A new report warns that late-night television watching could be silently damaging brain health. According to health experts, staying up to watch TV disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, directly affecting brain functions such as memory, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance.
Psychiatrists highlight that the brain requires deep, uninterrupted sleep to flush out toxins and reset neural pathways.
When screen exposure extends into late hours, especially with sudden changes in brightness and constant stimulation from dynamic content or commercial breaks, it interferes with the brain’s ability to enter this restorative phase.
The result can be increased mental fatigue, anxiety, and long-term cognitive decline.
Medical findings suggest that even an hour of nighttime screen use can reduce total weekly sleep by nearly an hour, contributing to chronic sleep deprivation.
This behavior also suppresses melatonin production, a hormone crucial for sleep regulation, leading to elevated stress levels and increasing the risk of heart disease and other health complications.
Experts recommend removing televisions and digital screens from bedrooms and avoiding screen time at least one hour before bedtime.
Instead, engaging in calming, non-digital activities like reading or meditation can help the brain wind down naturally and support overall mental well-being.
