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Dr. Mercola
October 20 2007
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How Television Affects Your Brain Chemistry -- And That's Not All!

(Please watch this video -- 3 minutes, 43 seconds)


Many of you believe watching TV is a harmless, entertaining activity worthy of your attention, but the video below will give you some eye-opening things to consider.

In just under four minutes you’ll learn why television is essentially a platform for elite advertisers to peddle their wares, and how the steady stream of images could be making your life in reality seem dull and slow in comparison.

If you watch TV, you owe it to yourself to watch this video.



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Regular newsletter readers know that I am no fan of television, but I am obviously in the minority here in the United States. The average American watches nearly FIVE HOURS of TV a day. This is more than the amount of time I spend in front of a TV in a month, and more than 90 percent of my TV time is spent watching health videos I need to review.

Imagine what you could do if you cut out TV and suddenly had five extra hours in your day to do something productive, good for yourself (exercise!), creative... or maybe simply to relax!

Beyond the time it takes up, though, is the very real impact it has on your brain. As the video alludes, TV is one of the most powerful brainwashing devices there is.

Every year between the food industry and drug companies well over $50 billion is spent on marketing messages to U.S. consumers to influence their food and medication choices. The majority (75 percent) of commercial network television time is paid for by the 100 largest corporations in North America. Some of these companies even have budgets in the billions, and not surprisingly these budgets have the power to influence TV producers to create television that suits their agendas.

And, frequently, these agendas are not aligned with your best interests.

If you do choose to watch TV, even the network news, you must constantly ask yourself who is trying to “sell” you something. But be warned, these corporations are spending large amounts of money to seduce you, so even the most conscious person may not be immune to the messages.

TV itself is not intrinsically evil, and there clearly are many great shows out there, but the KEY is to NEVER watch the commercials. So if you have a TiVO or only watch DVDs you will radically reduce the media’s influence over you. I have been doing this for the last 15 years, and it is one of the reasons why I have been able to get so much done.

I simply do not waste time in front of the TV. As I said earlier, I probably watch less than five hours of non-commercial TV or DVDs per MONTH; typically an hour once a week provides enough passive entertainment for me.

If Not for Yourself, Turn Off Your TV for Your Kids

As an adult, it’s up to you to decide how much time you want to spend in front of your TV (if any), but if you have kids I suggest you set a good example and dramatically limit it.

A growing number of experts agree that allowing children under the age of three to watch television can impair their linguistic and social development, and also put them at risk of health problems including attention-deficit disorder, autism, and obesity.

Older kids are also at risk from watching TV. Too much time in front of the tube may:
The good news is that one study found a great majority of parents -- 72 percent -- are worried about their kids' exposure to the media.

However, only 23 percent actually took the step of restricting their kids’ TV and video game time.

Although giving up or limiting TV may seem like a drastic step, I suspect that once you do it you will be thrilled by the new activities you and your family will begin to take part in… and I doubt you will ever look back!
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Community Comments ( 86 )
 Comment on this Article
  
  
Bridestein
 [ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on October 2, 2007 ]
30 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
TV is a giant time-sucking vacuum. Not watching TV gave me time to learn to play classical piano at the advanced age of 32. Within a year I could play the song in the background. Imagine what else you could do in a year!

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
KathieJamisonCote
 		[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on October 4, 2007]
10 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Bridestein - what a great use of your time!!! 
Classical music envigorates the mind,
unlike TV - which deadens it.   
Mercola
  
Blobby
 		[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on October 22, 2007]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Read the book The Secret Life of Plants and it refers to research that was done by placing plants in front of a TV set and measuring how their growth was affected by the radiation emitted by the TV set.

TV sets emit radiation,despite what the manufacturers tell you.

The programmes are just as toxic.

The mainstream media is complacent and unquestioning and is just an extension of the governments version of world and national events.

The TV is the biggest tool of mass mind manipulation in the modern world.

  
  
Maj
 [ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on October 3, 2007 ]
21 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I love the irony in watching a video to explain how watching television affects your brain.

That's truly classic!
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
tegz07
 		[ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on October 20, 2007]
9 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Maj..It may well be ironic..but the point is the TV medium has been hi-jacked for decades.

Our good Dr. has to fight 'fire with fire'...but at least it's a healthy message.

If you work for a vested interest..you will already know this !!

Now, THAT really WOULD be ironic ;)

BTW Flouride in water can only make the brain situation worse, as already mentioned elsewhere by Dr.M, another personal space hijack based on 'who knows what' agenda !!

Keep up the good work 'Doc' ...

Mercola
  
Deborah.M
 		[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on October 20, 2007]
14 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

A few years back I decided to make an effort to watch less and less TV because I felt I was being fed information that I didn't believe.I've seen considerable improvements in all of my thinking abilities(e.g. areas of memory and critical analysis) Its amazing what you don't see when its right on top of you. The public should also be careful about what is presented in newspapers and on the radio.Try it out for yourselves and give it some time to work. You'll see a big difference also.

Mercola
  
JJReed
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on October 20, 2007]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

How postmodern!  lol

  
  
Russ Bianchi
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on October 1, 2007 ]
20 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
To requote the immortal Groucho Marx:

" I find television very educational.  Whenever someone turns on the set, I go to the other room and read a book."
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
KathieJamisonCote
 		[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on October 4, 2007]
15 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Hey Islander......I love that Bumper Sticker - "Kill Your Television"!

The don't call it a boob tube for nothing..........sit, stare, drool.
Mercola
  
jadedjewel
 		[ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on October 20, 2007]
6 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Russ,

I do the same, usually when my husband turns on sports.  Me personally, I can do without it.  If not for him, I would.  Never turn it on myself.

Mercola
  
LivingDandelion
 		[ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on October 20, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Actually it's funny 'cause watching tv gets me to read more!  I find it hard to focus on a book for a long time without the tv on, the tv seems to force me to focus more on my book.  Also I'll read a page or two during each commercial then stop when the show comes back on.  When I do listen to them, some of the desperate sounding commercials now for new pharmaceuticals are great for a good laugh though!

I also just wanted to add that there are some very interesting informative programs on the tv which are really all that I watch.

  
  
shiva
 [ Joined on 10/06 ] [ Posted on October 2, 2007 ]
17 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Every TV gives off it's own electro-magnetic field of radiation, .. projected out from the front of the TV screen. ...That radiation field in fact acts to "jam" the energy field of the body that sits within range of it.  This is in my opinion perhaps the most insidious and most silently harmful effect of TV on a human being. It's effects are not only hypnotic, but will also promote depression in many who are vulnerable to it.

If you do watch TV,... you would be wise to sit far enough away from the screen to stay outside of the projection of radiation that is coming off of the sets screen. It is also helpful to not sit directly in front of the screen,  but stay off more to the side to avoid the strongest portion of the radiation. ... The larger the screen, the larger the radiation field. For the average size TV set, .. you would do well to stay at least 10 to 15 feet away from the front of the screen. .... If you are sensitive or aware enough,.. you will be able to feel how far the radiation field projects from the screen, and thus how far away you need to sit to stay outside the field.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Katee Roux
 		[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on October 2, 2007]
7 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
I didn't have a tv for 13 years, during some of the most depressed times of my life.  I didn't miss it, didn't want one, but not having it didn't lift depression.

Technology is great.  We have replay tv & can record what we like, watch it, & skip thru the commercials.

It comes down to who you are which effects the things you choose to do.  We enjoy sci-fi.
Mercola
  
Sheila C
 		[ Joined on 12/06 ]  [ Posted on October 2, 2007]
9 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
Hi Shiva, totally agree with you.  But the same can be said about your computer screen.  We are going to have to have pretty long arms to type.
Mercola
  
shiva
 		[ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on October 3, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Shiela, .... Your point about computer monitors is important and certainly correct. .... I do not know how much they help,.. but it is possible to purchase a filter to add to your monitor that will cut down on the radiation.

KateeRoux - - I did not mean to insinuate that TV causes depression. .. Rather,... I have observed from different individuals over the years who I have spoken with about this,.. that if one is vulnerable to depression,.. TV will often promote it. .... I suspect (because of what I have observed of the effects of monitor radiation on my own body),.. that the radiation field is the main cause of this.
Mercola
  
Pat Ormsby
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on October 19, 2007]
11 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola