Scrolling through Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, or YouTube shorts may feel like a harmless way to kill your time, but neuroscientists warn that the effects on the brain could be more alarming and concerning than we think.

Several studies suggest that short-form videos trigger reward pathways in ways similar to addictive substances like alcohol, while neurologists in India caution about long-term rewiring of motivation, focus, and even memory.

According to a peer-reviewed study published in NeuroImage, led by Professor Qiang Wang from Tianjin Normal University, heavy short-video users show increased activity in the brain’s reward pathways, the very circuits that light up during addictions like alcohol or gambling.

“Short-form video addiction is a global public health threat, with users in China spending 151 minutes daily on average, and 95.5 per cent of internet users are engaged. This high-intensity ‘instant reward’ consumption not only impairs attention, sleep and mental health but also increases depression risk,” said Prof. Wang. Other research has shown how short-form videos can negatively impact attention spans, cognitive skills, and even short-term memory.