What Social Media is Doing to Our Attention Spans (and What We Can Do About It)

In this episode of SSRI’M OK, hosts Dr. Bijan Zarrabi, a psychiatrist, and Macey Isaacs, a stand-up comedian, talk about social media and what it’s doing to our attention spans. From flashlight metaphors to memory recall, they explore how attention works, what “brain rot” really means, and how to use social media more intentionally.

They dive into the science behind attention, including why multitasking can actually make it harder to focus and how engaging with multiple forms of media at once might affect memory and sustained concentration. Macey and Bijan also talk about the difference between passively scrolling and deeply engaging with a book or movie—and why that difference matters for your brain.

They cover:

• What is attention, and why your brain is like a flashlight
• The limited, precious nature of attention
• Why it’s so easy to procrastinate with social media
• The concept of “brain rot” and whether it holds up
• Passive consumption vs. immersive media
• Research on media multitasking and attention
• Is the problem the amount of time we spend on social media—or how we use it?
• Tips and tools for more intentional use (including Opal and Brick)
• The link between attention, memory, and even pupil dilation

Plus, Bijan shares a personal story about being sleepy at the wheel, and the episode ends with both hosts sharing what’s helping them feel “OK” these days.

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Art by Zoe Zakson

Music by Raul Garcia

Edited by Katie Hettenbach

 

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