Summary of CÓMO FUNCIONA NUESTRO CEREBRO EN EL MUNDO DIGITAL

00:00:00 - 00:20:00

The video discusses how screens and the digital world affect our brains and mental health. The speaker notes the addictive nature of screens and the importance of understanding this addiction to harness the power of screens to improve mental health. The video also delves into the effect of screens on the prefrontal cortex, particularly in children whose brains are still developing, and emphasizes the need to postpone screen use in children. The concept of "digital overload" is also discussed, with suggestions to improve this including turning off notifications and focusing on human connections. The importance of the hormone oxytocin, particularly during the current climate of high levels of cortisol, is also highlighted, with advice given on how to cultivate it to improve relationships and counteract the negative effects of cortisol.

• 00:00:00 In this section, the speaker, a psychiatrist, discusses the role of cortisol, a stress hormone, in our lives and the negative effects that its overproduction can have on both our bodies and our minds. However, the speaker also notes that screens, such as those found on social media and video games, can have a positive effect on our dopamine levels, a hormone associated with pleasure. The speaker cautions that dopamine can also be addictive, leading to problems with alcohol, drugs, and other potentially harmful behaviors. Overall, the speaker aims to provide tips and advice for how to harness the power of screens to improve our mental health and well-being.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how our brains function in the digital world and how screens were designed to be addictive as they trigger dopamine, the same circuits as cocaine addiction. She highlights the importance of understanding this and the need to activate our brains to face this addiction. The economy of the attention has transformed the world economy, as companies such as Facebook, Google, and Silicon Valley have learned to capture our attention and make us emotional junkies addicted to vibrant experiences. However, patience, reward, and time are fundamental for true happiness, and the only things that fill a human's heart are love and a good job. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for willpower, attention, concentration, problem resolution, and control of impulses, making it the center for superior behavior in humans. Maturity of the cortex prefrontal only occurs after 15-25 years of age, and using light, sound, and movement, the cortex prefrontal can stimulate babies into concentration. Tablets and iPads are therefore useful, but too much exposure can result in distraction, making it essential to control kids' screen time.
• 00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses how the use of screens can affect the prefrontal cortex of the brain, particularly in children whose brains are still developing. She explains that the more we rely on external tools like Google Maps, the more our internal tools, such as the prefrontal cortex, atrophy. She also mentions that the corteza prefrontal of young people is not maturing correctly, which can lead to problems like ADHD. The speaker emphasizes the need to postpone screen use in children to give them a chance to develop their internal tools and to manage stress and emotions without relying on screens. She warns that if we do not learn to manage stress and emotions without screens, we may struggle in the 21st century, and children may experience problems with tolerance and frustration.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the video discusses the concept of "digital overload" and the need for ethical considerations in technology companies. With the abundance of information available, our brains are becoming hyper-stimulated and we are not equipped to manage it effectively. Suggestions for improving this include turning off notifications to reduce small activations of the prefrontal cortex and postponing rewards to build up willpower. It is also important to focus our attention on the real world and human connections, especially during the current pandemic. The speaker also shares a personal story about how she discovered the calming effects of the hormone oxytocin during a panic attack caused by high levels of cortisol.
• 00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of the hormone oxytocin, which is known as the "hormone of empathy" and "hormone of hugs." Due to the current social climate of uncertainty, fear, and adaptation caused by the digital age, people are experiencing high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. However, oxytocin can be released through actions such as hugging for at least eight seconds, listening to someone without distraction, and dedicating time to others. The speaker encourages people to cultivate oxytocin and become "human vitamins" in order to improve relationships and counteract the negative effects of cortisol.