045. Is Your Amygdala Having a Meltdown? Stuck in hyperdrive: What TikTok, notifications & screens are doing to our nervous systems — and how to calm down

Is your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight—because of your phone? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s April 2025 article on how constant digital input overwhelms the brain, particularly through platforms like TikTok and nonstop notifications. Dr. Huber explains how the amygdala, our brain’s threat detection center, struggles to distinguish between real danger and digital stimuli—keeping us in a state of chronic alertness. This overstimulation sidelines the parasympathetic nervous system, which is crucial for rest, digestion, and long-term well-being. The article offers actionable strategies to calm the system: digital detox, single-tasking, long-distance gazing, deep breathing, and mindfulness practices. Dave and Zoe discuss why tech-induced stress often goes unnoticed—and how even small habits can help restore balance in a fast-paced world. 🎧 Listen now—and give your nervous system the reset it deserves. Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.