What Is Doomscrolling, Really?

Doomscrolling is the act of endlessly scrolling through bad news, tragic updates, more info or online drama; especially late at night. In small doses, it may seem harmless. But over time, how doomscrolling affects your mental health is more serious than you think.

???? It looks like:

Reading distressing headlines before bed

Jumping from one crisis post to another

Feeling drained but unable to stop scrolling

???? It floods your brain with cortisol (stress hormone)

???? It increases anxiety, especially around world events

????️ It causes emotional fatigue and information overload

Your brain begins to expect bad news and becomes stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance.

???? Say Goodbye to Quality Sleep

Most doomscrolling happens late at night – when your brain is supposed to unwind. But instead of winding down, it ramps up!

???? Using screens in bed

???? Engaging with triggering content

???? Overthinking the state of the world

This is how doomscrolling affects your mental health: it destroys your ability to rest and restore.

???? Emotional Numbing & Detachment

Strangely, the more you doomscroll, the less shocked you feel.

This “numbness” is your brain’s defense mechanism. You begin to feel emotionally distant or disconnected from events that would normally move you. This is another subtle yet dangerous way how doomscrolling affects your mental health.