Mike is the co-founder of Adapt. He holds a degree in neuroscience and is currently at St. Andrews Medical School. When not researching new formulations or speaking with customers, you'll find him experimenting with different ways to help people get that extra 10% out of life.

Modern life revolves around screens, and social media is the central nervous system of this digital age. The average person spends 147 minutes a day scrolling through apps like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. While these platforms offer connection and inspiration, they can just as easily sabotage focus and productivity.

Let’s unpack this quietly growing issue—the kind that sneaks into your day and derails it before you notice.

Social media's design is addictive by nature. Dopamine—our brain’s “reward chemical”—is released every time we get a like, share, or follow. It's quick, gratifying, and relentless. But there's a catch: dopamine spikes often lead to crashes.

Ever notice how checking notifications mid-task leaves you feeling drained? That’s because social media disrupts deep work. It fragments attention into smaller, less productive bursts. A study from the University of California Irvine found that, on average, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain full focus after a single distraction.

Now multiply that by the dozens of times you unlock your phone during a workday.

Constant exposure to content can create a false sense of productivity. Watching a motivational reel or saving a “5 Tips to Stay Focused” post feels like self-improvement, but does it move the needle? Not always.

In fact, overconsumption of information—often called “content fatigue”—leaves your brain overstimulated, like an engine revving in neutral. You're busy, but you’re not moving forward.

The Workplace Effect

It’s not just personal use; social media has blurred the boundaries between work and leisure. LinkedIn, for instance, creates the illusion of working while scrolling. Slack and similar tools mimic the rapid response culture of Instagram DMs.

The result? People spend an average of 2.5 hours a day recovering from interruptions, whether self-inflicted or external.

Companies are starting to notice. Research by RescueTime showed that employees typically spend 40% of their workweek on tasks with low value due to digital distractions. The implications are obvious: we’re adapting to being “always on,” but it’s costing us creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

Small Changes, Big Wins

The good news? You can reclaim control, one habit at a time.

• Batch notifications: Turn off non-essential alerts and schedule time for emails and updates.
• Mindful usage: Use apps like Focusmate or Forest to block distractions.
• Time limits: Apple’s Screen Time or Google’s Digital Wellbeing tools can curb endless scrolling.
• Breaks: Studies show even a 20-minute walk outside resets overstimulated neural circuits.
• Airplane mode - it's not just for airplanes (including your laptop if not needing internet access)

Adapt to Better Workflows

Social media isn't going anywhere—it’s as ingrained as caffeine or morning traffic. The key is building awareness around your habits and adapting.

Functional tools like adaptogens can help here. Compounds like Lion’s Mane (a core ingredient in Adapt Focus) have been shown to support cognitive function and neural plasticity, making it easier to rebuild focus in a distraction-heavy world. It’s not about becoming anti-social; it’s about choosing when to connect and when to disconnect.

Because the real magic happens when your brain gets a chance to breathe.