“Social media are generally visual stimuli,” says neurologist Frank Visscher of the Adrz hospital in Zeeland. “In contrast to physical stimuli that you get when you touch each other, for example, visual stimuli put a lot of strain on your brain. They contain a lot of information.” Research shows that stopping social media for one week can already lead to a decrease in feelings of depression and anxiety.
Dopamine
Yet it is difficult to stop and that is because of the addictive effect of social media. “With every like you get, your brain releases droplets of dopamine. That gives a pleasant experience and we always want more of that,” says Visscher.
overstimulation
Stopping is therefore more difficult than expected. You get real withdrawal symptoms just like with an alcohol or drug addiction. Once you have stopped, you will immediately reap the benefits. “Your internal activity will diminish and the storm in your head, of overstimulation, will pass. Your brain really needs that every now and then.”
By: National Education Guide / Femke van Arendonk