Dharmapunx NYC Doomscrolling: The persistent draw toward negative news, why its so alluring and how to disconnect
Jul 26, 2024
The allure of negative news is explored through evolutionary and cultural lenses. Apocalyptic narratives from various religions highlight humanity's long-standing fascination with doom. The mental health impacts of doomscrolling, such as increased anxiety and loneliness, are discussed. Buddhist insights offer strategies to break free from this cycle, emphasizing mindfulness and awareness of the body. Josh shares practical tips for reducing news consumption and suggests channeling anxious energy into productive activities.
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Apocalypse Narratives Hook The Brain
- Humans are wired to prefer apocalyptic, sequential narratives because our brains seek climactic stories with beginnings, middles, and ends.
- Josh Korda links this tendency to religious and cultural end-of-world motifs that make negative news feel compelling.
Evolution Makes Bad News Addictive
- Hypervigilance evolved as a survival advantage, favoring those who stayed alert to threats in uncertain environments.
- Josh Korda argues this ancestral wiring becomes maladaptive today, making constant news exposure unhealthy.
Dopamine Then Cortisol Cycle
- Doomscrolling triggers brief dopamine hits followed by neurotransmitter depletion and a cortisol-driven stress cycle.
- This neurochemical switch explains why doomscrolling feels rewarding yet produces anxiety and fatigue.
