Brain rot is a term for mindless digital content that causes mental degradation. Learn how it is used in online media, its history, and its contrast with irony. The first recorded use of ' brain rot ' was found in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau's book Walden, which recounts his experiences of living a simple lifestyle in the natural world. WHY ' BRAIN ROT '? Oxford University Press explained that ' brain rot ' gained new prominence this year as a term used to capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The term's usage increased by 230% between 2023 and 2024. The term initially ... Brain rot is a trendy term for the mental fatigue and cognitive decline caused by consuming low-quality content. Learn what it feels like, how it affects Gen Z, and how to limit screen time and improve focus. Brainrot, sometimes spelled brain rot , is a slang term used to describe the effects of being "perpetually online" and consuming large amounts of low-value internet content.
