Do we have become fools social networks?

How your brain reacts to the use of social networks (good and bad)

About ten years ago that social networks came into our lives and experts in neurology, at this time and have been able to modify our brain.

But how? For better or worse? According to the conclusions of the meeting 'Networks III', organized by the biomedical company Pfizer, the use of social networking has many positive effects on the brain; from the development of new brain connections to the creation of new learning methods.

In fact, the brain seems to be able to create new neural networks while browsing Facebook, Twitter or Youtube among others. This means that the brain has enough flexibility to adapt to such new challenges.

However, that can cause addiction is a major disadvantage.

Experts say that social networks and new technologies can lead to addiction because of the brain 's processing of social networks takes place in the circuits associated with rewards and controlled use could be associated with some psychiatric disorders such as addictions.

"We have found that the n ative digital learning in a slightly different way to those who are not. On the one hand, are able to do several tasks at once with better results and, on the other are faster seeking information to answer specific questions , " explains Dr. Pedro Bermejo, neurologist and president of the Spanish Association of Neuroeconomics.

Be permanently connected reduces our intellectual capacity, decreasing concentration and reflection. (Photo: Getty Images)

On the negative side it is also known that " have greater difficulty discerning between sources of reliable information and which are not, giving more importance to information that capture their friends and acquaintances, and less to the official web pages and more reliable , " he adds.

From the medical point of view, it has been shown that social networks cause changes in neurotransmitters such as oxytocin, adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, testosterone and cortisol.

Higher levels of oxytocin are associated with more purchases and investment and greater influence of the family and the couple.

The adrenaline, which is released promptly in the use of social networks would be linked with aggression.

The dopamine is released when a 'like' is received. Thus the reward centers are activated and the feeling of happiness increases. For this reason through social networks you can come to perceive as more positive some products.
Increased serotonin could change social behavior towards a more introverted and priority of individual interests against the group.

Moreover, high levels of testosterone are associated with a reduced tendency to make new friends on Facebook and cortisol would impact on loyalty to friends.
Among the changes in brain capabilities, experts also point to the influence of social networks on issues such as loss of ability to focus and pay attention, as well as read and write long texts.

Regarding the social benefits of social networks there is consensus on the defining role of social networks in search of a partner or sex, their impact on education, job search or online purchase.

"The use of the Internet is able to activate many areas of the adult brain but has not yet evaluated how new technologies can help in the rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injury, such as stroke or head trauma. It is necessary to increase the scientific evidence on the therapeutic application of new technologies to patients with brain injuries , " says Dr. Bermejo

Although the advantages are many, irresponsible use of social networks can also endanger health.

The experts link some inflammatory diseases or hearing to overuse. Even they warned that mobile phone use down the street increases the outrages and it is estimated that over 90% of accidents in which pedestrians is responsible, are related to the use of smartphones.

In conclusion, Dr. Bermejo says "although it is very difficult to make predictions in this topic, it seems clear that our brain will adapt to have a lot of information available with which to work and it will become less necessary to store information. Therefore, it is expected that the areas of working memory to handle multiple data at once be expanded at the expense of those brain regions that used to memorize long term. "