Do you get dopamine from TikTok?
The constant stream of TikToks covers all the bases on what's worth our attention span: they're short, they're engaging, there's a constant flow of them, and they're the content we enjoy watching which causes our brains to release dopamine, encouraging us to watch more videos.
Today, many media reports are circulating the idea that TikTok is causing negative long-term effects on the brain, especially in younger users, whose minds won't reach full development until age 25. Most articles, including John Koetsier's Forbes piece, state that TikTok is lowering users' attention spans.
Like other social media platforms, the infinite scroll and variable reward pattern of TikTok likely increase the addictive quality of the app as they may induce a flow-like state for users that is characterized by a high degree of focus and productivity at the task at hand,15 whether that be a game, one's social media ...
“All of that stuff exacerbates our stress.” In addition, Barnhart said young users are often exposed to TikTok videos that fuel body dissatisfaction, appearance-related anxiety, exercise addiction and more. These videos can distort our self-image.
Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain's reward system. Sex, shopping, smelling cookies baking in the oven — all these things can trigger dopamine release, or a "dopamine rush." This feel-good neurotransmitter is also involved in reinforcement.
Likening the experience of using TikTok to a slot machine at a casino, the expert notes that as you scroll your eyes will catch some things it likes and some things it doesn't, which feeds your desire to keep going. "In psychological terms [it's] called random reinforcement," Albright adds.
U.S. lawmakers and federal regulators have criticized TikTok, citing practices and computer-driven promotion of content they say can endanger the physical and mental health of young users. The platform has an estimated 1 billion monthly users and is especially popular with teens and younger children.
The Technical University of Denmark found that getting too much information in a short time (which is the case in TikTok) narrows our attention span. Those who use TikTok for over 90 minutes can significantly limit their ability to focus and pay attention over time (via The Science Times).
Why TikTok Is Harmful. Since TikTok exploded so quickly, research is still being done on the effects it has on society and mental health. However, there are some things we do know about TikTok: it's addictive, it can negatively impact mental health, it sets unrealistic standards, and it's a hot spot for cyberbullying.
- TikTok. TikTok has quickly taken the throne for the most famous social media platform. ...
- Facebook. This is possibly one that we're all too familiar with. ...
- WhatsApp. Social media giant Facebook purchased WhatsApp recently. ...
- Instagram. ...
- Youtube.
How do I quit TikTok?
Go out to meet your friends more often and do things together. Go to gym to do body building and sports or take a Yoga Course. Spend more time with your family in your spare time. Try to leave your phone and TikTok app for a certain time each day.
Teens who are “addicted” to TikTok experience worse depression and anxiety, and in turn, reduced working memory capacity. A study among teenage TikTok users found that those who showed addictive tendencies toward the platform performed worse when recalling number sequences.

- Enhance brand identity. In 2021 TikTok had close to 78.7 million users in the United States. ...
- Increase brand awareness. Similarly, TikTok offers opportunities for increased brand awareness. ...
- Partner with influencers. ...
- Take advantage of user-generated content. ...
- Reach your target market faster.
Research shows that more frequent use of TikTok and other social media can lead to negative effects. The cyberbullying, social exclusion and drama that can occur on these networks have been associated with higher rates of mental health issues in adolescents. It's not enough information for a self-diagnosis.
TikTok provides easy joy
Dr. Thomas says TikTok says being able to feel more at peace helps to decrease stress, anxiety and depression, and can also put matters into perspective.
- Avoid overindulging in alcohol or recreational drug use. ...
- Maintaining a healthy diet can increase dopamine levels. ...
- Avoid junk food. ...
- Exercise regularly to increase dopamine. ...
- Spend time outside. ...
- Practice healthy sleep habits. ...
- Engage in healthy, pleasurable activities. ...
- Meditate or practice yoga.
Dopamine depletion can happen to anyone and can be linked to numerous health and neurological health conditions like depression or PTSD, according to GoodTherapy. Similarly, drugs and alcohol temporarily flood the brain with dopamine.
Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you a sense of pleasure. It also gives you the motivation to do something when you're feeling pleasure. Dopamine is part of your reward system.
User Interactions
The TikTok algorithm is very similar to the Instagram algorithm in that it places serious weight on how users interact on the platform. In other words, it looks at how you behave on the platform to understand what you might like. It considers key data signals like: Videos you like.
TikTok stands out from the other social media platforms that rule the lives of so many Gen Z-ers. The app has transformed from a light-hearted platform, created to simply share short video clips, into something so much bigger than its creators even anticipated. The app nurtures positivity, acceptance, and creativity.
What is TikTok nudge?
After watching a video, TikTok immediately plays the next video involuntarily. This nudges the user to continue watching one video after the next. The nudge theory was popularized by Nobel Prize-winning behavioural economist Richard Thaler. We are constantly being nudged every day without knowing.
Symptoms Of TikTok Brain
People are becoming increasingly distracted. It was also discovered that some people have difficulty deciding when to quit watching. It releases a rush of dopamine, reinforcing urges for something pleasurable, whether it's a delicious meal, a drug, or a hilarious TikTok video.
Watching videos for hours a day that only span around 20 seconds will have a long-term impact on the attention spans of worldwide TikTok consumers. “You'll just be in this pleasurable dopamine state, carried away,” said Dr. Julie Albright in an interview with Forbes magazine.
TikTok and other fast-paced video apps have drastically reduced the attention span of the youth and young children, as the platforms provide short, 15 second, videos, warns an expert from Oxford University.
- TikTok. TikTok has quickly taken the throne for the most famous social media platform. ...
- Facebook. This is possibly one that we're all too familiar with. ...
- WhatsApp. Social media giant Facebook purchased WhatsApp recently. ...
- Instagram. ...
- Youtube.
The Technical University of Denmark found that getting too much information in a short time (which is the case in TikTok) narrows our attention span. Those who use TikTok for over 90 minutes can significantly limit their ability to focus and pay attention over time (via The Science Times).
Teens who are “addicted” to TikTok experience worse depression and anxiety, and in turn, reduced working memory capacity. A study among teenage TikTok users found that those who showed addictive tendencies toward the platform performed worse when recalling number sequences.
Some experts believe that TikTok's algorithm can promote content related to depression, anxiety and eating disorders, according to CBS News. In 2021, The Wall Street Journal conducted its own investigation into the app.
So, the experts say - watching TikTok can have a positive impact on your mental health, so to boost your mood and mental health, get involved and watch some satisfying TikTok content today!
The meteoric rise of TikTok
Some experts things young people are grappling with “TikTok brain,” a shortened attention span caused by watching short-form video content.
How do I quit TikTok?
Go out to meet your friends more often and do things together. Go to gym to do body building and sports or take a Yoga Course. Spend more time with your family in your spare time. Try to leave your phone and TikTok app for a certain time each day.
12 years old: 24 to 36 minutes. 14 years old: 28 to 42 minutes. 16 years old: 32 to 48 minutes.
The news aggregator eventually became ByteDance — now valued at around $360 billion, according to PitchBook — and owns TikTok; its Chinese sister app, Douyin; and various education and enterprise software ventures.
What is the 'Blackout Challenge'? Also referred to as the “choking challenge” or the “pass-out challenge,” the “blackout challenge” encourages users to hold their breath until they pass out due to a lack of oxygen.
How many hours of social media is addiction? This is a tricky question. However, research shows that people that spend over 5 hours a day are considered “addicted”. Some teenagers spend up to 9 hours on social media every single day!
- WhatsApp.
- Facebook.
- Messenger.
- Instagram.
- Snapchat.
- Gmail.
- Youtube.
- TikTok.
The percentage of people feeling 'somewhat' addicted to social media is highest at 40% among those aged 18-22 and 37% among people between 23 and 38. Then, 9% of people between the ages of 39 and 54 feel they are addicted.