By Jnanendra Das
Losing your mind LOL-ing over reels and memes? If you are spending too much time doom-scrolling or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or YouTube Shorts, you might be suffering from “brain rot”, the Oxford “word of the year” 2024.
Six contenders, including the words ‘slop’ and ‘demure’, were shortlisted by Oxford University Press’ language experts to reflect some of the moods and conversations that have shaped the past year, and brain rot came out on top after a public vote of more than 37,000 people worldwide.
Brain rot has been linked to mental fogginess, reduced attention span and cognitive decline, but what is it? And is there anything we can do to prevent these negative side effects?
What is Brain Rot, Oxford’s Word of the Year 2024?
Brain rot (noun) has been defined by Oxford as, “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging”.
Oxford’s language experts noticed that ‘brain rot’ gained new prominence this year. The term captures concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The word’s frequency increased by 230% from 2023 to 2024.
The First Usage
Some consider this an old term which has come back into fashion, but there is an online debate about its origin in today’s context.
The usage of this term predates the Internet. First used by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 book “Walden”, he criticises society’s tendency to devalue complex ideas and how this is part of a general decline in mental and intellectual effort.
This led him to question: “While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”
The Problem with Brain Rot Content
Initially gaining traction on social media platforms among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities— ’brain rot’ is now seeing more widespread use, such as in mainstream journalism, amidst societal concerns about the negative impact of overconsuming online content. It has also been used more specifically and consistently about online culture. Often used in a humorous or self-deprecating manner by online communities.
This content has given rise to emerging ‘brain rot language’—such as ‘skibidi’, meaning something nonsensical, ‘gyatt’, ‘delulu’, or last year’s winning word, ‘rizz,’ which shows how words now evolve and get shaped and formed through online communities.
The genre of “brain rot content” online feeds the dopamine-hungry younger population on the Internet making them hooked to excess screen time. According to Harvard Medical School research, the growing human brain is constantly building neural connections while pruning away less-used ones, and digital media use plays an active role in that process. Much of what happens on screen provides “impoverished” stimulation to the developing brain compared to reality.
As per a study published in the World Psychiatry Journal by Anglia Ruskin University (UK), overconsumption of low-quality or brain-rot content and excessive screen time have far-reaching implications for brain development, sleep, and behaviour. Digital media often lacks the rich stimulation needed for cognitive growth, limiting creativity and imagination. Prolonged screen use, particularly before bedtime, disrupts sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin, and impairing memory and learning.
Additionally, addictive features in games and social media overstimulate the brain’s reward pathways, making self-regulation challenging for young users. A balanced approach is crucial, integrating offline experiences and mindful use to enhance benefits while mitigating harms
Combat Brain Rot
Combating brain rot involves changing lifestyle choices and wise screen time use. Combating brain rot means increasing attention span and mindfulness. Here are 6 ways that can help you to deal with it:
1. Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries for daily screen use, prioritising offline activities like reading, hobbies, or trekking.
2. Pomodoro Technique: It is a time management method that involves breaking work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short 5-minute break. After completing four Pomodoros, a longer break of 15–30 minutes is taken. This helps if you have a shorter attention span.
3. Balanced Sleep Hygiene: Avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime to ensure restorative sleep. Also, make sure to keep your phone away from your hand’s reach. Alternatively, turn off notifications.
4. Digital Detox: Although a cliché, digital detox and going cold turkey include screen-free periods or days to rest and recharge the mind. You can also take up a 21-day social media free challenge to inculcate this habit.
5. Mindful Practices: Engage in meditation or mindfulness to enhance focus and reduce overstimulation.
6. Positive Stimulation: Engage with material that challenges you, like learning a new skill, solving puzzles, or having meaningful conversations. It’s about feeding your mind with quality content.
Choose content that aligns with your interests and values, such as documentaries, thoughtful podcasts or books that inspire you. Touch grass.