social media

Social media dramatically impacts our offline lives and mental well-being; examine its benefits, risks and controversies through scientific studies, real-life anecdotes and more.

Focus Isn't About Trying Harder: It's About Friction
In the age of constant notifications, open tabs, background noise, and infinite scrolling, we've come to believe that focus is a matter of willpower. If we just tried a little harder, eliminated laziness, and summoned more discipline, we could finally sit down and get things done. But what if this assumption is wrong?
By Nikesh Lagun9 months ago in Psyche
Dopamine vs. Serotonin: The Secret Dance That Runs Your Brain (And Life)
Let me tell you a story about Jake. Jake wakes up exhausted, grabs his phone immediately, and doom scrolls for 30 minutes. He knows he should work out, but "just can't find the motivation." By afternoon, he's binged on snacks while putting off important work. At night, he's wired but exhausted, mind racing about everything he didn't accomplish.
By shoaib khan9 months ago in Psyche
10 Signs of Toxic People — And How to Protect Your Peace
They might be charming. They might even call you their best friend, partner, or “ride or die.” But something feels off. You leave every interaction with them feeling tired, small, or strangely guilty — and you can’t explain why.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
Dopamine Nation – Living in a Culture That Rewards Overstimulation
Dopamine Nation – Living in a Culture That Rewards Overstimulation In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly chasing something—more likes, more notifications, more excitement. But have you ever wondered why it's so hard to put your phone down or why silence feels uncomfortable? The answer lies in one powerful chemical: dopamine.
By shoaib khan9 months ago in Psyche
Smiling Hurts Sometimes: The Hidden Pain Behind “I’m Fine”
“I’m fine.” Two words. So small, so easy to say — and so often a lie. A mask. A shield. A desperate way to keep the world from asking too many questions.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
When You Feel Nothing: The Quiet Struggle of Emotional Numbness
Some days, you're not sad. You're not angry. You're not happy either. You just *exist* — moving through time like a shadow of yourself. You smile when you should. You respond when spoken to. You say, “I’m fine,” and maybe you even believe it for a second. But deep down, there’s… nothing.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
The Unseen Weight: Listening to a Generation in Pain
You feel it in schools: the empty chair in math class where a bright kid just... stopped coming. You hear it in the tired voice of a teacher saying,
By Mahdi H. Khan9 months ago in Psyche
How Perfectionism Destroys Our Potential
You Know the Old Saying... Practice Makes Perfect... Which has further been Amplified by Many... "Perfect" Practice Makes Perfect.
By Dr. Cody Dakota Wooten, DFM, DHM, DAS (hc)9 months ago in Psyche
The Lie That You Should Have It All Figured Out by 25
There was a moment — on my 24th birthday — where I looked around and thought: *“Wait… shouldn’t I have figured it all out by now?”*
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
I Felt Deeply Lonely — Even With 3,000 Followers and Constant Messages
There was a time when my phone never stopped buzzing. DMs. Likes. Tags. People commenting on my posts. People replying to my stories.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
Why “I’m Fine” Is the Most Dangerous Lie We Tell Ourselves
“I’m fine.” We say it without thinking. Sometimes it’s automatic. Sometimes it’s a reflex. Sometimes it’s a desperate attempt to keep everything from spilling out. But rarely, if ever, is it true.
By Noman Khan 9 months ago in Psyche
🧠 What Overthinking Feels Like — And How I Finally Silenced It
You ever had a moment where your brain just *won’t shut up*? That’s not “just overthinking.” That’s torture. And I lived in that loop for years.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche