Too Much Tech Can Hurt Your Brain, Expert Says | Brain Power | TODAY

TODAY

10 Feb 201703:39

Summary

TLDRThe video explores the negative effects of technology on our brains, citing distractions as a cause of anxiety, memory issues, and poor relationships. Neuroscientist Adam Ghazali shares solutions from his book 'The Distracted Mind' to help manage these challenges. Key steps include being aware of the impact of multitasking, setting boundaries for focused work, and taking small breaks for mental restoration. Ghazali is also developing a video game to improve attention skills. These strategies aim to boost productivity and improve mental well-being in our tech-dominated lives.

Takeaways

💻 Technology distractions, like social media and emails, negatively affect our brains.
😕 These distractions can lead to anxiety, memory issues, sleep problems, and strained relationships.
🧠 Renowned neuroscientist Adam Ghazali believes that tech distractions are a public health issue.
📖 In his book *The Distracted Mind*, Ghazali outlines steps to help manage tech-related distractions.
👀 Step 1: Be aware of how multitasking reduces the quality of both conversations and work.
⚠️ Multitasking is not as efficient as people believe, as switching tasks causes information loss.
⏳ Step 2: Set boundaries by allocating specific times for multitasking and focused work.
🔄 Step 3: Take small breaks, such as quick cardio workouts or five-minute walks, to recharge your brain.
🕹️ Ghazali’s lab is developing a video game called the Body Brain Trainer to enhance attention skills.
🏋️‍♂️ The game challenges both the mind and body, showing potential to improve focus and cognitive processing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Brain Power Today' series mentioned in the video?
-The 'Brain Power Today' series focuses on how technology affects our brain and provides solutions to cope with distractions caused by technology.
What negative effects does technology have on our brain, according to studies?
-Studies show that technology distractions cause anxiety, memory and sleep problems, poor relationships with family and friends, and lower performance at school and work.
Who is Adam Ghazali and why is he mentioned in the video?
-Adam Ghazali is a neuroscientist who struggled with technology distractions. He turned this struggle into his research and has studied the impact of technology on the brain.
Why do humans have a natural tendency to seek information, according to Ghazali?
-Ghazali compares humans’ need for information to how animals forage for food for survival. He explains that humans have a 'voracious appetite' for information, driven by our need for survival.
What are the first steps suggested by Ghazali to cope with distractions caused by technology?
-The first step is to be aware of the impact technology has on our interactions and productivity. Being conscious of how multitasking or using technology affects the quality of our tasks and relationships is key.
Is multitasking a productive way of working, according to the video?
-No, multitasking is not productive. According to Ghazali, switching between tasks causes degradation in performance, as the brain loses quality in the information processed with each switch.
How does Ghazali suggest we manage technology use to improve productivity?
-Ghazali suggests setting boundaries with technology. For example, he recommends scheduling multitasking periods for low-level tasks and allocating focused time for important tasks requiring full attention.
What role do breaks play in improving focus and reducing distractions?
-Taking small breaks, such as quick cardio workouts, socializing, or five-minute walks, helps recharge the brain and reduce vulnerability to distractions. These breaks provide mental restoration and alleviate anxiety and boredom.
What innovative solution is Ghazali developing to help with attention skills?
-Ghazali is developing an experimental video game called the 'Body Brain Trainer' at his lab in the University of California, San Francisco. The game combines physical and mental activities to boost attention and focus.
How does the 'Body Brain Trainer' help improve attention skills?
-The 'Body Brain Trainer' works by engaging the player in tasks that involve perception, processing, and physical movement, which enhances the brain's ability to focus and process information more effectively.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Introduction to the Series: Brain Power Today

This paragraph introduces the segment by highlighting Maria's week-long series, 'Brain Power Today.' The morning's focus is on technology's impact on our brains, particularly how it can be distracting. The segment promises solutions for managing distractions caused by technology.

📱 The Struggles with Tech Distractions

This section introduces Adam Ghazali, a neuroscientist who experienced the overwhelming distractions of technology in his own life. It touches on how technology can affect personal relationships and mentions studies showing that tech distractions can harm memory, sleep, relationships, and performance at work or school.

🧠 The Brain's Hunger for Information

Ghazali, a neuroscientist, explains that humans have an insatiable appetite for information, much like animals forage for food. This natural drive to consume information, combined with technology, can negatively affect our brains, making it harder to maintain focus and relationships.

📚 The Distracted Mind: A Public Health Issue

Multiple studies suggest that the constant distractions from technology could qualify as a public health issue. Ghazali discusses his book, 'The Distracted Mind,' and provides steps to help people manage technology more effectively for a healthier and happier life.

⚠️ Step 1: Awareness of Tech Distractions

The first step to managing tech distractions is becoming aware of them. Ghazali explains that being conscious of how multitasking diminishes the quality of interactions or tasks helps. For example, when using a phone during a conversation or splitting attention between tasks, the brain's ability to retain information is reduced.

⏰ Step 2: Set Boundaries with Technology

This step emphasizes creating time blocks for focused and multitasking activities. Ghazali suggests scheduling time for low-level multitasking like checking emails or Facebook, but also reserving specific periods for single-task focus to improve the quality of work.

🚶 Step 3: Take Breaks for Brain Restoration

Ghazali advises taking small breaks to recharge the brain, such as quick cardio workouts, socializing, or short walks. These breaks help reduce anxiety, combat boredom, and improve focus when returning to tasks.

🎮 Tech as a Solution: The Body Brain Trainer

Ghazali is developing a video game, 'The Body Brain Trainer,' at the University of California, San Francisco. This game combines physical and mental exercises to improve attention and cognitive skills, providing a fun way to enhance focus and brain performance.

👍 Conclusion and Call to Subscribe

The final section wraps up the video, encouraging viewers to subscribe to the channel for more content and to explore other videos with interviews, show highlights, and exclusive digital content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Distractions

Distractions refer to anything that diverts attention away from the task at hand, particularly technology in this context. The video emphasizes that technology, such as social media and emails, often causes distractions, leading to negative effects on mental health, relationships, and productivity. The neuroscientist Adam Ghazali mentions how distractions contribute to anxiety, sleep problems, and performance issues.

💡Multitasking

Multitasking is the act of performing multiple tasks simultaneously. In the video, it is mentioned that multitasking is not as effective as people believe. Ghazali explains that switching between tasks results in degraded performance, as the brain is forced to switch networks, reducing the quality of attention and information retention.

💡Brain networks

Brain networks are systems in the brain responsible for different types of cognitive functions. When multitasking, the brain switches between these networks, which, according to the video, leads to a degradation in task performance. Ghazali highlights how frequent switching between brain networks diminishes the quality of focus on any given task.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or unease that can be exacerbated by constant distractions from technology. The video mentions how technological distractions are linked to increased anxiety levels, negatively affecting mental well-being. Taking breaks and setting boundaries with technology can help alleviate this anxiety.

💡Boundaries with technology

Setting boundaries with technology means creating specific limits on when and how technology is used. Ghazali suggests allocating certain periods for focused work without distractions and other periods where multitasking is acceptable. This helps improve focus and reduce the negative impact of constant distractions.

💡Attention skills

Attention skills refer to the ability to concentrate on a task without getting distracted. The video discusses how technology weakens these skills, but Ghazali is working on methods to improve them, such as through the development of a video game designed to train both physical and mental attention capacities.

💡Memory problems

Memory problems are difficulties in recalling information, which the video links to constant technological distractions. Ghazali points out that technology impairs our ability to store and retrieve information, as frequent interruptions prevent the brain from fully processing or consolidating memories.

💡Public health crisis

A public health crisis refers to a widespread health issue that affects a large portion of the population. In the video, the impact of technological distractions on mental health, sleep, and personal relationships is considered severe enough that Ghazali suggests it could be viewed as a public health crisis requiring serious attention.

💡Small breaks

Small breaks are short pauses taken during tasks to rest and recharge. The video emphasizes the importance of taking these breaks, such as quick walks or brief social interactions, to restore focus and reduce the negative effects of distractions. Ghazali notes that these breaks are beneficial for managing anxiety and enhancing productivity.

💡Body-brain trainer

The body-brain trainer is an experimental video game being developed by Adam Ghazali's lab to enhance both mental and physical attention skills. The game works by engaging players in tasks that simultaneously challenge their cognitive and physical abilities. The aim is to strengthen attention systems and improve focus.

Highlights

Technology distractions are a major cause of anxiety, memory problems, and lower performance in school and work.

Adam Ghazali, a renowned neuroscientist, turned his struggle with distractions into his research, revealing the negative impact of technology on the brain.

The brain forages for information much like animals forage for food, which drives our insatiable need to consume information.

Studies show that technology can diminish our brain's capacity to focus, affecting relationships and performance.

Multitasking is a myth; switching between tasks degrades the quality of performance on each task.

Step 1: Be aware of how distractions impact your interactions and work quality. Awareness is key to improving focus.

Step 2: Set boundaries with technology—schedule specific times for multitasking and times for focused, singular attention.

Step 3: Take small breaks to recharge your brain—physical activities, socializing, and five-minute walks can reduce anxiety and improve focus.

The brain loses a bit of information each time it switches between tasks, leading to a degradation in task performance.

Breaks help restore attention and reduce anxiety, making your brain less vulnerable to distractions.

Quick cardio workouts or even five-minute outdoor walks can boost brain performance and attention span.

Ghazali is developing an experimental video game, the Body Brain Trainer, to improve both physical and mental attention skills.

The Body Brain Trainer integrates physical activity with cognitive exercises to enhance focus while making it fun.

The degradation in performance caused by multitasking is a significant contributor to workplace and academic inefficiencies.

Ghazali's research highlights that technology, while helpful, must be managed to prevent negative mental health outcomes.