Electronic Crack

We’ve all heard comments that smartphones, which moving forward we will refer to as rectangles, being “electronic crack”. Well the scientific data is coming in, and it turns out that the electronic crack remark is spot on. Here’s why:

You know how good and self-satisfied you feel after completing a task like cleaning your house or organizing your desk? That is because our brains have a built in reward mechanism that gives us a shot of dopamine (as in “why do you think they call it dopamine?”) when we accomplish something. Kind of like getting a treat for being a good girl or boy.

Well, it turns out this reward mechanism is actually quite stupid. It gives out that shot of dopamine whenever YOU feel like you accomplished a task. This applies not only big things like discovering a new nonpolluting energy source, but really little dumb ass little things like deleting spam or forwarding a Facebook post about a cat that can dance on its hind legs (as one example).

Yes, it’s true. Making simple, silly little decisions like deleting, forwarding or otherwise dealing with words on your rectangle, because they involve making ANY type of decision can and most likely will trigger the dopamine reward mechanism.

So there it is. Playing with your rectangle is the brain equivalent of smoking crack cocaine. This is literally true, since cocaine works by blocking one of the dopamine feedback receptors, allowing your own brain dopamine levels to quickly build up beyond normal parameters. It doesn’t matter if your delivery system is a glass crack pipe or a 6” plastic rectangle. The results are exactly the same, though the dosage is smaller.

For Reactive Bodies the stakes are even higher. Many reactives tell me they don’t “like” smartphones, citing vague concerns about microwave radiation or the way their bodies feel after being around them. I feel the same way about digital devices myself, and limit my rectangle use throughout the day below obsessional levels.

But the thing that concerns me the most is the ADHD state that so many reactives fall into triggered by excessive rectangle use. I have friends who get themselves so manic-ed up I can no longer hold a conversation with them and have to walk away until tomorrow.

Tip: Keep ALL digital screened devices away from children and reactive bodies before 11am. The ADHD reaction appears to be cumulative, ie the more the rectangle is in use the faster and more intense the ADHD symptoms appear in susceptible individuals.

Early morning screen time can also have a zombifying effect on the rest of your child’s day, pulling down attention span, memory retention, test scores and effect how PRESENT the child is through their day. If you see any of these behaviors in your children try manipulating morning screen time experimentally.

Remember, most people do not really believe that their consciousness is effected by molecules or by the radiant energy they are surrounded with. It is easier for some of us to believe in astrological influences than it is to believe in molecules and electromagnetic energy!

Hard copies of The Reactive Body Handbook will be out soon. Stay tuned and Enjoy your Summer!

Larry Plesent