Alarming Effect E-Mail Has on Your Brain

Alarming Effect E-Mail Has on Your Brain

We have no idea what you're supposed to do about this, but a British study by TNS Research commissioned by Hewlett Packard concludes that workers who are distracted by frequent phone calls, e-mails, and text messages actually suffer a greater loss of IQ than someone who smokes marijuana, report The Guardian and UK's Press Association.

The problem isn't the e-mail itself. The problem is the constant interruptions in your work day that reduce productivity and leave you feeling tired, lethargic, and unable to focus.

In 80 clinical trials, the IQ of 1,100 British workers was monitored throughout the day by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at King's College in London. What he found is that when people tried to juggle e-mail, phone calls, and text messages along with their work, their IQs dropped by a full 10 points. That's the equivalent of missing an entire night's sleep and more than the four-point decline seen after someone smokes pot.

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Holly crap!!!! 10 POINTS!

Now I know what my problem is....

[edit on 15-3-2006 by loam]

Very interesting article..........though I think that the fragmentation of the consciousness really justs creates a harried mind. The logic part of the mind isn't necassarily effected as it is the desire of the mind to tolerate logic thought.

E-mails and text messages are so wildly popular because they are social interactions......which in turn stimulate the social associations in the brain; constant seeking of social approval and the release of corrolating hormones (pleasurable or not) in response to the reception, or lack thereof, of the social cue.

The brain is just switching modes, is all I'm trying to say....

Loam,

This is the second article which I have read today and it was posted by you. I must confess I am highly impressed by the articles which you produce in the forms.

Thankyou for sharing the information.