Are Smart Devices Slowly Eroding Our Nervous System?
In today’s hyperconnected world, smart devices — smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds — have become extensions of ourselves. We rely on them for work, socializing, navigation, and even health monitoring. To a degree, it’s unavoidable the exposure to smart devices and screens.
As a result, our bodies are living in permanent alert. We’re drowning in notifications, rushing from task to task, sleeping too little, and forgetting what it feels like to be human. As a result, our nervous systems are in sympathetic overdrive, effecting our hormones, immunity, and mood.
Ironically, in 1980s there was a widespread projection among economists and futurists that automation and technological advances would drastically reduce the amount of work humans needed to do. Some even predicted a future with a significantly shorter workweek, as machines would handle much of the labor, freeing people for leisure and creativity (Keynes, 1930).
However, contrary to these optimistic projections, research shows that the actual average amount of work—measured by hours worked per week per person and total economic output—has increased or “tripled” in terms of intensity, complexity, and expectations. This reflects not just the hours on the clock but also multitasking, connectivity demands (e.g., emails and smartphones), and productivity pressures that have increased the effective workload dramatically(Graeber, 2013; Hochschild, 199).
As the use of smart device use has skyrocketed, so have concerns about their long-term effects on our nervous system. Are these digital companions silently damaging our brain and nervous system health? Let’s dive into what current research suggests.
The Ubiquity of Smart Devices and Nervous System Impact
Smart devices emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which are a type of non-ionizing radiation. While these levels are generally low, the constant and close proximity of devices to our heads and bodies raises questions about chronic exposure.
Multiple studies have investigated EMF exposure and its influence on nervous system function:
Electromagnetic Radiation and Oxidative Stress: Research indicates that prolonged EMF exposure can induce oxidative stress in neural tissues, which is a state where free radicals damage cells and mitochondria, impairing nervous system health (Yakymenko et al., 2016). Oxidative stress is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Sleep Disruption: EMFs from smartphones and Wi-Fi have been shown to disrupt melatonin production and alter sleep architecture, leading to poorer quality sleep (Halgamuge, 2013; Pall, 2018). Since sleep is essential for nervous system recovery and cognitive function, this disruption can have cascading effects.
Altered Brain Activity: Functional MRI studies have revealed changes in brain glucose metabolism and electrical activity following short-term mobile phone use, suggesting that even acute EMF exposure alters brain function (Volkow et al., 2011).
Blue Light and Nervous System Overload
Aside from EMFs, smart devices emit blue light, which has a direct effect on our nervous system:
Circadian Rhythm Disruption: Blue light suppresses melatonin secretion, a hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles (Chang et al., 2015). This leads to delayed sleep onset and decreased REM sleep, impairing memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
Increased Nervous System Excitability: Exposure to blue light in the evening can increase sympathetic nervous system activity, essentially putting the body into a mild “fight or flight” mode, which over time can lead to chronic stress responses and dysregulation (Chellappa et al., 2011).
The Psychological Dimension: Cognitive and Emotional Strain
Smart devices also contribute to cognitive overload and emotional stress:
Information Overload: The constant barrage of notifications and information triggers heightened alertness and anxiety, engaging the sympathetic nervous system excessively and reducing parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity (Thomée et al., 2011).
Tech-Induced Stress: Studies associate excessive smartphone use with increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, all of which negatively affect nervous system balance and resilience (Elhai et al., 2017).
What Can We Do to Protect Our Nervous System?
While the evidence points to concerning trends, there are practical ways to mitigate smart device impact:
Adopt Evening Light: Turn off LED lights and if you can use incandescent lamps/light fixtures at the lowest setting.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Avoid screens 1-2 hours before sleep to reduce blue light exposure and improve melatonin production.
Turn Off WiFi at Night: Give your a break from the bombardment of the silent EMF wavelengths. You can add an outlet timer where the WiFi router is connected.
Sleep With Your Phone In Another Room: Information is demonstrating that sleeping with your phone in another room improve sleep performance. If you’d still like to hear if a phone call comes through we recommend using a bluetooth connected phone like the VTech VS122-16 so you can heard incoming calls, but be separated from your phone.
Use Blue Light Filters: Many devices offer “night mode” settings to reduce blue light emission. The primary issue may not necessarily be the color, but the fast flickering of the phone’s light.
Increase Distance: Use speakerphone, wired headphones, or text instead of holding phones close to the head.
Practice Digital Detox: Regularly disconnect to allow your nervous system time to reset.
Incorporate Nervous System Balancing Practices: Mindfulness, meditation, sauna and cold plunge contrast therapy, and breathwork help counteract sympathetic overload.
Awareness In the Digital Age
Smart devices have transformed our lives in incredible ways but are not without cost. Chronic EMF exposure, blue light emission, and cognitive overload from these devices contribute to nervous system stress and dysregulation. Awareness and intentional practices can help protect and restore nervous system health in our digital age.
References
Keynes, J. M. (1930). Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren. Essays in Persuasion.
Graeber, D. (2013). On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs. STRIKE! Magazine.
Hochschild, A. R. (1997). The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work. Metropolitan Book
Yakymenko, I., et al. (2016). Oxidative mechanisms of biological activity of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 35(2), 186-202. https://doi.org/10.3109/15368378.2015.1043557
Halgamuge, M.N. (2013). Radiofrequency exposure of the brain and effects on sleep. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(9), 4172-4196. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094172
Pall, M.L. (2018). Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health. Environmental Research, 164, 405-416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035
Volkow, N.D., et al. (2011). Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism. JAMA, 305(8), 808-813. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.186
Chang, A.M., et al. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. PNAS, 112(4), 1232-1237. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112
Chellappa, S.L., et al. (2011). Non-visual effects of light on melatonin, alertness and cognitive performance: Can blue-enriched light keep us alert? PLoS ONE, 6(1), e16429. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016429
Thomée, S., et al. (2011). Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults - a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health, 11, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-66
Elhai, J.D., et al. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.030