14/03/2026
Everyone must know this emerging research linking high screen time, poor sleep, and increased dementia risk.
These studies are associational, not proof of direct cause‑and‑effect. They suggest a clear plausible pathway (more digital stimulation + less deep sleep → more brain ‘waste’ over time), but this is definitely not suggesting that screens alone cause Alzheimer’s. The practical takeaway is precautionary: protect your sleep, move your body, and reduce mindless, late‑night screen time to support long‑term brain health.
The level of screen stimulation we are experiencing right now is brand new for the human species so I am deeply studying all I can to ensure a brighter future for all with a brain that’s working well for years to come.
Research I love behind this post:
• Screen time & dementia risk – Yuan and colleagues (2023) followed 462,000+ adults and found that people watching 4+ hours of screens a day had a higher risk of dementia than those watching 1 hour or less.
• One bad night of sleep & amyloid – Shokri‑Kojori and team (2018) showed that a single night without sleep raised amyloid plaque levels in the brain by about 25–30% the next day.
• Glymphatic “brain‑cleaning” system – Xie and co‑workers (2013) showed that during deep sleep, the space between brain cells widens, letting fluid wash out waste proteins more effectively.
• Dopamine & oxidative stress – Work by researchers such as Burbulla and colleagues shows that when dopamine signalling is pushed too hard for too long, it can contribute to oxidative stress and make certain brain cells more vulnerable over time.
What do you think the long-term impact of our modern day digital environment is on our long-term health?