skills of self-calming, contemplation, or the ability to stay still without feeling emotionally disturbed.

Comparison Anxiety: Hidden Mental Toll of the Highlight Reel?

Behind the shiny facade of selfies and jubilation is a darker reality, social media can insidiously eat away at mental health. Sites build an unrealistic reality, where edited vignettes are confused for the complete picture. That tends to trigger comparison anxiety, a contemporary mental illness that plagues millions.

"Each time we contrast our reality with someone else's online fiction, we undermine our own self-worth," according to Sanghvi. Whether the individual is a high school student looking at influencers who appear to have ideal lives or an adult browsing friends' professional achievements, the emotional outcome is typically the same: inadequacy, jealousy, and isolation.

This dynamic is especially threatening to teenagers and young adults, whose sense of self is still developing. The number of likes for a selfie can affect whether they will feel good about themselves for the rest of the day. When verification can be measured, self-esteem is transactional.

The children's and teens' brains are still being built. The prefrontal cortex the area of the brain responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation is still developing well into the mid-20s. During this time of heightened susceptibility, repeated digital interactions don't merely entertain they shape neural architecture.

Through synaptic pruning, the brain reinforces frequently used connections between neurons and loses those that are not. If children are continually exposed to high-speed, high-reward media, the reward circuits for patience, contemplation, and delayed gratification may be atrophied.

Just as disturbing is how social media infuses external verification into self-concept. An adolescent whose self-esteem is based on likes or comments is being conditioned to build confidence on the basis of other people's thoughts instead of internal standards.

Can Social Media Rewire Our Brains?

In brief, yes. Neuroplasticity, the capacity of the brain to reorganize and rewire itself- is both a blessing and a curse. Each time we perform a repetitive task, we strengthen a certain constellation of neural pathways. Scrolling, looking for likes, and consuming bite-sized information essentially "educates" the brain to optimize for stimulation over stability.

This leads to trouble focusing, low emotional tolerance, and a degraded capacity for critical thinking. As we become accustomed to low-complexity, high-emotion content, our tolerance for nuance decreases. In this condition, even mild stressors can become overpowering, and intense focus becomes difficult.

How To Reset Your Overstimulated Brain?

To restore mental acuity and emotional equilibrium, most therapists now recommend a dopamine detox- a planned digital detox that gives the brain time to reboot. The aim is not to deprive of pleasure, but to restore the brain's sensitivity to everyday, uncomplicated pleasures.

"Even taking a couple of hours off every day can make a huge difference," says Sanghvi. "At first, it is uncomfortable—there's something missing. But over time, people start feeling more present, more in charge, and less reactive."

Part of this, digital hygiene—the everyday routines that maintain mental well-being in cyberspace—is crucial. Placing screen boundaries, assembling content that's uplifting, and prioritizing offline time are not merely desirable wellness tricks—they're life-saving interventions for mind and emotions.

How Can Parents Support the Next Generation?

Parents and educators are best placed to lead young people through the virtual labyrinth. That does not imply imposing tight controls, but encouraging sensitivity and moderation.

Begin by encouraging children to explain their internet feelings. Do they scroll because they are bored? Do they worry when they do not receive likes? These types of questions promote emotional awareness and self-understanding.

Adults need to model good digital behavior too. Family routines such as device-free meals, outdoor weekend trips, or screen-free times encourage being present and help normalize digital balance. And schools can weave in digital literacy teaching not only how to use technology but how to question it.

Social media isn't bad in itself—but its impact on the brain, especially via dopamine loops and comparison anxiety, is undeniable. As consumers, it's important to see how these platforms influence not only what we view, but the way we think, feel, and relate.

Rewiring mental patterns isn't merely an intellectual upgrade—it's a psychological imperative in the era of distraction. With intention, conscious habits, and the will to disconnect, we can take back our attention, regain emotional equilibrium, and safeguard our most potent resource- the mind.

Krisha Sanghvi is a Counselling Psychologist at Samarpan Recovery in India

Having a family pet is a favorable idea considered by many. While parents of young children are worried about bacteria and germs being an issue, there are also other factors to consider. Many studies, like ‘The Power of Pets’ published in the News in Health, have shown how pets play a very important role in a child’s development. They explain how pets have been observed to lower cortisol levels as well as lower blood pressure. They also pointed out that studies have found pets to lower the feeling of loneliness, increase social support as well, and boost your mood.

A new study shows a favorable result for families who wish to have pets, especially dogs, as they not only passively help your kid’s health, but they can also have an active effect on them.

New research suggests that having a family dog might lower a baby's chances of getting eczema later in life. This study, published on June 4th in the journal Allergy, indicates that being around dogs could actually change how a child's genes react to eczema, by calming down skin inflammation.

How Does Eczema Affect Kids?

Researchers explained that while we know genes play a role in eczema risk and that dogs might be protective, this is the first study to show how this happens at a very basic level. Eczema happens when something irritates the skin, causing it to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. We know some people are born more likely to get eczema, but exactly how their genes and their surroundings work together to either increase or decrease this risk hasn't been clear.

How Was The Research Conducted?

The researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from 16 previously conducted studies. Their goal was to identify interactions between 24 specific genetic variants already known to be linked to eczema and a list of 18 environmental factors that could potentially influence a baby's susceptibility to the condition later in life.

which included over 25,000 people, narrowed down the environmental factors to seven key ones: antibiotic use, owning a cat, owning a dog, breastfeeding, having an older sibling, smoking, and hygiene.

Dogs, Genes, and Inflammation

The team then applied these findings to data from another 254,000 people to see which genes and environmental factors had the biggest impact on eczema risk. This second look found that a baby's exposure to dogs affects the interleukin-7 gene. This gene is involved in making a type of immune protein that helps control inflammation. Lab tests showed that being around dogs interacts with a gene variation that might otherwise cause eczema, essentially reducing skin inflammation by changing how interleukin-7 proteins work in human skin cells.

The experts explained that their research aims to answer common questions parents ask, like "Why does my child have eczema?" and "What can I do to protect my baby?" While these findings are exciting, the researchers also stressed that more studies are needed to confirm what they found in the lab and to better understand exactly how dogs might affect human genes in this way. Researchers believes these findings give us a chance to tackle the rise of allergic diseases and protect future generations.

More American teens are being prescribed Wegovy, a weight-loss drug that mimics a hormone to regulate appetite, as doctors and families grow more comfortable using medications to treat obesity in adolescents. While this signals growing acceptance of medical tools to tackle a complex and often lifelong health issue, experts caution that challenges around access, affordability, and long-term safety persist.

Sharp Rise in Teen Prescriptions

Wegovy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2022 for children aged 12 and older who are living with obesity. Since then, prescriptions have surged. According to health data company Truveta, which reviewed medical records from 30 U.S. health systems, prescriptions for Wegovy among teens jumped by 50% in 2024—rising from 9.9 per 100,000 adolescents in 2023 to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2024. The first quarter of 2025 showed another increase, with the rate reaching 17.3 per 100,000.

But these numbers are still small compared to the scale of the issue. Government data shows that 8 million U.S. teens—about 23% of those aged 12 to 19—are living with obesity, a number that has more than quadrupled since 1980. The condition raises long-term risks such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.

A Promising Tool, But Not a Cure-All

“It’s promising that more young people are using these medications, but it’s still a very small percentage of patients with severe obesity that are getting access to them,” said Dr. Cate Varney, an obesity medicine specialist at the University of Virginia Health System, in an interview with NBC News. “When lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, we need these additional tools.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its guidelines in 2023 to recommend that doctors consider GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy, for children 12 and older with obesity. GLP-1 drugs mimic the effects of a hormone that controls hunger and food intake. However, only Wegovy is FDA-approved for adolescents. Others, such as Ozempic and Zepbound, are not approved for teen weight loss, though they are being studied for future use.

Safety, Access, and Insurance Hurdles

Despite the increased use, concerns linger. Experts point out that there is limited long-term data on how these medications may affect a developing adolescent’s body. “These medications are likely to be needed for a very long time to maintain weight,” said Dr. Robert Siegel of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “And we only have a relatively short-term experience with them.”

Insurance coverage also presents a significant barrier. Many health plans do not cover weight-loss drugs for teens and often deny coverage for complementary care such as visits to dietitians or behavioral counseling. At Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, about 25% of teens in one obesity treatment program were prescribed Wegovy or a similar drug last year—almost double the number from 2023. Still, many could not access the drug due to insurance or concerns about side effects.

What the Future Holds

Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, claims its trials found no negative effects on puberty or growth. Eli Lilly, which produces Zepbound, is conducting its own studies in teens and so far reports no adverse effects on growth or metabolism.

“We are confident in the proven safety and efficacy of our GLP-1 medicines,” Novo Nordisk said in a statement. Still, both researchers and government officials, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stress the need for long-term studies to fully understand the impact of using these medications in young people.

After the long, emotionally and physically demanding journey of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), hearing the words “you’re pregnant” often feels like crossing the finish line. However, for many couples, particularly those navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy is only part of the journey—and miscarriage remains a deeply feared possibility.

Experts points out that although IVF brings a lot of couples closer to parenthood, it does not entirely prevent the risk of miscarriage. "About 15% of all pregnancies, whether they occur naturally or through assisted reproductive technology such as IVF or IUI, result in miscarriage," says Dr. Varsha Patil, a well-known fertility expert. The number may sound shocking, but with the knowledge of the causes, risk factors, and preventive measures, the couple is given the clarity and confidence to proceed.

What Is A Miscarriage?

A miscarriage in medical terminology is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. In Dr. Patil's opinion, miscarriages can be generally divided into two broad categories—early miscarriage, which is a pregnancy loss before 13 weeks, and late miscarriage, which takes place between 13 to 20 weeks. Although it's easy to think that when women become pregnant after IVF, they've exceeded the most dangerous period, the truth is usually different. IVF pregnancies, which are thoroughly monitored, are not completely safe from complications. Actually, some factors underlying the case—like maternal age, embryo quality, uterine anomalies, and hormonal imbalance—can still lead to miscarriage despite a successful embryo transfer.

What Causes Miscarriage After IVF?

Miscarriages after IVF are generally not an indication of treatment failure but usually result from natural biological and physiological problems. Chromosomal abnormalities are one of the most frequent reasons for miscarriage irrespective of how pregnancy is achieved. "An embryo with the incorrect number of chromosomes is unlikely to survive," says Dr. Patil, pointing to the biological problem that can sideline even the best-planned IVF pregnancy. In addition to this, maternal health is also crucial—chronic diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disturbances, kidney illness, and autoimmune diseases can disrupt a normal pregnancy and predispose to loss. Lifestyle factors are also very important.

Cigarette smoking, alcohol use, illicit drug use, and even overuse of caffeine are all recognized risk factors for miscarriage. Dr. Patil reiterates that having IVF doesn't erase the need to make healthier lifestyle changes. Physical conditions like fibroids, polyps, a uterine septum, or an incompetent cervix can make it difficult to carry a pregnancy to term. Advanced age is another significant factor; women above 35 have a 25% or more chance of miscarriage, and for women aged above 40, this chance increases to more than 50%. In addition, serious anemia, malnutrition, and inadequate post-embryo transfer medical follow-up can adversely affect pregnancy and hence require holistic post-IVF care to ensure a successful process.

How Age Can Affect Chances Of Miscarriage After IVF?

Although age is a natural component of reproductive aging, it plays an extensive role in the success of IVF. Dr. Patil clarifies, "Between 20 and 35, the rate of miscarriage is 10–15%. But post 35, the rate increases significantly." This is partly because eggs from women who are older have a greater chance of chromosomal abnormalities.

For individuals who are thinking about IVF later in life, this information underscores the value of genetic screening and preconception counseling to get the healthiest embryos to transfer.

Role of Embryo Quality

Embryo quality is critical to the success of IVF—and to eliminating the risk of miscarriage. As Dr. Patil puts it, "A good quality embryo has a much lower risk of miscarriage than a poor quality one."

Chromosomal information clarifies the different rates of miscarriage associated with the quality of the embryo.

Research indicates that high-quality embryos suffer a miscarriage rate of about 13.3%, but low-quality embryos can suffer a much higher percentage, about 20%. This is where sophisticated reproductive procedures such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGTA) are utilized. PGTA allows physicians to detect chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos prior to implantation, significantly enhancing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy while minimizing the risk of miscarriage. For couples who have gone through the devastation of miscarriage following IVF, the path ahead seems uncertain.

How long, then, should one wait before attempting another pregnancy? In Dr. Patil's opinion, a waiting time of 2 to 3 months is what is usually advised. This window of time accommodates both emotional recovery and physical healing," she explains. It also allows fertility doctors to assess any underlying complications, fine-tune medication regimens, and perform any further medical procedures that are required. Sparing this time not only gets the body ready for another cycle, but it also enables couples to rejoin the process with fresh hope and knowledge-based support.

Signs of Miscarriage Women Should Watch For

Pregnancies that occur through IVF are normally closely monitored, but it's still important for women to remain vigilant for complications. Dr. Patil enumerates the following signs that may be a sign of miscarriage:

• Spotting or brownish discharge
• Moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal cramps or lower back pain
• Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms (such as nausea or breast tenderness)
• Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina
• Lack of fetal heartbeat or growth on ultrasound

If any of these symptoms are noticed, immediate medical consultation is essential. "The sooner we take action, the greater opportunity we have to offer support or handle complications," she maintains.

A miscarriage, be it following natural conception or IVF, is not merely a medical occurrence—though an emotional one. Dr. Patil forbids couples to blame themselves. "It's a natural aspect of the reproductive cycle, frequently as a result of factors nobody has control over."

Support systems, counseling, and community groups may assist couples in dealing with sorrow in a positive way while remaining positive about the future. Significantly, a single miscarriage does not predict the next pregnancy to end similarly. With updated technologies, individualized fertility care, and psychological strength, numerous couples proceed to have healthy pregnancies following miscarriage.

Whereas IVF provides access to parenthood for millions worldwide, it's also important to note that it does not entirely eliminate the threat of miscarriage. Elements such as age, the quality of the embryo, maternal health, and lifestyle all remain crucial in determining the success.

What is still crucial, as Dr. Patil stresses, is educated optimism. "Couples must know about the risks but not be discouraged by them. With proper medical attention, emotional support, and healthy lifestyles, the journey to parenthood continues to hold hope."

Dr Varsha Patil is a Fertility specialist at GarbhaGudi IVF Centre, Bengaluru in India