Is Binge-Watching Good Or Bad For You? 

A binge-watcher is a peculiar subspecies of Homo sapiens in their natural habitat. They are solitary and are frequently observed lying on their bed or sofa, motionless, staring intently at their laptop or television. They seldom get up, except for occasional trips to the restroom.

The only source of illumination for the binge-eyes watchers is the screen. Unlike so many members of their species, they do not sleep every night. They remain awake late and frequently have red eyes. They become irritated when interrupted and will do anything to eliminate distractions.

Obviously, this is an exaggeration, but for many of us, binge-watching a television series is our primary source of entertainment.

With streaming services putting seemingly endless content at our fingertips, creators tailor their shows to keep us hooked, while their marketing team markets it as the next most binge-able (this is now a word). Google it) show, I cannot help but wonder if this method of consuming television is beneficial.

Is this diet healthy for us, and how does this new television strategy affect our bodies and minds? Is binging good or bad?

Why Do We Binge TV?

Today, we spend between two and three hours per day binge-watching. 63% of US households subscribe to an online streaming service, with 22% of those households accessing Netflix weekly. Children and adolescents appear to watch more television than adults. Some refer to this change as the ‘Netflix Effect,’ so what is this doing to us?

The attraction of numbing the mind with an endless stream of content is potent. Experts have decried the potential dangers of watching a new show non-stop within the first 24 hours, which Netflix refers to as a binge-racer.

Relating to these characters and their stories activates multiple regions of the brain, many of which scientists do not yet fully comprehend, a region that can result in emotional investment and enjoyment. As your brain instructs you to watch the next episode, it concludes, “If this is enjoyable, let’s do it again.”

This pleasure causes dopamine to be released in the brain. The primary dopamine rush results from the activation of the mesolimbic neural pathway. This neural pathway, which involves the limbic system and portions of the midbrain, is referred to as the “reward pathway” because it is associated with pleasure, motivation, and fear.

This pathway is frequently discussed in the context of addiction, and some research suggests that TV addiction may also activate this pathway.

In addition, one may need to binge-watch for a longer period of time to achieve the same high or pleasure as before. This occurs because the brain adapts to the previously established “watch duration.” Therefore, the pleasure of a two-hour binge may no longer be sufficient.

The majority of this research has been conducted on television addiction. To determine whether occasional binge-watching has similar effects on the brain, additional research is required.

When Is Binging TV Good?

While it is true that there is growing evidence that binge eating is unhealthy, the results are not entirely negative. Occasional bingeing may have some benefits.

Many individuals engage in bingeing as a social activity. It provides topics for conversation at parties, with friends, and even on Twitter. There are fandoms dedicated to creating theories, fan fiction, and memes for popular shows. This interaction—mostly online but occasionally offline through conventions such as Comic-Con—can foster a sense of community in many individuals. Fans frequently host viewing parties where they binge-watch and discuss their favorite television shows.

For some, bingeing may be a form of relaxation. A few hours of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., still one of the most popular tv shows on any streaming platform can relieve stress after a long day. The stress hormone cortisol levels of 240 binge eaters were measured during the course of the study. They observed that the cortisol levels of some individuals decreased during binge eating.