ChatGPT—what it’s doing to your brain

I am feeling a little disappointed in myself for not writing a post for nearly an eternity. The truth is, I put an unnecessary pressure on myself to write something profoundly deep, inspired, and Pulitzer-worthy. Well, that last part my be a bit of an exaggeration, but I do like to turn out something that’s worth the time it takes to read.

Everyone says I should use ChatGPT for the newsletter (maximize time, reduce energy!), but I refuse to capitulate for two reasons:

1. I value authenticity. In an in increasingly synthetic world, I don’t want to pretend ChatGPT is my voice. I don’t do fake.

2. The process of writing is good for my brain and mental health. There are infinite ways to tap into creativity, and writing happens to be a channel that I can do with confidence and enjoyment. 

This isn’t to say ChatGPT isn’t a valuable tool, it most certainly can be. I am simply pointing out, with technology, there is often a hidden cost.

What are the untold consequences of AI-reliance on our health and cognitive function?

Let’s look at artificial intelligence through the thousands of years old system of traditional Chinese medicine. 

It’s apropos of the season to point out that winter belongs the Water element. The Kidneys and the Bladder are the respective organs of the Water. These organs have many functions: they regulate the waterways of the body, urination, genitalia, sex hormones, as well as governing the bones, the teeth, the head hair and even the brain.

The kidneys store the essential energy and substance of the body known as Jing.  Jing is responsible for fertility, bone marrow and the brain, also known as the Sea of Marrow. 

Jing regulates growth, development, reproduction, long-term memory and certain aspects of cognition including creativity. 

Water is the phase of gestation: where ideas and concepts incubate until they are ready to be born.  

If we allow machines to do the thinking for us, at what point does creativity wither? 

What about recall, cognition, memory and problem solving?

Also, what will happen to the energy of the Kidneys if we stop engaging the brain? 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we treat the root to affect the branches: this means our treatment plan addresses the underlying organ imbalance in order to resolve symptoms. 

Alternatively, we can also treat the branches to harmonize the roots. In other words, addressing symptoms as the primary focus of the treatment can restore the natural harmony of the affected organ system. 

What will happen to our Kidney energy and our Jing if we don’t protect it from the unseen effects of digital overuse?

We are already seeing a sharp decline in fertility for both men and women due to the toxic environmental soup we are all bathing in.  

Will AI only exacerbate that trend because it has the effect of diminishing our brains and thereby Kidney Jing?

Could reliance on digital devices deplete bone or tooth health? Early hair loss? 

I know this sounds somewhat far-fetched, but what do we really know about how technology of today will impact our health in 20 years from now? 

Digital dementia is a term that was coined by Dr. Manfred Spritzer. It refers to the cognitive decline that results from excessive reliance on digital devices. Research has shown that there are structural as well as cognitive changes in the brain due to the internet, gaming, social media, AI etc. 

Digital media overuse impacts brain development, cognitive and inhibitory control, attention, memory, and reasoning.  It can impair motor skills, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and language learning. 

Neuroimaging studies reveal that screen usage affects brain networks controlling social-emotional behavior and executive functions.  

Furthermore, it diminishes gray matter in key brain regions affecting cognitive and emotional regulation. Well that doesn’t sound good, now, does it?

I am not chicken little, and the sky is not falling. But it should give all of us a moment of self reflection on how much we rely on digital devices and artificial intelligence and where to draw the line.  

The line for me happens to be in writing blog posts and newsletters; it’s not that big of a line in the sand, really, but it is a conscious choice and I hope in 20 years I am lucky enough to have all of my faculties. 

I hope everyone will read this and take a moment to reflect on how much technology has infiltrated your life. 

In countless ways technology has made our lives better and easier. But if the cost is a form of dimentia, premature hair loss, infertility, or brittle bones.?

The question is, in the long-run, will short-cuts really be worth it?