How can television affect your brain

Some of these brain differences could be benign: an increase in the visual cortex's volume is likely caused by exercising eyesight while watching TV. But thickening in the hypothalamus is characteristic of patients with borderline personality disorder, increased aggressiveness and mood disorders.

Perhaps watching TV shows, with their high density of drama, action and comedy, engages circuits of arousal and emotion such that these areas, rather than circuits of intellect, strengthen. This change could lead to psychological and behavioral issues. Previous studies have shown that for each additional hour of television watched in childhood, the odds of developing symptoms of depression increase by 8 percent and the odds of being convicted of a crime increase by 27 percent. And other findings suggest that for every two hours watched in one's youth, the odds of developing type 2 diabetes increase by 20 percent.

There are many possible explanations for these links. TV viewing is generally sedentary and solitary, denying children many health benefits of physical activity and socialization. The development of verbal proficiency, reasoning and other intellectual abilities could atrophy from passively viewing a screen.

But the correlation between TV viewing and brain and behavioral changes does not necessarily tell us the whole story. The quandary scientists face is determining whether TV viewing causes changes in brain and behavior or whether preexisting personal traits or other conditions underlie binge watching.

Schwartz and Beaver analyzed middle and high school students to look for associations between TV viewing and a range of factors such as race, gender, antisocial behavior and incarceration for violent crimes. Researchers checked back with nearly 15, of these children about two years later and again after they had reached adulthood, between the ages of 18 and Much like previous studies, they found that young adults who had watched more television during early adolescence were more likely to engage in antisocial behavior, to be arrested at least once and to be incarcerated as an adult.

The researchers then added one more factor to their analysis. The study included more than 3, sibling pairs that is, half-siblings, full siblings, and identical and nonidentical twins. The correlation between nearly all the negative behavior and time spent watching TV vanished after the researchers statistically accounted for relatedness. Genetics, they concluded, shapes brain and behavior, which in turn has wide-ranging consequences, including how many hours of TV individual children tend to watch and how their brains respond to it.

Research suggests that heredity accounts for approximately half of the risk of developing antisocial behavior, with the remaining risk explained by environmental influences.

In particular, genes that influence neural signaling involving dopamine and serotonin are associated with increased criminality, antisocial behavior and psychological disorders.

It would appear that researchers have been weighing the evidence out of balance by neglecting the important factor of heredity in TV habits. But this chicken-or-egg dilemma resolves as it does with real chickens: this is an interdependent cycle.

For instance, a study comparing adopted and nonadopted children raised in the same home found that genetics was the most important factor in determining how many hours of TV kids watched. DeSilva, there are a handful of different forms of character involvement that contribute to the bond we form with the characters, which ultimately make us more likely to binge watch a show in its entirety.

The show is so popular because of its multiple avenues for identification. Also, the identification with power, prestige and success makes it pleasurable to keep watching.

If you've ever found yourself thinking that you and your favorite character would totally be friends in real life, you've likely experienced this type of involvement. Another type of character involvement is "perceived similarity, where we enjoy the experience of 'I know what that feels like,' because it's affirming and familiar, and may also allow the viewer increased self-esteem when seeing qualities valued in another story.

The act of binge watching offers us a temporary escape from our day-to-day grind, which can act as a helpful stress management tool , says Dr. John Mayer, Ph. D, a clinical psychologist at Doctor On Demand.

Mayer says. A binge can work like a steel door that blocks our brains from thinking about those constant stressors that force themselves into our thoughts. Binge watching can set up a great boundary where troubles are kept at bay. Binge watching can also help foster relationships with others who have been watching the same show as you.

Ariane Machin , Ph. D, clinical psychologist and professor of psychology. Binge watching can make us feel a part of a community with those that have also watched it, where we can connect over an in-depth discussion of a show. Watching a show that features a character or scenario that ties into your day-to-day routine can also end up having a positive impact on your real life.

Although most characters and scenes are exaggerated for dramatic effect, it can be a good teaching lesson and case study. For example, if a shy person wants to become more assertive , remembering how a strong character on the show behaves can give the shy person a vivid example of how to advocate for herself or try something new. Or, if experiencing a personal crisis, remembering how a favorite character or TV role model solved a problem can give the binge watcher new, creative or bolder solutions.

Have you ever felt sad after finishing a series? Mayer says that when we finish binge watching a series, we actually mourn the loss. Our brain stimulation is lowered depressed such as in other forms of depression. In a study done by the University of Toledo , out of participants identified themselves as binge-watchers.

Gray matter is involved in decision-making, hearing and vision, and muscle control. The American Heart Association states on its website that science has linked being inactive and sitting too much with higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancers, and early death.

The most important thing to take away from the research, says Snyder, is to consider what else you can do besides watching television. In other words, activities that support your holistic health today may be the key to protecting your brain health in later years.

When it comes to modifying your lifestyle, it is ultimately your choice how to proceed to get the best results. You know what you will stick with and what you will not. However, personal context is important, too. These can be moderate aerobic activities suggested by the AHA , including:.

They may also include more vigorous and intense activities suggested by the AHA such as:. You may also choose to do more sedentary activities that stimulate brain functioning, including things such as knitting, completing crosswords, or playing an instrument.