We live in the age of information and our mind does not resist stimuli. How do you respond to this challenge? Neuroscience gives us tips on how to overcome distractions and improve our ability to learn

dierk schaefer - Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

There is no shortage of stimuli in our daily lives: social networks, numerous smartphone notifications, and fear (or anxiety) are missing out on something. We are bombarded directly by a huge amount of information. How to deal with it? "We must have control over how we interact with the world around us," advised American neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley during his participation in the Knowledge Exchange Session (KES). At the event, held on August 15, 2017, at Casa Itaim, in São Paulo, the speaker addressed the challenges of how we can live better with technology and increase our cognitive process, especially in an environment where doing many activities simultaneously is something valued.

Adam began his presentation by talking about the complexity of the human brain and what he calls the "myth of multitasking." "Even if we do two things at the same time, like typing and driving, our attention is not 100% on any of the activities, and that's a danger," he said. In addition, the neuroscientist gave an overview of the evolution of our brain and how we are special beings. "Our brains are unique because we have goals. We are not creatures that only react to the reflections of the environment ". He explained that in our brain our goals work in a top-down scheme and the influences of the environment in a bottom-up scheme. This last topic deals with our cognitive control - made up of items such as attention, goal management and working memory (ability to store temporary information for decision making). They are responsible for our mental ability to achieve our goals, and that's where things get complicated. "We must have control over how we interact with the world around us."

Our distracted mind

The main thesis of the book "Distracted Mind", written by Gazzaley in partnership with the psychologist Larry D. Rosen, is that we are beings eager for information. This idea was developed after behavioral analysis and that we react in a similar way as defined by a theoretical model, which predicts the action of animals in the search for food. In the example given by the speaker, a squirrel searches for nuts in a tree and it will accumulate and consuming the food. The theory says that the higher the consumption, the faster it looks for another source, because it knows that the food is ending there. If the tree is accessible, next to it, even better. That's where the squirrel goes. Now, let's change the food for information. Our source may be the smartphone or an app. If you spend too much time in this environment, you begin to feel the need to shift to another in search of more information.

"Most data suggest that when we engage with a source of information, we accumulate boredom. Probably because of the speed we received rewards. In addition, there is an increase in anxiety, of feeling that something is being lost. This feature is even more common in social networks, "said Gazzaley. Unlike squirrels, which need to get trees to feed themselves, all technology is based on "accessibility." It's all given on a plate: when reading a story on the internet, there are several links. When you receive a notification, there is a shortcut to an app. And there we are in this vicious circle of search for satiety of information, accompanied by boredom and anxiety. "Rest is critical to avoiding a distracted mind. When you do not sleep properly, fatigue greatly undermines the learning process. "

affen ajlfe - Public Domain Mark 1.0

Behavior change

You can see that our brain loves stimuli. If we do not take control, we make it impossible for those larger goals that set us apart from animals. For this reason, Gazzaley invites us to change behavior to interact with technology in a healthy way. The first step is to become aware of the problem. Then reduce the accessibility of technological means. During tasks that require attention, leave the smartphone aside, leave e-mails for later, and turn off notifications.

In addition, we must control our boredom and anxiety - scheduled breaks during long work can help make the task of doing one thing at a time more pleasurable. In addition to avoiding distractions, the neuroscientist recalled activities that seem basic but which are very important for improving our ability to learn, such as eating well, practicing physical exercises, reducing stress and sleeping. "Rest is critical to avoiding a distracted mind. When you do not sleep properly, fatigue greatly undermines the learning process."

Increasing the ability to learn

Although the technology may seem villainous, it is precisely in it that Adam bets to improve our ability to learn. In Neurosape, UCSF neuroscience laboratory (University California San Francisco) in the United States, it applies technology to neuroscience. Using apps, video games and virtual reality, the research center has developed ways to improve brain functions to help treat diseases such as autism, ADHD, depression, and so on.

As part of this effort to harness technology with neuroscience, Adam began to apply some of the knowledge to Akili Labs, a company that brings together neuroscience experts and entertainment developers. One of the applications made by the company is Project Evo, an iPad game in which the player must avoid a series of obstacles. The game may seem simple, but it's being considered for the treatment of people with attention deficit - including the company will apply for approval in the US, so that the game is considered an official treatment for cognitive impairment.