A growing number of people are ditching their smartphones for ‘dumbphones’ that only call and text to avoid being in ‘zombie mode.’
The simple devices have skyrocketed in popularity, as 2.8 million were sold in the US last year with people proclaiming they feel calmer and more present in their ordinary lives.
A California woman told DailyMail.com that she made the switch after realizing she spent the entire summer on her smartphone, saying she barely remembered the time – she even forgot where she walked her dog.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists examined different areas of the brain and diverse types of brain function both at rest and while performing tasks. Some parts of the brain showed increased activity, and some parts showed decreased activity. The most significant changes occurred in the connectivity in the part of the brain critical for active thinking and decision-making.
Alterations in brain function show up as addictive behaviors and deterioration in both thought and physical capabilities. The teens’ still immature brains suffered changes that adversely affected intellectual function, physical coordination, mental health, development, and overall well-being.
