Okay, so I’ve been seeing this “TikTok brainrot” thing everywhere, and honestly, I was kinda curious. Like, is it a real thing? Are people’s brains actually melting from watching too many short videos? I decided to do a little experiment on myself. Nothing crazy, just, you know, a bit of controlled exposure and observation.
Phase 1: Dipping My Toes In
First, I downloaded TikTok. I’d avoided it for a long time, figuring it was just silly dances and lip-syncing. I created an account, and… wow. The algorithm is intense. Within like, ten minutes, it had me pegged. My “For You” page was suddenly full of stuff I actually found kinda interesting – cooking tips, weird animal facts, people making art. It was a black hole.
Phase 2: Going Down the Rabbit Hole
I set a timer for 30 minutes each day. Just to see what would happen. The first few days, it was fine. I’d watch my videos, chuckle a bit, and then move on with my life. But then… things started to change. I noticed I was reaching for my phone more often. That 30-minute timer? Yeah, I started “accidentally” letting it run over. An hour, sometimes two, just… gone. Poof. I started to lose time.
- I felt that my ability to concentrate had diminished.
- And I couldn’t focus on one thing for long.
Phase 3: The Brain Fog Sets In
This is where it got a little weird. I found myself struggling to focus on other things. Like, I’d be reading a book, and my brain would just… wander. I’d have to re-read the same paragraph multiple times. I even started having trouble following conversations. It was like my brain was constantly craving that next hit of quick, easy entertainment. I felt so impationt with long-form videos.
Phase 4: Pulling Back (and Feeling It)
Okay, this was getting a little scary. So, I decided to cut back. Cold turkey. I deleted the app. The first day was rough. I felt… antsy. Like I was missing something. I kept reaching for my phone, only to remember there was nothing to scroll through. I was fidgety and easily distracted. Classic withdrawal symptoms, I guess. I wanted to do samething else but can’t do them well.
Phase 5: The Aftermath (and Some Thoughts)
It’s been a few weeks now, and I’m feeling… better. My focus is slowly returning. I can read without my mind drifting every five seconds. But honestly, that “brainrot” feeling? It was real. It wasn’t just some meme. It was a genuine shift in how my brain was working.
I observed how I felt,I understood what had changed, and I could see and feel the changes in my behavior and ability to focus.
So, my conclusion? TikTok, in moderation, is probably fine. But that algorithm is designed to be addictive. It’s engineered to keep you scrolling. And if you’re not careful, it can absolutely mess with your ability to focus and think clearly. Be mindful, set limits, and don’t let those short videos steal your brainpower!
