Lately, every time I go to a café, I see the same scene: everyone on TikTok, swiping endlessly, laughing briefly, and then… sighing. Some people finish a 5-second video and immediately move on to the next, their minds clearly “tired but still trying to watch a little more.” I found it funny, but honestly, also a bit worrying. That feeling of “watching a lot but not enjoying it anymore” was when I started asking myself: are we experiencing brain rot?
Curious, I decided to look into it. And the more I read and observed, the more I realized this is no joke. Brain rot is slowly affecting many young people, in ways they themselves often don’t even notice.
Causes of Brain Rot
Brain rot is a condition where your brain gets worn down from receiving information too quickly, too intensely, and too superficially. You know a lot of things, but nothing truly sticks. It’s like snacking all day: plenty of food, but never full, and your body ends up exhausted.
In the past, things moved more slowly: reading books, enjoying afternoon tea, having deep conversations. Now, if the first 3 seconds of a video are boring, we swipe to the next one. The brain hasn’t had time to process, emotions haven’t had time to connect, yet the habit just keeps repeating.
Signs That You Might Be Experiencing Brain Rot
Try checking yourself.
If you find it hard to sit still and focus for more than 10 minutes, reach for TikTok during even a few free seconds, work with your mind feeling blank, struggle to learn no matter how hard you try, or feel sad, discouraged, or tired without knowing why… your brain might be “asking for help.”
Sometimes you keep entertaining yourself nonstop but no longer feel joy. That’s a red flag.
Phenomena That Accelerate Brain Rot Among Young People
The most obvious phenomenon is mindlessly scrolling through TikTok and Reels. 5–10 second clips are designed to constantly stimulate, training your brain to expect “quick rewards.” This makes anything slightly slow instantly boring. Focusing for 10 minutes feels like climbing a mountain.
Another interesting thing I’ve noticed is that many people now always have background noise: reactions, livestreams, podcasts, remix music… Not really to listen, but just to fill the silence. Yet this constant “background noise” overloads the brain without us realizing it. Turn it off for a moment, and suddenly everything feels empty and uncomfortable, as if the brain doesn’t know how to rest anymore.
Drama also contributes to “wearing down” the brain. Every day brings a new conflict, from online arguments to meaningless scandals. The brain gets sucked in continuously, emotions haven’t recovered before it has to process the next negative piece of information. Over time, this makes the mind easily fatigued, easily irritated, and difficult to calm—while calmness is something traditional values have always cherished.
Additionally, silly memes, meaningless trends, and low-effort comedy are everywhere, training the brain to crave fast, shocking, short entertainment. After too much exposure, serious matters suddenly feel hard to handle, and responsibilities or studying become exhausting.
What worries me most is the rise of “self-proclaimed experts.” Ten-second advice, condensed life philosophies, instant healing hacks—sounds insightful, but lacks foundation. Repeatedly taking in misleading knowledge not only rots the brain but also skews it.
Simple Ways to Recover Your Brain
I’ve tried countless ways to quit my phone: turning off notifications, setting time limits, deleting apps… and five minutes later, I’d download them again like we’d never broken up. After many humiliating failures, I realized the truth: for the brain to recover, the best methods are the ones that don’t require thinking.
My simple brain-healing formula:
Going out + having someone with you + mild fatigue or mild fun = no urge to grab your phone.
First: go for a walk with friends.
Walking alone is boring, and boredom leads to phone use. But walking with friends makes it “awkward” to look at your phone because bending down to stare at the screen while walking looks like you’re searching for lost money. Suddenly, you quit naturally.
Second: go hiking.
The ultimate detox is tiring yourself to the point where you have no energy left to scroll. Try climbing a hill for 30 minutes, and your brain only thinks of two words: “water” and “rest.” Social media? Who has time.
Third: join activities with a community that barely uses their phones.
Like dance classes, book clubs, or handmade workshops… In these places, if you pull out your phone, you immediately look out of place. You naturally feel the need to blend in and let your phone take a little nap.
Fourth: spend time with people whose presence makes you reluctant to use your phone.
Someone whose conversation is so engaging that you fear missing the next part if you look at your phone. Or simply people who give you a traditional, heavy-look that silently says, “Put the phone down.”
Conclusion
Brain rot isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s simply a reminder that you’re living in an era that moves too fast, and your brain isn’t a machine.
Understanding this helps you learn to slow down without missing out on life. Staying mentally strong and maintaining depth is how you become stronger in this chaotic world.
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Linkachu – Someone who has battled weight for nearly 20 years and is currently exploring the “eat fully, still lose weight” method.
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