cognitive development Archives - Amazing Health Advances

MIT Study Warns Regular ChatGPT Use Erodes Critical Thinking, Creates “Cognitive Bankruptcy”

The AHA! Team — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:04:47 +0000

Lance D Johnson via Natural News – The MIT study exposes a troubling paradox: while AI promises to democratize learning, it may also stunt intellectual development. In an era where artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize education, a groundbreaking MIT study delivers a sobering reality check: reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT may be crippling the next generation’s ability to think independently. As schools rush to integrate large language models (LLMs) into classrooms, researchers warn that these systems are not just assisting students—they’re replacing the very cognitive processes essential for deep learning, problem-solving, and intellectual growth. The study, conducted by MIT’s Media Lab, reveals that students using ChatGPT for essay writing exhibited alarmingly low brain activity, weak memory retention, and diminished ownership of their work compared to those who relied on traditional research or their own knowledge. Key points: MIT researchers found ChatGPT users showed the lowest neural engagement and produced the weakest essays in quality, coherence, and originality. Brain scans (EEG) confirmed widespread cognitive disengagement—AI users copied and pasted text with minimal critical analysis. Google searchers performed moderately, while the “brain-only” group demonstrated the highest cognitive activation and retention. Lead researcher Nataliya Kosmyna warns policymakers against “GPT kindergarten”, fearing irreversible damage to developing minds. AI’s convenience comes at a cost: passive consumption replaces active learning, eroding problem-solving skills and intellectual autonomy. The cognitive cost of AI dependency The study divided participants into three groups: one using ChatGPT, another using Google, and a third relying solely on their own knowledge to write SAT-style essays. EEG monitoring revealed stark differences in brain activity. ChatGPT users displayed scattered, shallow neural patterns, suggesting their minds were on autopilot—processing information superficially without deep synthesis. In contrast, the brain-only group showed intense, coordinated activation across regions tied to critical thinking, memory, and creativity. “What really motivated me to put it out now before waiting for a full peer review is that I am afraid in 6-8 months, there will be some policymaker who decides, ‘let’s do GPT kindergarten,’” Kosmyna told TIME. “I think that would be absolutely bad and detrimental. Developing brains are at the highest risk.” The findings align with growing concerns about “cognitive offloading”—the tendency to outsource mental labor to machines. Unlike traditional search engines, which require users to evaluate sources and synthesize information, ChatGPT delivers pre-packaged answers, discouraging independent analysis. Researchers noted that AI users struggled to recall their own essays days later, while brain-only participants retained detailed knowledge. Education’s dangerous AI experiment The MIT study exposes a troubling paradox: while AI promises to democratize learning, it may also stunt intellectual development. Younger users, whose brains are still forming critical neural pathways, are most vulnerable. The study’s X post reaction summarized the threat succinctly: AI isn’t boosting productivity—it’s fostering “cognitive bankruptcy.” Historical context amplifies these concerns. Decades ago, educational psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasized that struggle is essential for growth—forcing the mind to bridge gaps in understanding builds resilience and deeper comprehension. Modern pedagogy, however, increasingly prioritizes speed and convenience over cognitive rigor. The rise of LLMs risks accelerating this decline, creating a generation fluent in regurgitating AI outputs but incapable of original thought. The path forward: Balancing tech with cognitive sovereignty Not all technology undermines learning. The study’s Google group—while outperformed by brain-only peers—still engaged in active information retrieval and evaluation, exercising decision-making skills. The key difference? Search engines demand interaction; AI tools encourage passivity. To mitigate harm, experts urge: Delaying AI integration in early education until brains mature. Structuring assignments to require analysis, not just output generation. Promoting “brain-first” learning—forcing students to grapple with ideas before seeking AI help. Developing learning methods that inspire students to seek information that is useful and to question official narratives. Using AI, not in a passive capacity, but in a way that encourages critical thinking and mastering one’s own learning experience. Utilizing AI to assist in mundane capacities that free up the mind to pursue more creative or stimulating learning endeavors that matter. As AI reshapes education, society must choose: Will we raise thinkers—or just efficient mimics of machine logic? If students are provided AI tools and taught what to think, without question or reason, then kids will grow up looking to be spoon fed narratives and generalized information. If students are provided AI tools but are taught how to think, how to question, and how to master their learning experience, then kids will be better suited to navigate the propaganda and mindlessness that AI engines could impart. Sources include: Yournews.com Scribd.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai To read the original article, click here

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Small Fish, Big Health Benefits: Is It Time to Rethink Anchovies?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 07:00:27 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHealth365 – Why is it that most of the world’s anchovies aren’t destined for the dinner plate but processed into fishmeal and oil for use in animal feeds, food additives, and fertilizers? At best, anchovies have a mixed reputation in the U.S., where most consumers rather eat a tender filet of salmon, cod, or haddock, even if – as is the case with salmon – four-fifths of the fish consumed in the U.S. is farm-raised. But here’s the thing about anchovies: the small, bite-sized fish are a superfood that can greatly impact human health and cognitive development. According to Shakuntala Thilsted, winner of the 2021 World Food Prize, anchovies can fight malnutrition, prevent stunting, and promote cognitive development in children. They are good for pregnant women, as small fish have a shorter lifespan than large fish and have less chance of concentrating heavy metal contaminants. Moreover, a 100g serving of anchovies can provide us with 19 grams of protein, 77 grams of calcium, 3 milligrams of iron, and plenty of omega-3s. Anchovies are also a rich source of the B vitamins niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B-12. Don’t Be Fishy About the Anchovy: It’s Time to Reconsider It as a Tiny Powerhouse of Nutrition Ask most Americans what they think of anchovies, and chances are they’ll wrinkle their noses. Maybe … maybe they’ll consent to have some scattered on a Caesar Salad or atop a pizza. Still, most hungry consumers have the same opinion as Ninja Turtle Michelangelo: “Oh, and I want no anchovies. And I mean, no anchovies. You put anchovies on this thing, and you’re in big trouble, okay?!” Still, while the little fish are mostly maligned in the U.S., they’ve been happily devoured around the world for centuries. The ancient Greeks prized the little fish, the Romans turned them into garum, and almost every Asian country has its own unique anchovy sauce. The Health Benefits Aren’t the Only Reason to Reconsider Anchovies Consuming less fish at the top of the food chain helps re-balance the marine ecosystem. According to a study by Villy Christensen of the University Of British Columbia’s Fisheries Center, populations of predator fish at the top of the food chain, such as cod, tuna, and groupers, have suffered huge declines, shrinking by around two-thirds in the past 100 years. However, populations of “forage fish,” such as anchovy, sardines, and capelin, have more than doubled over the past century. Anchovy has a short life span and reproduces quickly and is, therefore, a more sustainable option than other fish. What’s the Most Nutritious Way to Eat Anchovies? Cooking and eating the fish whole is the easiest way to prepare anchovies. However, according to Shakuntala Thilsted, converting the fish into a fish powder with mortar and pestle is “extremely powerful because you are removing the moisture content and concentrating the nutrients by a factor of four.” Making a fish chutney is also an option. Good anchovies are soft, creamy, sweet, and savory – a perfect expression of the fifth taste: unami. It’s a small fish with big health benefits, and American consumers should reconsider adding it to their diet. Sources for this article include: NPR.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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GI Symptoms Linked to Behavioral Problems in Children, Especially Those With Autism

AHA Publisher — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 07:00:50 +0000

University of California – Davis Health via EurekAlert – A new UC Davis Health study found that common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and bloating are linked to troubling sleep problems, self-harm and physical complaints in preschool children. According to the study, published Aug. 6 in Autism Research, these GI symptoms are much more common and potentially disruptive in young kids with autism. “Clinicians and parents need to be aware of the high occurrence of GI problems in kids with autism,” said Bibiana Restrepo, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics and first author on the study. “This study highlights the link between GI symptoms and some problematic behaviors we see in preschool-aged children.” Children With Autism Experience More Gastrointestinal Symptoms Gastrointestinal concerns are frequently reported by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers from the UC Davis MIND Institute evaluated the presence of GI symptoms in preschool-aged children with and without autism. The study included 255 (184 males/71 females) children with ASD between two and 3.5 years of age and 129 (75 males/54 females) typically developing children in the same age group. Pediatricians specializing in autism interviewed caregivers during the children’s medical evaluation. They asked the parents how often their children experienced GI symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, painful stooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in stool and blood in vomit. The researchers grouped children in two categories: those who experienced one or more GI symptom and those who never or rarely had GI symptoms in the last three months. They compared the children in the two groups on measures of developmental, behavioral and adaptive functioning. The study found that preschool-aged children with ASD were 2.7 times more likely to experience GI symptoms than their typically developing peers. In fact, almost 50% of children with ASD reported frequent GI symptoms – compared to 18% of children with typical development. Around 30% of the children with ASD experienced multiple GI symptoms. Problem Behaviors as an Expression of GI Discomfort in Children Multiple GI symptoms were associated with increased challenges with sleep and attention, as well as problem behaviors related to self-harm, aggression and restricted or repetitive behavior in both autistic and typically developing children. The severity of these problems was higher in children with autism. “Problem behaviors may be an expression of GI discomfort in preschool-aged children,” said Christine Wu Nordahl, associate professor at UC Davis MIND Institute and the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “GI symptoms are often treatable, so it is important to recognize how common they are in children with autism. Treating their GI symptoms could potentially provide some relief to the kids and their parents.” The study found no link between GI symptoms and the children’s cognitive development or gender. GI symptoms were equally common in male and female preschool children. To read the original article click here.

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