Binge-watching and brain health don’t go together | CNN

Do you suspect that spending hours every day in front of the television isn’t doing your brain any favors? A new study suggests you may be onto something. Researchers found that people who reported watching television more often in midlife had smaller brain volumes decades later in areas involved in language and thinking. On the other hand, sitting at work was linked to healthier brain measures. What should people make of these findings? Does this mean it’s time to turn off the television for good? To help answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner. CNN: Is watching television really associated with changes in the brain years later? Dr. Leana Wen: That’s what this study found, although it’s important to understand exactly what the researchers measured and what conclusions we can draw from it. Investigators analyzed data from more than 1,700 participants in a long-running study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Middle-aged participants reported how often they watched television and how much

Aug 8, 2026 → Aug 26, 2026