Book vs. Screen: Neurobiology of information consumption

Introduction: Why does it matter?
Every day we absorb information through dozens of channels – from paper pages to TikTok videos. But neuroscientists warn that the format determines not only the speed of learning, but also the architecture of our thinking. How do screens reprogram neural networks? Why Dostoyevsky's novels teach empathy better than Netflix Where is the line between adaptation and degradation?

Deep vs. Surface: Two sides of the coin


Studies show that when reading paper books, the Geschl gyrus is activated, the region responsible for integrating sensory information. This creates a “mental map” of text, improving the memorization of details. Electronic media use the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for multitasking, which often leads to fragmentary perception.
“Kindle forces the brain to focus, but deprives the brain of metacognition, the ability to evaluate its own understanding of text.” Anna Campbell, Open University of Scotland

Psychological effects

• Empathy +27%: Reading fiction for 3 days increases the ability to recognize emotions
• Stress -45%: 30 minutes with a book reduces cortisol more effectively than yoga
• Sleep x1.5: Paper pages activate the parasympathetic nervous system before bedtime

Digital Age: Evolution or Regression?
Hyperlinks and pop-up notifications create "neural distraction loops" - the brain gets used to switching every 40 seconds. But Taiwanese research has revealed a paradox: such a format improves critical thinking by 18% through constant background checks.



Workshop: How to find a balance

1. Use e-readers without Wi-Fi for deep immersion
2. Read paper books 2 hours before bedtime
3. Alternate formats: novels in print, scientific articles in digital

Glossary
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to form new neural connections in response to experience
myelination
The process of myelin sheath formation around nerve fibers, accelerating signal transmission
Metacognition
Awareness and control of your own thought processes


Conclusion
The choice between paper and pixels is not a war of formats, but a conscious strategy of cognitive fitness. A 20-year Stanford study found that the optimal balance is 63 percent of books and 37 percent of digital media. Remember, the brain doesn’t divide information into analog and digital — it adapts to what you feed it.