The Digital and the Brain

I’ve been wondering, since there are few impacting events that have catalyzed this pondering – is my work on digital devices shifting my brain chemistry and affecting my short term memory or long term memory? I know there studies that investigate the brain’s ability to multitask. I know that there is research looking at the impact of screen time on the developing brains of young children. I am aware that there is research happening into the ability to use digital tasks to promote memory and cognition in aging brains, particularly those with Alzheimers. But after a visit to my optometrist, who is conducting research into the impact of blue light, and use of digital devices on the eye’s ability refocus, the impact of blue light on the function of the eye, and the impact that being ‘bathed in blue light’ has on the brain.

The first result of a preliminary search was the adjustment of my computer monitor and secondary monitor from blue light to night shift mode, which reduces the blue light being absorbed by the eye by 30% (according to my optometrist). The second was reading the article listed below since it is a recently published article that can shape my thinking about this topic.

Title:	Are Digital Devices Altering Our Brains?
Author:	Elena Pasquinelli
Publication:	Scientific American
Publisher:	Scientific American, a division of Nature America, Inc.
Date:	Sep 11, 2018
Copyright © 2018, Scientific American, Inc.

Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-digital-devices-altering-our-brains/