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Dr. Sahar Yousef (cognitive neuroscientist, UC Berkeley Haas) ran a 9-week…
Brief
A group of UC Berkeley students completed a 9-week digital detox led by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Sahar Yousef (UC Berkeley Haas), with participants reporting less anxiety and depression and greater mindfulness. Yousef also warned that heavy daily tech use may be linked to brain atrophy in areas for self-awareness and cognitive control, calling the evidence emerging and urging longer-term research.
Why it matters
Dr. Sahar Yousef (cognitive neuroscientist, UC Berkeley Haas) ran a 9-week digital detox with UC Berkeley students and reported reductions in anxiety and depression alongside increased mindfulness; participants said they began noticing positive aspects of real life after stopping constant scrolling.
Key details
- Yousef warned that heavy daily tech habits may be linked to brain atrophy and degradation of brain areas tied to self-awareness and cognitive control, described the evidence as emerging, and called for more long-term studies; post published on X by @newstart_2024 on 2026-05-05.