One scroll is a funny dog video. The next one’s something you can’t unsee. If your social media feed has felt like an emotional minefield lately, you’re not imagining it—and the science says your brain is paying the price.

In this bonus episode of The Healthy Life Approach Podcast, certified brain health coach Kristen Beasley breaks down the latest research on what short-form video (TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts) is doing to your brain, including a massive 2025 meta-analysis of nearly 100,000 people published in Psychological Bulletin. She covers why this is especially concerning for women in perimenopause and menopause, and shares 5 practical strategies you can start using tonight to protect your brain health without quitting social media.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How short-form video hijacks your dopamine system and creates addictive scroll loops

• What the largest study ever conducted on this topic found about attention, impulse control, and working memory

• Why “brain rot” was named Oxford’s Word of the Year—and the real science behind the slang

• How emotional whiplash from graphic content impacts your hippocampus and memory

• The connection between short-form video, ADHD symptoms, and menopause

• 5 strategies to take back control of your feed and your focus

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Research cited in this episode:

• Nguyen et al. (2025). “Feeds, Feelings, and Focus.” Psychological Bulletin. 98,299 participants across 71 studies.

• Gao et al. (2025). NeuroImage. Structural brain changes in heavy short-form video users.

• Oxford University Press (2024). “Brain Rot” — Word of the Year.

• Jiang & Ma (2024). Brief TikTok exposure reduces analytic thinking. • ADDitude Magazine. 94% of women with ADHD report that menopause worsens symptoms.

• Mark et al. (2008). UC Irvine. 23 minutes to refocus after a context switch.

Resources mentioned:

• Pomodoro Timer: https://amzn.to/4tGGYAG

• Change Your Brain Every Day by Dr. Daniel Amen: https://amzn.to/40hRbpP

• Brain Wash by Dr. Austin Perlmutter & Dr. David Perlmutter: https://amzn.to/4kFJq6m

🎙️ Subscribe to The Healthy Life Approach Podcast for weekly episodes on brain health, hormones, and becoming the CEO of your own health.

Connect with Kristen:

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: https://healthylifeapproach.com/why-your-feed-feels-like-a-minefield-right-now-and-what-its-doing-to-your-brain/

🏥 Website: healthylifeapproach.com

📱 Instagram: @kristenjbeasley

• Free Download: https://healthy-life-approach-llc-2.kit.com/7ef2ce821a

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical professional. The information shared in this episode is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified health provider.