Social Media: An Addiction That Impacts Your Mental Health

Neuropotential Clinics • December 21, 2018

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat. These are just a few of the most popular social media platforms used in Canada. According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), 74 percent of Canadians spend a minimum of 3-4 hours online per day. While this may not seem so bad, the effects of social media on your mental health suggest otherwise.

ACTIVATED REWARD CENTER

The reward center in the brain is a group of neurological structures responsible for positive emotions, motivation, and pleasure. Part of the reward center is the nucleus accumbens; a brain structure that receives correspondence from the ventral tegmental area. The ventral tegmental area is one of the areas of the brain that produces dopamine, a chemical that plays a major role in reward-motivated behaviour.

As you scroll through your instagram feed, your brain’s reward center is being activated and dopamine is being released from your brain. In addition, you will feel a higher sense of pleasure when you receive likes and comments on your posts. The more likes and comments you get, the higher your reward. Just like drugs, social scrolling can become addictive which is damaging to your mental well being.

LOSS OF SLEEP

Sleep is important for your physical health as it helps heal heart and blood vessels but it is equally as important for your mental health. Sleep helps with several brain functions, including the way neurons communicate with each other. It is also a way to remove toxins in the brain that build up from when you are awake.

Reading a book before bed used to be a very common practice but books are now replaced with smartphones. You might be thinking that scrolling through your twitter timeline before going to sleep is harmless, but did you know that your smartphone can actually make it harder for you to fall asleep? Studies have found that the blue light emitted from your smartphone reduces melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland and it plays a major role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin directly affects your sleep cycle which means that a lack of melatonin = lack of sleep.

PHANTOM VIBRATION SYNDROME

Have you ever felt your phone vibrate even though it wasn’t? If so, you may be suffering from phantom vibration syndrome. Phantom vibration syndrome is a condition where an individual has a false perception that their cell phone is ringing and/or vibrating at a time that it is not. Essentially, when an individual is constantly using their phone or has their phone in their pocket, their nervous system becomes hypersensitive which is why they feel these non-existent vibrations.

Research shows that 9 out of 10 people suffer from Phantom Vibration Syndrome. While this is an alarming number, little research has been done on treating this condition.

Overall, social media is a powerful tool that helps connect people to one another but like most things in life, social media should be used in moderation. Scrolling through Instagram, Facebook and twitter on a daily basis may not seem like a big deal but the number of hours you spend on these apps can have severe effects on your mental health. Be smart by knowing when to put your smartphone down.

REFERENCES

By Neuropotential Clinics August 29, 2024
Peak Performance Neurofeedback offers an innovative approach to mental and emotional well-being. Focusing on real-time brain training, neurofeedback is a method that aims to help improve brain function through feedback on brainwave activity. Developed over decades and rooted in EEG technology, neurofeedback measures brainwaves using sensors placed on the scalp. This data is processed and presented through visual or auditory cues, helping individuals become more aware of their brain's activity. This awareness may promote self-regulation and improve focus, mood, and stress management, supporting overall cognitive and emotional health. Potential Benefits of Neurofeedback Peak Performance Neurofeedback at a neurofeedback clinic may offer a range of potential benefits. Cognitive benefits can include improved focus and enhanced memory. Emotionally, patients might experience reduced anxiety and better emotional regulation. Neurofeedback may improve sleep and reduce migraines physically. It aims to help individuals achieve better mental and emotional balance by focusing on brainwave patterns and providing real-time feedback. This method encourages the brain to self-regulate, supporting overall well-being and daily functioning. Who Can Benefit from Neurofeedback? Peak Performance Neurofeedback at a neurofeedback clinic may help individuals with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. It can also benefit healthy individuals seeking to optimize their cognitive and emotional performance. These can include doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, high-level management, actors and actresses, and athletes, to name a few. Neurofeedback is suitable for children, adults, and seniors, providing a noninvasive way to improve brain function. This method encourages the brain to self-regulate through real-time feedback, supporting better focus, emotional balance, and overall well-being. Patients may find that neurofeedback helps them manage their symptoms more effectively and achieve their personal and professional goals. Tips for choosing a reputable neurofeedback provider Choosing a reputable neurofeedback provider is crucial for effective treatment. When considering Peak Performance Neurofeedback at a clinic, patients should ask about the provider's qualifications, experience, and success rates. They should also inquire about the type of equipment used and the customization of treatment plans. Professional guidance and monitoring are essential to ensure safety and maximize benefits. Making an informed decision involves understanding the potential risks and benefits, setting realistic expectations, and committing to the recommended treatment schedule. This approach can help patients achieve optimal results and improve their overall well-being. Peak Performance Neurofeedback offers numerous benefits, including improved focus, reduced anxiety, and better emotional regulation. This method can support mental and emotional well-being by encouraging the brain to self-regulate. For those interested in exploring neurofeedback, it is worth learning more about its potential. Neurofeedback could be a valuable step towards enhancing your overall health. To start, contact a reputable provider like Neuropotential Clinic for a consultation. Professional guidance can help you understand how neurofeedback may benefit you and tailor a plan to meet your needs.
By Neuropotential Clinics July 11, 2024
To aid those who have experienced stress, Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET) emphasizes the physiological responses and emotions of the body. Trauma can show up in the body as tightness, pain, and other signs of discomfort. SET focuses on these bodily responses to try to release trauma-related energy. With this, people may feel and grow better. Understanding Somatic Experiencing Therapy Somatic feeling goes beyond standard talk therapy, which focuses on talking things out and looks at how stress affects the body. Somatic experience is all about figuring out how pain affects the body. If people pay attention to these body signals, they can slowly release stress energy and feel better. SET came from the research of Dr. Peter A. Levine, who saw how animals naturally release energy after being stressed, keeping the pain from becoming ingrained in their bodies. Because of this, ideas like pendulation, scaling, and closure were created in somatic feeling treatment. In contrast to standard talk therapy, which focuses on talking, SET uses body feelings and moves to help people deal with stress. Benefits of Somatic Experiencing Therapy Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET) may provide a variety of cognitive, social and physical health benefits. SET may be a safe place where individuals can talk about their experiences and find solutions in times of hard emotions. When what is being referred to are psychological difficulties like nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts, SET helps patients process difficult memories. After integrating these possible occurrences into their story, many clients claim that they regain more control over their lives. This research has identified the successfulness of SET as an aid for people to achieve their goals. The study findings reveal that the wellbeing, resilience and happiness of individuals can be substantially affected by SET. If clients recognize and manage their physiological responses to stress, they will be better able to adjust to and manage future challenges. The goal of Somatic Experiencing Therapy (S.E.T.) is to help trauma survivors recover physically, socially, and psychologically. S.E.T. also promotes resilience and self-regulation. Conclusion In conclusion, addressing trauma at the bodily level is crucial for comprehensive healing. By recognizing the impact of trauma on the body and integrating somatic trauma therapy into treatment plans, individuals can experience profound physical, emotional, and psychological benefits. We encourage those seeking healing from within to explore Somatic Experiencing Therapy. This approach offers a unique avenue for processing trauma by focusing on the body's innate capacity for healing and resilience. Through guided techniques and a supportive therapeutic environment, individuals can journey towards reclaiming their well-being and restoring balance in their lives. For those interested in pursuing Somatic Experiencing Therapy, we recommend consulting with Neuropotential Clinics. Our team of experienced professionals specializes in providing comprehensive somatic trauma treatment tailored to meet each client's individual needs. With their expertise and compassionate approach, Neuropotential Clinics can support you on your path to healing and recovery. Remember, healing is possible, and you deserve to live a life free from the burdens of trauma. Take the first step towards healing from within with Somatic Experiencing Therapy.
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Neurofeedback as an anxiety treatment is an entirely novel concept. The following explains how it works: Sensors are attached to you and monitor your brain waves; you receive visual or audible indications when your brain relaxes. So, over time, this training may help to regulate brainwave activity, which may help you better handle your anxiety. Now, let's discuss anxiety problems. They go far beyond merely feeling apprehensive before delivering a large presentation. Anxiety disorders are marked by excessive worry, panic attacks, and even physical signs like sweating and a fast heartbeat. They can make daily life very difficult. Because it directly affects the way the brain works, neurofeedback for anxiety could be a very effective way to lower worry and improve general health. With further research and development, it has the promising potential to become one of the most effective mental health treatments. Understanding Anxiety Disorders It is important to know what anxiety illnesses are in order to deal with the issues they cause. People who have anxiety disorders often worry or fear too much, which can make it hard for them to go about their daily lives. Some of the most common types of anxiety disorders are panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, major anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Some of the signs of all of these anxiety conditions are the same, like being angry, nervous, or having trouble focusing. Today, there are only therapeutic, medicinal as well as lifestyle modification methods which are available to treat anxiety disorders. Although these methods may prove effective for many, they tend to fail for some. Moreover, most of these methods also have specific side effects that worsen the condition. This is where Neurofeedback for Anxiety can help. There are specific Neurofeedback clinics that provide the benefit of advanced computerized technology, which retrains the brain of the patient to reduce symptoms of anxiety. While the research and development in this field is still going on, neurofeedback for anxiety disorders has the potential for significant change in the mental health field. What is Neurofeedback Therapy? The brain's ability to learn and change is called neuroplasticity, and neurofeedback takes advantage of this. Sensors are placed on the heads of neurofeedback patients to determine what their brain is doing and then help regulate it. Theta, delta, alpha, and beta waves in the brain are thought to be involved in how we think and feel. Neurofeedback tells people in real time about their brainwave rhythms. Patients practice being calm, relaxed, and present and are rewarded with auditory or visual feedback to help reinforce these changes. Patients can learn to control these feelings by practicing over and over again, which helps them feel less anxious over time. Clinical Applications of Neurofeedback for Anxiety Imagine that you are having a hard time worrying and that standard treatments aren't working well. Neurofeedback centers can help by giving you a personalized plan that may work for you. More and more research and case studies are coming out that look good. Neurofeedback training for anxiety conditions has higher success rates, and benefits that may last for a long time and doesn't involve any pills or treatments that could have side effects. The best part is that neurofeedback treatment is tailored to your brain. In wrapping up our discussion, let's circle back to the game-changing potential of Neurofeedback for Anxiety . We've uncovered how this innovative intervention works by training your brain to manage anxiety more effectively, all without invasive procedures or medications. If anxiety is holding you back, don't suffer in silence. Neuropotential clinics are staffed with professionals ready to guide you toward relief. By seeking professional guidance and exploring treatment options like neurofeedback, you are taking a proactive step toward reclaiming peace of mind. And here's the silver lining: The future looks bright. With ongoing advancements in neuroscience and mental health care, neurofeedback therapy is poised to become an even more promising solution for anxiety disorders. Take heart—there's hope on the horizon. In conclusion, Neurofeedback for Anxiety isn't just a buzzword. It provides hope for those seeking relief from the grip of anxiety. Let's leap together toward a future. Where anxiety is better managed.
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