What is popcorn brain? Know whether you have it and the ways to combat it

Social media is growing at a lightning speed and sometimes it’s too overwhelming to catch up with everything online or to pay attention to things. This may happen due to a condition called ‘popcorn brain’.

What is ‘popcorn brain’?

Popcorn brain is a term used colloquially to describe a mind that seems to jump rapidly from one thought to another, much like popcorn popping in a pan. It suggests a mind that is easily distracted, constantly shifting focus, or prone to racing thoughts. This term may be used to describe someone who has difficulty concentrating or maintaining attention on a single task for a long time. It can also refer to a state of mind characterized by a scattered or disjointed thought process.

The term was first coined in 2011 by University of Washington researcher David Levy and is now used and connected with the constantly decreasing attention span of people overtime.

As reported by New York Post, a study found that 62.3% of the global population is on social media, with the average daily usage at 2 hours and 23 minutes.

What do experts say about ‘popcorn brain’?

According to experts, continuously scrolling through new content, notifications, interactions, and ads can lead to a repeated release of small amounts of dopamine in the brain, which serves as a reward and perpetuates the cycle.

Psychologist Dannielle Haig told Glamour UK that excessively scrolling and browsing through new posts, alerts, engagements, and advertisements triggers a small dopamine release that rewards the brain and fuels the cycle.

“Over time, this constant demand for attention and the rapid switching between tasks can lead to a feeling of mental restlessness or the brain ‘bouncing around’ as it struggles to maintain focus on any one task for an extended period.” Haig explained.

Simple ways to ease a 'popcorn brain'

Limit Screen Time: Reducing the time spent on digital gadgets, social media and apps that encourage constant scrolling can be helpful.

Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness activities such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help focus your attention and calm racing thoughts.

Set Priorities: Make lists or use a planner to prioritize tasks and break them down into smaller, manageable steps.

Single Tasking: Focus on one task at a time rather than trying to multitask, which can contribute to scattered thinking.

Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks during work or study sessions to give your brain time to rest and recharge.

Physical Exercise: Regular physical activities like walking, running or cycling is also beneficial as exercise can help improve focus and concentration.

Establish Routines: Stick to a consistent daily routine to help train your brain to focus and reduce the likelihood of distractions.

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