#Digitalwellness

Hundreds of millions of people use ChatGPT and similar chatbots each week. (The Washington Post)
Researchers and clinicians now warn that intense use can trigger harmful beliefs in some users. (The Washington Post)

The concern has a name online. It is called “AI psychosis.” (The Washington Post)
Experts say the label is informal and not a clinical diagnosis. (The Washington Post)

The phenomenon matters to Thailand. The country already faces a heavy mental health burden. (World Health Organization)
Thai adolescents and young adults show particularly high rates of depression and suicidal behavior. (The Nation)

A professional editorial revision highlights how widespread AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, may affect Thai youth and communities. The goal is to present clear, concise journalism that informs families, educators, and policymakers about potential psychological risks while offering practical steps grounded in Thai context. Research to date is largely observational, but several clinicians report cases where intensive AI interaction coincides with reality distortion or psychiatric crises. Experts stress the need for systematic study and safer design rather than claiming a new medical diagnosis.

A leading neuroscience study confirms that brief exposure to nature can boost cognitive performance by up to 20 percent, while checking devices during breaks tends to deplete mental energy. For Thai students, workers, and families navigating crowded urban life, these findings offer a practical path to sustainable focus.

In controlled experiments, fatigued participants showed notable gains in memory, attention, and task accuracy after a 20-minute walk in natural settings. By contrast, walking through busy streets did not produce similar cognitive benefits, despite physical activity. Importantly, the restorative effect of nature persisted across weather conditions and even when participants did not particularly enjoy the experience, signaling reliable benefits for diverse mood states.

Revolutionary neuroscience research led by Professor Marc Berman at the University of Chicago provides definitive evidence that brief nature exposure produces measurable cognitive improvements—up to 20% enhancement in mental performance—while digital device usage during breaks actually depletes rather than restores mental energy, offering crucial guidance for Thai students, workers, and families seeking sustainable focus strategies in increasingly urbanized, screen-saturated environments. The findings validate attention restoration theory through rigorous controlled studies that demonstrate nature’s unique ability to replenish depleted cognitive resources.

In Thailand, relentless digital noise from social media, 24-hour news, and constant connections challenges how people think, feel, and decide. New psychological work suggests that deliberately choosing not to know certain information can actually support mental wellbeing, sharper decisions, and greater life satisfaction.

This idea echoes traditional Thai Buddhist concepts of detachment and mindful awareness. It provides scientific validation for the value of selective information engagement in a world overwhelmed by data.

An intensifying mental health crisis is unfolding as more individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for judgment and validation of their physical appearance—a trend that experts warn is exacerbating anxiety, distress, and even dangerous self-harm tendencies. This development, revealed by new reporting in Rolling Stone, signals a troubling intersection between rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and widespread vulnerability around body image, particularly among those already struggling with obsessive appearance-related concerns. The phenomenon is relevant to Thailand’s ongoing digital transformation, growing mental health challenges among youth, and a cultural landscape in which social media already plays a powerful role in shaping self-perception.

A rising concern is taking shape as some individuals with body dysmorphic disorder turn to AI chatbots for judgments about their appearance. Mental health experts warn that such interactions can heighten anxiety and distress, and in severe cases may prompt self-harm urges. The issue shows how rapid AI advances intersect with vulnerabilities around body image. For Thailand, this matters as digital transformation accelerates, youth mental health challenges grow, and social media continues to shape self-perception.

A global music icon highlights a universal question for Thai households: how to blend modern life with hands-on, nature-based parenting. Rihanna discusses how her late father’s influence shapes her approach to raising children, underscoring outdoor play, curiosity, and strong family connections.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Rihanna reflected on the grandfather she never met but who continues to guide her parenting. She credits Ronald Fenty with instilling an adventurous, outdoors-first mindset she wants for her kids—RZA, three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky. “I want them to be outside and in nature. No tablet babies,” she said, describing her hopes for experiential learning and direct engagement with the world.

Global pop icon Rihanna has spoken candidly about how the legacy of her late father has fundamentally shaped her approach to raising her young children, offering insight into the profound influence familial bonds and childhood experiences have on parenting decisions. The singer, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be mother of three shared that her father’s recent passing in May at age 70 not only marked an emotional chapter in her life but also sparked reflection on the values she seeks to pass down to her sons—RZA, age three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky.

A brief daily mindfulness routine can sharpen attention for people of all ages. Research from a leading U.S. university shows that 10 to 15 minutes of guided meditation each day for 30 days improves focus, reduces distractions, and speeds up responses. The study used an app-based program and eye-tracking tasks to measure results, with benefits seen across young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

Attention—focusing on relevant information while ignoring distractions—plays a crucial role in learning, work, driving, and safely navigating Bangkok’s busy streets. In Thailand, rising screen time and urban stress challenge concentration for students, workers, and the elderly. Strong attention relates to better academic performance, fewer accidents, and improved well-being. Thailand’s public health and education sectors are increasingly seeking scalable, evidence-based methods to boost cognitive health amid digital overload.

A new study has revealed that a brief daily mindfulness meditation routine can significantly sharpen attention in people of all ages—offering a promising, low-cost tool to boost cognitive health amid Thailand’s increasingly distracted society. The research, conducted by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and published in the journal eNeuro, found that just 10 to 15 minutes of guided meditation per day over a 30-day period improved participants’ ability to focus, tune out distractions, and react more quickly, regardless of whether they were young adults or senior citizens. These findings suggest mindfulness exercises, already popular for stress management, could become a practical strategy for enhancing brain function, especially as Thailand’s population ages Discover Magazine.

A wave of new research has reignited scientific and public debate on “dopamine deficits”—a phenomenon whereby modern lifestyles, shaped by omnipresent digital media and high-reward environments, dampen our capacity for pleasure and motivation. Experts now warn that this subtle neurological imbalance is widespread, with significant consequences for mental health, productivity, and daily happiness—even in thriving societies such as Thailand.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter made in the brain, is central to how humans pursue pleasure and rewards. While it’s essential for motivation and goal-seeking, new studies suggest that an abundance of high-stimulation activities—ranging from social media scrolling to ultra-processed foods—hijacks this system, leading to a flatlining of mood and satisfaction. The result is a chronic state where familiar joys fade and ordinary accomplishments lose their spark, pushing individuals toward ever-greater stimulation just to feel “normal” CNN Health.

A growing body of research is sparking a vital discussion about dopamine deficits—where constant digital stimulation and high-reward environments may dull our capacity for pleasure and motivation. Experts warn this subtle shift is widespread and can influence mental health, productivity, and overall happiness, even in Thailand’s thriving communities.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter tied to motivation and reward, is increasingly shaped by modern stimuli—from social media to ultra-processed foods. The result can be a flattened mood and a sense that ordinary joys no longer satisfy. This can drive people to seek ever stronger experiences to feel “normal.” Research from leading Western universities highlights the need for mindful lifestyle adjustments.

The explosive rise in popularity of AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT is sparking rigorous new research into how these digital assistants may be fundamentally altering the way our brains work. As Thai students, professionals, and families increasingly turn to generative AI for tasks ranging from essay writing to bedtime stories, urgent questions are emerging about whether this convenience comes with hidden cognitive costs.

For Thais who have rapidly adopted generative AI in education and everyday life, this inquiry has special relevance. Thailand’s government and universities have promoted digital literacy and the integration of AI in classrooms, aiming to boost competitiveness in the regional economy. Yet concerns are growing: is this powerful technology sharpening our minds, or is it making us passive consumers of machine-generated knowledge?

A new wave of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, is reshaping study habits, work routines, and creative processes across Thailand. As students, professionals, and families increasingly turn to generative AI for essays and brainstorming, concerns rise about long-term effects on critical thinking and originality.

Thailand has championed digital literacy and AI in classrooms to boost regional competitiveness. Yet educators and cultural observers warn of hidden costs. Is this technology sharpening minds or promoting dependence on machine guidance?

Texas has become the latest—and one of the largest—states in the United States to ban students’ use of cell phones in all public K-12 schools, following the signing of House Bill 1481 by the state governor earlier this week (KXAN). The law gives individual districts two options for compliance: either prohibit all student devices on school property outright, or require students to store their phones securely and inaccessible during the school day (KHOU). The ban is set to take effect across the state for the 2025–2026 academic year (Statesman).

A sweeping Texas policy bans student use of cell phones in all public K-12 schools, taking effect in the 2025–2026 academic year. Districts must either prohibit devices on campus or require students to store them securely during the school day. The move follows concerns about digital distractions, student well-being, and classroom discipline, and it has sparked a global debate about technology in education.

For Thai educators and policymakers, the Texas case offers a timely point of reflection. Smartphone use among youth has surged in Thailand and around the world, reshaping how students learn, interact, and manage information. While some studies link unregulated use to lower focus, increased bullying, and mental health challenges, others warn that outright bans may overlook deeper systemic issues and could cut off useful learning tools and communication channels.

In a world of rising uncertainty, Thai youth are turning to memes for emotional relief. A growing body of research indicates that creating and sharing memes helps young people cope with negative emotions during tough times. While the studies are international, their findings resonate strongly with Thailand’s digitally native generations navigating a fast-paced social media landscape.

For many Thai youths, daily communication happens on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Memes—ranging from clever wordplay to layered visual satire—are shared widely and serve more than mere entertainment. Research summarized by researchers and science outlets shows that meme engagement can provide tangible emotional support during periods of stress, including political tensions, economic pressures, and ongoing global health concerns.

As the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, a surprising source of emotional comfort has emerged for the younger generation: internet memes. According to recent research highlighted by Psychology Today, the consumption and creation of memes may play a significant role in helping youth cope with negative emotions during challenging times. The study, though international in focus, carries important implications for Thai youth navigating a digital landscape awash with humor, satire, and rapid-fire social commentary.

ChatGPT, the AI assistant from OpenAI, has emerged as an unofficial “therapist” for millions of Gen Z users on social media. Thai youth increasingly seek digital support for mental health, prompting hope and caution among experts and officials about AI as a substitute for professional counseling. The trend is global, with local online communities watching its impact closely.

This phenomenon is about more than viral videos. In March 2025, millions of TikTok posts explored ChatGPT as a therapist. Data from popular outlets show that AI-powered support has become a widely discussed topic among younger generations worldwide, including in Thailand, where smartphones are common and privacy concerns shape how young people seek help. Many Thai students face barriers to traditional services—stigma, cost, and provider shortages—making AI chatbots seem like an accessible first step for emotional support, stress management, and self-reflection.

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is making waves on social media for its unexpected new role: serving as an unofficial “therapist” to millions of Generation Z users. As Thai youth and young adults increasingly turn to virtual support for their mental health needs, experts and officials are raising both hope and concerns about the implications of using AI as a substitute for professional counseling—a trend reflected globally and gaining traction in local online communities.

Gen Z is flocking to gyms worldwide, seeking more than physical strength. For young adults navigating social, economic, and digital pressures, the gym has become a space to reclaim agency and emotional balance. Experts say fitness acts as both shield and sanctuary—helping manage stress, build identity, and create stability in uncertain times.

In Thailand, urban areas like Bangkok reflect this shift. Gym memberships among university-age Thais have risen after the pandemic, driven by the desire to cope with study stress, social media fatigue, and a volatile economy. Data from local health and education authorities shows young people are prioritizing mental wellbeing alongside fitness goals.

Across the globe, Generation Z is flooding gyms at record rates, seeking more than just muscle tone or cardiovascular endurance. For young adults facing unprecedented social, economic, and digital turbulence, the gym has emerged as a crucial arena for reclaiming a sense of agency and emotional wellbeing. New research and expert observations emphasize that, for Gen Z, fitness is both a shield and a sanctuary—a way to manage stress, cultivate identity, and carve out stability in an unpredictable era Refinery29.

A growing digital crisis is sweeping across the United States and capturing global attention: the rise of pornography addiction and its complex impact on mental health and social wellbeing. Recent research, echoed in an April 2025 report by WWMT in Michigan, highlights how excessive consumption of online pornography is not just a matter of individual choice—it is evolving into a public health concern with serious personal and societal consequences. The phenomenon is increasingly relevant in Thailand, where digital access is rapidly expanding and patterns of media consumption mirror global trends.