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Do you often hit the fast-forward button when binge-watching shows or catching up on online courses?

Recently, a trending topic shocked many who rely on faster playback: apparently, speed-watching videos may harm the brain.

Does speed-watching really harm your brain?

Many netizens admitted they rely on faster playback, often simply to save the time.

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What does science say?

ScienceChina noted that in an age of information overload, people — especially adolescents whose brains are still developing — should be cautions about accelerating content.

Studies indicate that accelerated playback could negatively impact attention span, memory retention, critical thinking, and even cognitive, emotional, and social development, particularly for adolescents, whose brains are still developing.

According to an article published by Zhongshan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, long-term reliance on faster playback speeds may train the brain to process information in a fragmented way. This can weaken deep thinking and sustained attention, leading to what experts call a "superficial cognitive pattern".

Over time, this pattern may contribute to memory decline, reduced comprehension, and even impaired emotional regulation.

So how do we watch videos in a healthier way?

Use faster playback selectively, for example, speed up light review materials or familiar topics, but slow down for complex lectures or content requiring reflection. Let the playback speed serve your comprehension, not control it.

Add "speed bumps" and "rest areas" for your brain — pauses between videos or segments — and schedule "rest areas" during long sessions. This helps prevent cognitive overload and improves information retention.

Practice focus-recovery exercise

To counterbalance the potential fragmentation caused by speed-watching, consciously engage in activities that require deep focus.

Read a book without skimming, meditate, or take notes while learning. Strengthening your capacity for slow, deliberatethinking can restore cognitive balance and enhance overall mental clarity.

Enjoy your viewing — and keep your mind sharp!

你平时刷剧、看网课会开倍速吗？

最近，很多习惯了“加速人生”的网友们，被一条热搜整破防了：据说，看倍速视频会伤害我们的大脑。

所以……开倍速到底会不会伤害我们的大脑呢？

不少网友坦言自己看剧离不开倍速模式，也有人表示自己就是为了节省时间。

科学怎么说？

科普中国曾发文提到，“加速”是一个需要警惕的行为：在信息爆炸的时代，我们很容易“困”在内容里，被铺天盖地的知识冲昏了头脑。但实际上对于我们，尤其是对于大脑还处于发育阶段的青少年来说，“加速”是一个需要警惕的行为，它很可能对注意力、记忆力或批判能力，以及认知、情感和社会发展能力都产生影响。

复旦大学附属中山医院也曾发文表示：长期依赖倍速模式可能导致大脑习惯于碎片化信息处理，削弱深度思考与持续注意力。

研究表明，持续高速接收信息会使大脑前额叶皮层（负责逻辑与决策）的活跃度降低，转而依赖快速反应的基底神经节，形成“浅层认知模式”。这种模式可能引发记忆力减退、理解力下降，甚至影响情绪调节能力。

那么，如何才能真正健康地观看视频呢？

1.明确内容属性，区别对待

将观看内容分类，有选择地使用倍速播放功能。让速度服务于内容吸收，而非被速度掌控。

对于需要深度理解和记忆的知识型内容，建议用原速或稍快速度（如1.25倍），确保理解透彻；对于纯娱乐或已了解的剧情，可使用较高倍速以节省时间。

2.为大脑设置“减速带”与“休息区”

避免长时间连续高速观看视频，设置“减速带”与“休息区”能有效防止认知超载，提升信息转化率。

可以采用“番茄工作法”，每观看25—30分钟，就暂停5分钟，让大脑从被动接收转为主动休息，比如远眺、喝水或简单活动。在观看复杂内容时，遇到关键点主动暂停或倒回，给自己留下思考消化的时间。

3.定期进行“专注力补偿训练”

为了平衡倍速观看视频可能带来的注意力碎片化，需要有意识地锻炼大脑的“慢思考”能力。

每天可以安排15—30分钟，进行无需倍速的深度活动，例如：耐心阅读纸质书籍、练习正念冥想、或者专注地聆听一首完整的古典音乐。这些活动能像给大脑做瑜伽一样，帮助恢复和维持持久的注意力。

祝大家观看愉快，头脑清醒～

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This cover is generated by AI

Source: Unipus, Science China, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China Daily Bilingual News

Edited by Wang Liwei

Reviewed by Chen Yiting，Shi Sijia，Liu Kenbo

发布于：上海市