Excessive Digital Content Consumption and Cognitive Decline: Current Review of the 'Brain Rot' Phenomenon

Year 2026, Volume: 18 Issue: 2, 498 - 509

Fırat Ünsal , Zafer Korkmaz

https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1644556

Abstract

The term “brain rot” is relatively new, but its use rose exponentially after being promoted as the Oxford word of the Year in 2024. “Brain rot” was simply used by people to mean cognitive deficits. However, the phrase now evokes mental and emotional health issues that arise from modern lifestyles. The article demonstrates brain rot as a phenomenon caused by the merger of psychiatry, neurology, and clinical psychology. It attempts to dissect the multi-dimensional causes of brain rot, which include, but are not limited to, heredity, the surrounding environment, lifestyle changes, and the emotional and cognitive deficits themselves. It also looks at the existing methods of brain rot prevention, treatment, and diagnosis. This phenomenon explains how specific habits like increased screen time, stress, and other cognitive aggravating factors will eventually worsen the decline. With substantial evidence available, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and resiliency training seem to be much stronger candidates for preventing or treating brain rot. We have noted gaps in the literature, including the use of artificial intelligence for diagnosis through cross-disciplinary collaboration. The objective of the review is to increase comprehension of the term “brain rot” and multi-dimensionally prevention and treatment strategies through an individualized approach.

Keywords

Brain rot , cognitive decline , digital addiction , emotional dysregulation.

Aşırı Dijital İçerik Tüketimi ve Bilişsel Gerileme: 'Beyin Çürümesi' Olgusunun Güncel Bir İncelemesi

Abstract

“Beyin çürümesi” terimi, özellikle 2024 yılında Oxford tarafından yılın kelimesi seçilmesinin ardından büyük ilgi görmüş ve bilişsel gerilemeyi tanımlayan gündelik bir ifadeden, modern yaşam tarzlarının zihinsel ve duygusal sağlık üzerindeki kapsamlı etkilerini ifade eden bir kavrama dönüşmüştür. Bu derleme makalemizde, psikiyatri, nöroloji ve psikolojik danışmanlık perspektiflerini bir araya getirerek beyin çürümesinin varlığını tartışmakta ve bu olgunun genetik faktörler, çevresel etmenler, yaşam tarzı değişiklikleri ile bilişsel ve duygusal işlev kayıplarından nasıl etkilendiğini ele almaktadır. Ayrıca, beyin çürümesinin önlenmesi, teşhisi ve tedavisine yönelik mevcut yöntemler incelenerek, ekran süresinin artışı ve kronik stres gibi alışkanlıkların bilişsel gerilemeye nasıl katkıda bulunduğu açıklanmaktadır. Makale, bu sorunun yönetiminde daha etkili olabilecek kanıta dayalı yaklaşımlara odaklanarak farkındalık temelli müdahaleler, bilişsel-davranışçı terapi ve esneklik eğitimine vurgu yapmaktadır. Bunun yanı sıra, yapay zekâ destekli teşhis yöntemleri ve disiplinler arası iş birliğinin, beyin çürümesine yönelik daha bütüncül çözümler sunmada nasıl bir rol oynayabileceği tartışılmaktadır. Genel olarak bu çalışma, beyin çürümesi kavramını daha iyi anlamayı ve birey merkezli, çok boyutlu yaklaşımlar geliştirerek etkili önleme ve müdahale stratejileri sunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

Beyin çürümesi , bilişsel gerileme , dijital bağımlılık , duygusal düzensizlik

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