Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
A Pew Research study found that 85 percent of Amerians go online every day
and a third of all Americans say they are constantly online. Society has embraced technology, but
technology affects mind, body, and soul, often in unexpected ways.
For tech wellness advocate August Brice, she found out decades ago that she could not handle a cell phone because she was so sensitive to it. An investigative reporter at the time, she began speaking to other people and learning the many ways that electromagnetic sensitivity can manifest itself.
Brice says she likes to talk about wireless radiation and electromagnetic fields as other another
source of pollution and toxicity that you don't need in your environment. If you try to keep pesticides and chemicals out of your home, or are mindful of food additives in what you consume, then you are likely going to notice that you feel better when you reduce EMFs in your environment. And it's not that hard to figure out where excess EMFs are coming from. Just buy a meter and walk around the house and you'll discover all the appliances and devices that have wireless antennas. Those antennas are emitting wireless signals even when the device isn't in use.
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Like EHT on Facebook: facebook.com/EHTrust
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Subscribe to EHT’s YouTube to get more news and information on 5G and wireless.
But turning off these devices is not so easy for many, especially for those who have behavior called "maladaptive consumption" relating to technology. Though the American Psychological Association refuses to call it an "addiction," spending all hours of the day on social media or gaming, for instance, is a behavior that can cause disruptions at home, including to relationships and your own health.
Brice explains that when we're on our phones or using technology too much, we begin to experience "intermittent rewards" — part of our brain lights up when we get notifications or likes on social media posts. This part of the brain that processes rewards has less grey matter, which means it takes more dopamine to light up that part of the brain. Dopamine helps with memories, attention, and movement, and everyone has a baseline level of it in their body. However, if the reward system requires more and more use of dopamine, then our baseline becomes not enough for our mood, and that can lead to depression. Brice says a similar experience occurs with technology impacting our cortisol levels. When you are addicted to technology and set down your phone to try to reduce your use, after a while you become anxious, which is caused by the release of cortisol, which causes the feeling of "fight or flight."
Internet addiction is real and you can take the eight-point maladaptive consumption quiz on Brice's website Techwellness.com to learn whether you're suffering a technology obsession. And if you are, TechWellness.com can offer tips and tricks to reduce this behavior.
Watch the entire episode to learn more about the biochemical effects of technology and ways to redue consumption.
A Pew Research study found that 85 percent of Amerians go online every day
and a third of all Americans say they are constantly online. Society has embraced technology, but
technology affects mind, body, and soul, often in unexpected ways.
For tech wellness advocate August Brice, she found out decades ago that she could not handle a cell phone because she was so sensitive to it. An investigative reporter at the time, she began speaking to other people and learning the many ways that electromagnetic sensitivity can manifest itself.
Brice says she likes to talk about wireless radiation and electromagnetic fields as other another
source of pollution and toxicity that you don't need in your environment. If you try to keep pesticides and chemicals out of your home, or are mindful of food additives in what you consume, then you are likely going to notice that you feel better when you reduce EMFs in your environment. And it's not that hard to figure out where excess EMFs are coming from. Just buy a meter and walk around the house and you'll discover all the appliances and devices that have wireless antennas. Those antennas are emitting wireless signals even when the device isn't in use.
Sign Up for EHT's newsletter at ehtrust.org/publications/newsletters
Like EHT on Facebook: facebook.com/EHTrust
Follow EHT on Instagram: instagram.com/ehtrust
Learn and Support EHT on Patreon at patreon.com/ehtrust
Subscribe to EHT’s YouTube to get more news and information on 5G and wireless.
But turning off these devices is not so easy for many, especially for those who have behavior called "maladaptive consumption" relating to technology. Though the American Psychological Association refuses to call it an "addiction," spending all hours of the day on social media or gaming, for instance, is a behavior that can cause disruptions at home, including to relationships and your own health.
Brice explains that when we're on our phones or using technology too much, we begin to experience "intermittent rewards" — part of our brain lights up when we get notifications or likes on social media posts. This part of the brain that processes rewards has less grey matter, which means it takes more dopamine to light up that part of the brain. Dopamine helps with memories, attention, and movement, and everyone has a baseline level of it in their body. However, if the reward system requires more and more use of dopamine, then our baseline becomes not enough for our mood, and that can lead to depression. Brice says a similar experience occurs with technology impacting our cortisol levels. When you are addicted to technology and set down your phone to try to reduce your use, after a while you become anxious, which is caused by the release of cortisol, which causes the feeling of "fight or flight."
Internet addiction is real and you can take the eight-point maladaptive consumption quiz on Brice's website Techwellness.com to learn whether you're suffering a technology obsession. And if you are, TechWellness.com can offer tips and tricks to reduce this behavior.
Watch the entire episode to learn more about the biochemical effects of technology and ways to redue consumption.
