In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon delve into the emerging terms 'doomscrolling' and 'cyberchondria.' They discuss how doomscrolling—compulsively consuming negative news—hijacks the brain's threat and reward circuits, leading to increased stress, degraded attention, and impaired emotional regulation. Phil provides practical tips to break free from this harmful habit, such as setting time limits and replacing the behavior with healthier alternatives. The conversation then transitions to cyberchondria, the excessive online searching for health information that exacerbates health anxiety. They explore the overlap between doomscrolling and cyberchondria, emphasizing the importance of consulting healthcare professionals instead of relying solely on online information. The hosts conclude with strategies to maintain a balanced and healthy approach to consuming news and health information online.

00:00 Introduction to Neuroscience Digest

00:35 Emerging Terminology: Doom Scrolling and Cyberon

01:07 The Neuroscience Behind Doom Scrolling

02:00 Impact of Social Media Algorithms

02:57 Addictive Nature of Doom Scrolling

06:13 Negative Effects on Mental and Physical Health

10:11 Strategies to Combat Doom Scrolling

15:58 Understanding Cyberchondria

21:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts