The brain benefits of not using your cell phone for 72 hours: improvements in neurons, desire, and motivation

Research conducted by the University of Heidelberg and published in Computers in Human Behavior showed the benefits the brain gains when you stop using your cell phone for 72 hours.

The study involved 25 adults, ages 18 to 30, who were frequent smartphone users. They were recruited through flyers, posters on university campuses, city centers, and social media ads.

Scientists asked them to limit their device use to strictly essential functions, such as work, school, and daily communication with family , among others, for a period of three days.

Before beginning the study, participants completed several questionnaires assessing their mood, frequency of cell phone use, and level of desire for it.

After the initial evaluation, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to observe their baseline brain activity.

During the 72-hour study, participants only had access to their cell phones for essential tasks. They then underwent another MRI to analyze the various changes while their phones were on and off.

The brain scan results showed changes in certain brain regions, so much so that the authors compared this pattern to that seen in addiction to psychoactive substances or alcohol.

On the other hand, cell phone use caused alterations in brain areas associated with dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that are essential for regulating mood.

“Our data do not separate the desire to use a smartphone from the desire for social interaction, which are currently two closely intertwined processes. While our data show relatively robust findings without disentangling these processes, future studies should clearly aim to address this aspect ,” the researchers explained.

Although researchers are aware that the advent of smartphones is changing people's lives, their excessive use could be linked to mood swings.

“The identified neural mechanisms may substantially promote addictive behavior in individuals at risk for excessive smartphone use ,” they stated.

DIGITAL REACH EDITORIAL