Chemistry of Cognition: Reclaiming Focus in the Age of Brainrot

Health & Lifestyle

By Kaajal Luckraz

Time check: 19:00. Friday evening. Finally!

Papa has picked up the takeaway that Mummy ordered on his way back from work. The tablet is set — so the Tiny Human can eat. Grandma joins the table; it’s extremely hot, so she did not go out for a walk, but is watching her usual series on her phone — a gift from the family at Christmas. The teenager of the family is on Call of Duty. Papa is checking the latest hair loss treatments on social media and — not cheugy* — Mummy is foodstagramming.

Brainrot – The Age of Distraction. Pic – Clark Chronicle

Sound familiar?

This is not dysfunction. It is the norm.

I was at a medical exchange a few days ago and we were sharing ideas and experiences, as you do. The whole medical fraternity confessed to being solicited professionally for addressing the consequences of the above phenomenon.

The phenomenon now has a name: Brainrot — the Oxford Word of the Year 2024.

It describes the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials, especially on social media. Research reveals that brainrot leads to emotional desensitisation, cognitive overload, and a distorted self-concept. It manifests as doom scrolling, zombie scrolling, and compulsive digital consumption.

The “digital native” generation? Think again. This phenomenon also affects our population’s most economically and socially productive demographic. They are the ones who contribute by raising families, engaging in meaningful work, caring for the elderly, and connecting with their communities — the 40s–65s.

Are we witnessing a quiet cognitive erosion?

For me, as a pharmacist, brain health is not about the “nootropics hype”. True cognitive resilience depends on neuronal membrane integrity, mitochondrial efficiency, neurotransmitter balance, glycaemic stability, and inflammation control.

Simply put, the most powerful cognitive interventions remain unbranded: 7–8 hours of sleep, stable glucose, resistance training, sunlight, and deep reading.

The Chemistry That Supports Cognition

Evidence-supported nutrients include Omega-3 fatty acids — best in triglyceride formulation; Magnesium (the glycinate salt being excellent for anxiety and sleep, or the threonate); B vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folate — and you are looking for the methylated forms; Vitamin D — yes, despite us being on the sunshine island. My advice here is to avoid multi-nootropic blends with ingredients at “pixie doses”!

The Brain on a Plate

The food you should choose for brain health includes fatty fish like sardines, mackerel, and salmon — 2–3 times a week. Also, a handful of berries a day — blueberries especially. Dark leafy greens like spinach, rocket, and moringa leaves. Avocados and eggs. Nuts — specifically the one that looks like a brain: the walnut. Beans, lentils, and turmeric with black pepper. A little tweak and our Mauritian diet can easily accommodate these ingredients. And oh — dark chocolate (70%+ cacao).

Time check: 19:10. Sudden power cut — electricity overload. Fah!!!!!

Kaajal Luckraz attained her MPharm degree and qualified as a pharmacist at King’s College London.

* A Gen Z-coined slang term used to describe someone or something that is out-of-date, unfashionable, or trying too hard to be trendy, particularly mocking millennial-era trends

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 27 February 2026