If You Want to Turn Back Your Brain Age by 10 Years, Turn Off This Mobile Phone 'Feature'

Blocking Internet Access for Two Weeks
Improves Brain Function in Canadian Study of 400 Adults

A study has found that turning off the internet function on a mobile phone for two weeks can reverse brain age to that of 10 years ago.

According to a report by the British Daily Mail on the 1st (local time), a research team from the University of British Columbia in Canada conducted an experiment with 400 adults who downloaded and used an application that blocked smartphone internet access for two weeks. The average age of the participants was 32, with 63% female and 37% male.

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Participants measured brain function and mental well-being through surveys before and after the study. As a result, after two weeks, their sustained attention, the ability to focus on one subject, significantly improved. Their concentration was equivalent to that of people 10 years younger than their actual age. Additionally, 90% of the participants reported improved mental health, which was a much better effect than the expected outcome from taking antidepressants for two weeks. Furthermore, participants also reported improvements in personal well-being and life satisfaction.

The research team suggested that these changes are likely due to changes in how people spend their time. Instead of spending time on the internet, participants spent more time meeting and interacting with others in person, exercising, and being in nature. The researchers also found that during the study period, participants’ screen time on their phones was reduced by almost half. In one group, the average daily phone viewing time dropped significantly from 5 hours 14 minutes to 2 hours 41 minutes.

Regarding the study results, the University of British Columbia research team explained, "Despite the many benefits provided by mobile internet, reducing constant connection to the digital world can bring quite positive effects." They added, "Our study provides evidence that blocking mobile internet on phones for two weeks can significantly improve mental health and the ability to maintain attention."