Brain Rot Is Holding You Back

In this video, we're delving into the concept of 'brain rot' and its impact on our mental faculties. Brain rot occurs when prolonged exposure to unsuitable or unproductive content leads to cognitive stagnation and a decline in mental agility.

Join us as we unpack the consequences of engaging with content that might not serve our mental well-being over the long term. We'll explore how years or even decades of this exposure can contribute to a 'rusty' mind.

▼ Timestamps ▼
────────────
00:08 - What is Brain Fog?
01:49 - What is Brain Rot?
03:23 - Infection, Colonization, and Adaptation
06:05 - Example of Infection
08:07 - Filtering your perceptions
12:30 - Example of Colonization
15:16 - How colonization affects you
17:23 - Example of Adaptation
20:09 - Who you are is determined by your actions
22:00 - People with brain rot do not have control over their life
23:23 - How to regain control
25:17 - A summary of brain rot
26:39 - Fixing brain rot
27:38 - Dealing with ego
────────────

DISCLAIMER

Healthy Gamer is an online community and resource platform for gamers and their families. It does not provide medical services or professional counseling, and it is not a substitute for professional medical care. Our coaches are peer supporters, not professionally trained experts, and they cannot provide medical service. If you or a loved one are experiencing an emergency, please call your nation's emergency telephone number.

All guests of Healthy Gamer are informed of the public, non-medical nature of the content and have expressly agreed to share their story.

#healthygamergg #brainrot #mindset

[RussellCapital]

"The mind doesn't wear out with use, it actually rusts with disuse." Extremely powerful statement.

[kyledahlquist]

I've been depressed for so long, and I can literally feel myself losing intelligence and sharpness over time. It's the slowest car crash of all time, and it's terrifying.

[OmanAMNOTGOODWITHCOMPUTER]

Here's my long takeaway:

- People who have brainrot don't filter what comes into their minds. Brainrot is cognitive rusting caused by not using it.
- The concept of loss/rejection is common, but people with brainrot will create conclusions and allow their mind to be 'colonized' by negative thoughts caused by said common problems. People with brainrot live their life reactively - what other people do determines your motivation. They will always be reacting and responding on a loop and never pick a direction to go towards to.
- Think: what is the factual truth of the situation before me?
- What did the person say/what happened, and what is my interpretation of it?
- Stretch those two things apart
- We are sensory-bombarded by information and thoughts that make it hard to concentrate on other tasks, thoughts will multiply and colonize your brain (modern technology is good at this)
- If you don't filter perceptions and you're colonized, your mind adapts by forming ego eg. I can't do something because I'm lazy = your mind makes a negative conclusion, tanks your motivation.

- Solution: Any time your mind says "I am ..." do your best to absolutely ignore it. Recognize that conclusions about yourself are based on unfiltered perceptions. Set it aside and try to think: "Alright, I will give it a shot anyways".
- Any time you notice yourself making a comparative statement ask yourself: What is the effect of this comparison? The answer is: The comparison exists to discourage you from acting.
- Eliminate the ego: Ask yourself, who are you? Discouraging thoughts = you let the identity of yourself determine what you actually do. But the truth is = what you do, determines who you are.
- Domino effect: You're afraid of doing something yet you do it anyways which gives you a good feeling. From there, your motivation goes up and you're willing to try more things.
- Ask yourself what kind of sensory inputs create and destroy motivation (limit technology, go for a walk, colonize your mind with positive influences).

[MasterOogway]

I’m a scientist (objectively less qualified educationally, but the most experienced amongst my peers at work) and I relate so much to the crumbling when receiving constructive criticism or any feedback that wasn’t positive. Once you can overcome the jerk reaction to negative feedback, life truly gets so much easier.

[t.b.cont.]

I work as a hospital security guard and this is exactly the sort of thing they train you on. The ability to sit still, be vigilant and not distracted. To be able to be unaffected by what others say to you and to keep yourself cool when you feel you may be getting emotional. I do not enjoy anything about this job but I can’t deny it’s given me valuable life skills as a young person that I would not have gotten otherwise this early into my life, which will be useful when I eventually find the opportunity to push my career elsewhere

[TJBlack.]

Bro's describing me, this is exactly what I needed bro. I've been distracted by too many things around me but this has helped me change my perspective and has given me an idea to function again and get shit done so thank you man for literally existing.

[HimboVegan]

I think of depression as almost a behavioral neurodegenerative disease. Something happens that makes you disengage from the world. Since you arent using and challenging your neurons any more, they degrade. That makes it harder to return to the behaviors that kept your brain healthy. So it degrades more. And you spiral down this endless cycle.

[phononanon]

I work as a Special Ed Paraeducator after growing up dealing with ADHD, OCD, Depression, and Anxiety diagnoses since childhood, and I resonated with what you said about filtering perception. The only reason I was able to get through my childhood and become a stable adult was because I learned to analyze my experiences as I experienced them, and practice controlling my reaction. I have skated on the edge of brain rot for years and seen many friends succumb, but it's great to see another way to interpret this idea.

I was taught metacognition as a kid, which is very similar to the yogic idea of separating experience and reaction. I've since learned that Buddhist philosophy also touches on this, and even Daoism. There's the classic Serenity Prayer popular in Christianity, and even stoicism touches on this idea.

It all boils down to the same thing: filter your experiences, filter your thoughts, notice your feelings, and practice intention in what you do about it, and what sort of information you allow into your mind.

Also: NEVER PRE-ORDER. Just buy the game when you know it's good. There is absolutely nothing that will harm you in waiting a couple days after release before you buy it.

[pschia]

This hit home. My mind used to be so colonised by video games to the point where I felt a mild withdrawal symptom. Half a day without games can make me feel very uneasy and antsy. Studying feels like hell because every 20 seconds in, my mind gets flooded with video games again.

This video perfectly explained what I felt during the phase where I am trying to quit my gaming addiction. I had to force myself to shift my mind away from gaming put my focus and attention to reading. As I train my mind to stay focused at a low-dopamine task, I slowly overcame my gaming addiction. The change is extremely fulfilling. I also became less reactive and sensitive to negative comments. I can tolerate and react more calmly during stressful and anxiety-triggering situations such as being put in the spotlight during a social event.

I'm 2 years into quitting my gaming addiction now, finishing my Master in Architecture, and the last time I played a video game was 4 months ago when I got burntout from studies.

[Taskorilla]

I have ADHD, BPD, and PTSD. You just described every day of my life.

If I could solve this... Lol. I'm 45 now... I don't even care. I need to make sure my kids don't fall down this hole. Thanks doc.

[reesec]

I think i got brain rot and it combined with undiagnosed ADHD to create a constant loop of unhelpful thoughts, my mind has felt trapped by its own adaptation for so long. I’m so glad i finally got diagnosed and started treatment and therapy.

[sirsquiggles]

Pro Tip: if you want Boomers to leave you alone about mental health issues, just say it's "brain fog." Whenever I try to explain what I'm feeling or going through, I get the usual responses ("you just need to get over it, " "that's no excuse for X, " etc.) But if you say it's Brain Fog™, they usually go "oh, it do be like that sometimes"

[bakedbeans]

the fact that i came to this realization in my life recently after spending more time focusing on developing my skills and now this video comes out, im so grateful that others can get the help we all wish we could have even when we dont realize it.
i'm 27 and i spent over half of my life doing drugs and ignoring the world, trying to avoid the pain that when i finally came to and looked around me i was unable to pick myself up and recover properly.
i still have a hard time thinking straight, i still cant focus well, i find myself crying because i wish i was ok. some days i focus on coding, gardening, art, and some days i know i can't get over the stump so that day ill take a break that has helped my brain so much.
i hope you all know you are more than capable, you are more than worthy, its going to hurt, its going to be hard, but the results are always worth it.

[speidurr]

This video reminds me of something I learned from my dad!

A few years ago, me and him were playing chess. We've played a game against each other every now and then for years, and I have never once won a game against him. This particular time, I was playing extremely defensively to the point where every move I made was in reaction to whatever he did. I didn't make any moves to set up any big, elaborate attacks, just watching what he did and moving to shut him off. This continued for a while until I realized that I had nowhere else to go and had made zero progress toward taking out his king; any move would be a net loss for me. So, I asked him how he did it, and what he told me just stuck.

Don't just react; respond.

[leviosaaa]

My brain is so rot I can barely watch this video without loosing focus, Interest, and forgot

[Assh]

Almost finished reading "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins and this video couldn't have come at a better time!
I've had emotional trouble, trust issues and started jumping straight to conclusions, putting myself down and trying to live life in absolutes after my last relationship fell apart.
Went from an overachiever to a dark period of underachieving for almost three years.
Been getting better over the last couple of years though - picked up physical fitness, something I always ran away from as a nerdy overweight boy, got disciplined and stopped deluding myself and lazing in the name of "talent" and I thought that would be the hardest to do but boy was I suprised on how much I lacked on the mental front and HG has been an amazing resource to learn from! I've been able to learn a lot about mental barriers, procrastination and all. Thanks a million, Dr. K! 💙🗿Gotta work on the "ahankara" now. 😌

[sourceeee]

Weirdly enough playing an instrument helps a lot with this. I find the more your brain and body get accustomed to a lot of the complex interactions and new connections playing music gives, it makes general life tasks a lot easier. At high levels it almost becomes a sport and for me it’s more addicting than gaming.

[MudroZvon]

Here is a summary of the key points and main ideas from this video:

The text discusses the concept of "brain rot", which refers to a decline in cognitive functioning characterized by lethargy, lack of focus and motivation, and difficulty finding direction. This is attributed to people not using their minds productively over long periods of time, or being exposed to negative influences that impair mental function.

Three main factors contribute to brain rot:

1. Breakdown of barriers to filter perceptions: People with brain rot do not filter what information and experiences come into their mind. They let negativity, rejections, and criticism directly shape their thoughts and truth, without pausing to consider the facts or their own interpretations. This is the opposite of yogis, who can control their reactions to external inputs.

2. Thought colonization: The sensory inputs people receive determine the thoughts that occupy their mind. People with brain rot allow their minds to be overrun with distracting thoughts unrelated to their goals and motivations. Their minds jump to video games, social media, etc rather than being focused. In contrast, yogis live in isolation to prevent colonization of their mind.

3. Maladaptive ego responses: People develop conclusions about themselves based on unfiltered perceptions, such as "I am a loser" after a rejection. This shapes their identity in harmful ways. Comparisons to others also discourage people from acting. Yogis eliminate ego and comparisons to overclock their brains.

Together, these factors create a reactive, directionless mindset. People's motivation relies entirely on external factors, and any impulses get dismissed by negative self-talk. Their ego and comparisons prevent them from moving towards goals.

Solutions involve:

- Filtering perceptions by separating factual events from interpretations. Ask, "What objectively happened versus how am I reacting?"

- Managing thought colonization by limiting time on social media, gaming, etc. Replace with motivated communities. Go on tech-free retreats.

- Eliminating ego statements like "I can't do X." Ignore negative self-talk, and act despite it. Avoid comparisons to others that discourage you.

- Living proactively, picking goals and moving toward them steadily. Don't rely on external pressures for motivation.

Additional key points:

- Brain rot is compared to a real physical infection - bacteria invade, colonize, and prompt harmful bodily adaptations. This process occurs in the mind as well.

- People with brain rot struggle with basic cognitive functions like focus, direction, and executing on goals. It is not the same as medical conditions like depression.

- Practices like filtering perceptions are learned skills. For example, doctors in training learn not to react to patient criticisms, understanding it reflects the patient's state.

- People preach limiting tech use, but you can start small like no gaming during meals or while cleaning. Any progress to restrict colonization helps.

- The ego and identity create an illusion we cannot act in certain ways e.g. "I'm afraid of heights so I cannot climb mountains." But overcoming deficits shapes who we become.

- Living reactively cedes control of your motivation and life to external factors. The solution is to be proactive.

In summary, "brain rot" refers to declining cognitive abilities resulting from lack of perception filtering, uncontrolled thought colonization, and maladaptive ego responses. It can be improved through yogic and mindfulness practices that increase control over your mindset, thought patterns, ego, and sources of motivation.

[madkate]

Okay that analogy with bacteria really spooked me because I didn’t understand

[phantanhuy]

I have to wholeheartedly thank you for this video. Fresh into university at 19y/o and I've been going through exactly what you've established here, it has been absolutely miserable and I have never felt so pessimistic throughout my life. Now that summer break is here for me, I have some time to reorganize myself and get back on track.

Seriously, I can not thank you enough, and I hope that all of you here suffering from this can also go through it.