Kentucky Among States With Highest Brain Rot Scores
Have you ever caught yourself saying "just one more scroll" and then losing track of time? It happens to me too, and it seems we're not alone.
A new national study is putting a number to that habit, and Kentucky is near the top of the list.
Kentucky Ranks Among Highest In The Country
A recent analysis from health and nutrition brand JuicePlus+ ranked all 50 states based on what researchers are calling "brain rot," a term tied to mental fatigue from too much low-quality digital content.
Kentucky landed at #8 in the country, with a score of 81.29 out of 100, placing it in the study's "very high" category.
That score is about 36% higher than the national average, which gives some context for just how elevated it is.
What The Study Looked At
Researchers didn't just look at screen time. The index factored in a mix of things, including:
- Social media usage
- Gaming habits
- Internet access
- Outdoor activity levels
- Physical exercise
- Teen reading ability
All of those were combined to estimate where digital overstimulation appears to be most common.
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A Pattern That Goes Beyond One State
While Kentucky ranked in the top 10, it's part of a larger trend.
More than 60% of states fell into high or very high categories, including neighboring Indiana, which came in at #12.
This makes it clear that it's not just one state standing out. It's something showing up across much of the country.
The Bigger Picture
One statistic from the report really puts things into perspective, pointing out that adults ages 18 - 34 in the U.S. collectively spend the equivalent of more than 23,000 years every single day on social platforms.
That number sounds wild, but it reflects something most people probably recognize in their own routines. I know I certainly am guilty of doomscrolling, too.
Whether it's scrolling, watching short videos, or bouncing between apps, it adds up quickly, sometimes without us even realizing it.
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Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals