There are many buzzwords and slang terms that come and go, like "rizz" or "demure," but few make it as far as becoming an Oxford Word of the Year. In 2024, "brain rot" has. You might be wondering what this term means and if it's something that affects you.
The truth is that many people struggle with brain rot without even realizing it. If you've ever found yourself struggling to focus or concentrate, feeling 'fuzzy,' or having trouble coming up with new or complex ideas, brain rot could be the culprit.
Let's dig deeper into brain rot, a phenomenon that's grown far beyond everyday slang, with insights from ‘The Brain that Changes Itself’ by Norman Doidge, M.D., ‘Spark’ by John J. Ratey, MD, and 'Hardwiring Happiness' by Rick Hanson, PhD.
What is brain rot?
The term "brain rot" was first coined by Henry David Thoreau in his work, 'Walden.' So, it's clear that brain rot isn't something new! When Thoreau talked about "brain rot," he meant the supposed deterioration of a person's cognitive function. In the book Walden, he focused on people who avoided interacting with nature or followed societal norms without thinking. He believed that stepping away from the crowd and jumping into the tranquility of the natural world was the answer to boosting brain health and attention span. It was the first recorded use of the term "brain rot," long before online content existed.
Fast-forward to the 21st century, and "brain rot" has evolved while keeping its core meaning. Today, it's often thrown around in discussions about digital overconsumption among young people, like spending too much time on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram or scrolling through memes. With smartphones effectively becoming our fifth limb, it's no wonder the conversation about mental consumption has turned digital!
Ultimately, the term now refers to the effects of endless social media scrolling, binge-watching shows for hours, or devoting hours to clicking through the latest low-quality viral content. This pattern leads to reduced cognitive function over time and affects mental health. Basically, we're not challenging our brains with anything of substance at work or in our free time!
As Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains in his book 'Keep Sharp,' improving cognitive function relies upon exercising the brain through mental exercises to beat decline.
"You need to use your mind in a manner that gets you out of your comfort zone and demands more long-term memory."
Oxford's new Word of the Year
Every year, the English Oxford University Press announces its Word of the Year, chosen through public voting from a shortlist and information from analysts. In 2024, "brain rot" received more than 37,000 votes and was crowned the winner of the Oxford Word of the Year 2024 by the President of Oxford Languages, Casper Grathwohl.
These days, we spend a lot of time on various devices and rarely do anything that doesn't involve a screen. Very few of us simply follow Thoreau's advice to head into nature or live in the real world. Instead, we succumb to mind-numbing cycles of viral content. Even our friendships often come from online communities rather than face-to-face interactions. Now that we're living in the online world, it's no surprise that this term has become so popular!
Oxford's new Word of the Year
Every year, the English Oxford University Press announces its Word of the Year, chosen through public voting from a shortlist and information from analysts. In 2024, "brain rot" received more than 37,000 votes and was crowned the winner of the Oxford Word of the Year by the President of Oxford Languages, Casper Grathwohl.
These days, we spend a lot of time on various devices and rarely do anything that doesn't involve a screen. Very few of us simply follow Thoreau's advice to head into nature or live in the real world. Instead, we succumb to mind-numbing cycles of viral content. Even our friendships often come from online communities rather than face-to-face interactions. Now that we're living in the online world, it's no surprise that this term has become so popular!
Do you have brain rot?
Let's look at the main signs and symptoms to understand if brain rot is affecting your life. Before we do that, remember that brain rot itself isn't a medical condition or a form of cognitive science. While its symptoms relate to cognitive decline, don't worry! It isn't the type of decline that can't be stopped and reversed.
The most common signs to watch for include:
Memory problems: You might have trouble remembering recent events or what happened last year and often forget where you put things.
Problem-solving and planning difficulties: You might notice that following a plan or working with numbers is harder than usual. Keeping track of things like monthly bills can also be challenging.
Difficulty completing daily tasks: Things that used to be simple and routine have suddenly become more complex. For instance, you might make an odd wrong turn when driving on a familiar route.
Confusing times and places: Perhaps you forget important dates or lose track of time more often.
Visual images cause problems: You might struggle with reading and judging distances, both of which are common symptoms.
Losing your train of thought: When you're engaged in a conversation, you might suddenly forget what you want to say or struggle to find the right words.
Social withdrawal: In the worst cases, you might withdraw from the activities you once enjoyed and become less social overall.
Before you panic, daily scrolling rarely causes all these symptoms at once. However, too much screen time and ignoring early signs can accelerate such deterioration over time.
Jeffrey M. Schwartz delves deeper into the inner workings of the brain and how it is affected by screen time in his best-seller, 'The Mind and the Brain.' Here, he talks about the fact you can retrain your brain over time and direct its attention where you want it to go.
"The life we lead, in other words, leaves its mark in the form of enduring changes in the complex circuitry of the brain-footprints of the experiences we have had, the actions we have taken. This is neuroplasticity."
Brain rot in the modern-day
It's fascinating to look back and see how brain rot has gained new prominence across different generations. This issue isn't new, and with how fast technology advances, it's only increased our awareness of screen time's effects.
Baby Boomers & Generation X
For Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and Generation X (born 1965-1980), brain rot mainly results from television and video games. This era marked when brain rot became firmly linked to technology.
Back then, parents became worried about their children watching too much TV or spending hours playing arcade games. They feared excessive screen time could dull their minds and distract them from beneficial activities like reading and physical play.
Millennials
Millennials (born 1981-1996) grew up alongside fast-developing digital technologies and online platforms, which changed how they learned, entertained themselves, and connected with others. During this time, brain rot was about information overload — a bombardment of data from multiple online sources, making it hard to concentrate and think deeply.
Generation Z & Alpha
Generation Z (born 1997-2012) brought brain rot into the mainstream. Gen Z are digital natives born into a world where high-speed internet, smartphones, and social media are the norm. This generation has gained a reputation for having the highest exposure to the cognitive overload that earlier generations were worried about.
With platforms like TikTok and Snapchat playing a substantial role in their day-to-day lives, along with constant notifications, there's growing concern about reduced attention spans and a preference for digital communication over face-to-face interactions.
Gen Alpha is firmly in the midst of the technological age, making them more at risk of brain rot than anyone else. However, many youngsters are overcoming this with a strong focus on mindfulness and screen-free time.
Will brain rot always be a 'thing'?
It certainly looks that way. Looking back at how brain rot has evolved, the content and platforms have changed, but concerns about new technologies hurting cognitive and social skills remain consistent. Yet, it's not all bad. Each generation also finds unique ways to harness these technologies positively. For example, many Gen Z members use digital platforms for educational purposes, such as YouTube tutorials or educational apps, which can counterbalance the idea of brain rot.
And this isn't just limited to one location. From England to New York, brain rot affects a wide variety of lives.
So, while the views on brain rot have changed over the decades and concerns continue, it's clear that each generation adapts and sometimes thrives using the same digital tools. With Gen Alpha following the same patterns, perhaps the answer is simply balance and awareness.
Beat brain rot with Headway
If you find yourself struggling to come up with new ideas or feel like you've got a constant fog in your brain, there is some good news coming your way. Brain rot might be a risk, but simply being aware of your screen time is the first step toward beating it. Another fantastic way to kick brain rot to the curb is through Headway's inspiring book summaries.
For instance, 'Hardwiring Happiness' by Rick Hanson PhD is an inspiring read that talks about the responsive and reactive sides of the brain and how to harness them to live happily. You can read the summary on the Headway app.
"By taking just a few extra seconds to stay with a positive experience—even the comfort in a single breath—you’ll help turn a passing mental state into lasting neural structure."
Screen time isn't always negative, especially when it's related to education and self-development. With Headway, you can listen to or read summaries of the world's best-selling non-fiction books and take on board fantastic insights to expand your knowledge and skills. With this, you're not mindlessly scrolling through cat videos on TikTok but dedicating your time to boosting your brain function and learning something new.
Download Headway today and wave goodbye to brain rot!
