The Internet Is Good for Your Brain

Does our interaction with the internet change brain function? That is the subject of this report which notes a new study examining the issue:

The MRI results showed that both text reading and Internet searching stimulated the regions of the brain controlling language, reading, memory and vision. But the Internet search lit up more areas of the brain, additionally activating the regions controlling complex reasoning and decision making. The increased brain activity, which is probably due to the many rapid choices such searches involve, suggests that subjects had a richer sensory experience and heightened attention [...] "Our findings point to an association between routine Internet searching and neural circuitry activation in middle-aged and older adults," the study said. "Further study will elucidate both the potential positive and negative influences of these technologies on the aging brain."

The popularity of brain exercises (some technological, some not) suggests that people understand that engaging in mentally intense activities stimulates neuron growth. The idea that merely searching the web may also stimulate brain function is something I would not have expected, but searching for something (on the web on IRL) takes energy and concentration, so perhaps it's not so surprising. We are told by the health gurus that you should read, do crosswords and have frequent social interaction with others to keep your mind sharp and alert. To that we can now add, search the web. In reply to those who say the internet is dumbing us down, we can point to this study and suggest that a high tech future may be one in which we all enjoy healthier brains.