Is your brain broken?
Brain rot doesn't need to be your constant state - creativity is the ultimate mental software update.
Hey there,
Katina here, Daydreamers’ Co-founder and Chief Science Officer. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about brain health—not just because of our work at Daydreamers, but because, if I’m honest, mine feels broken some days.
Does yours?
Maybe it hits you when you’re trying to remember the name of that person from your favorite show—and suddenly, your mind goes blank. Maybe it’s the endless to-do’s swirling in your head from the moment you wake up, only for your focus to evaporate the second you sit down to work.
Or maybe it’s when you open your phone for one thing, and an hour later you’ve fallen headfirst into a TikTok rabbit hole you didn’t even mean to go down.
If it sounds like I’m speaking from experience, trust me, I am 😵💫.
At Daydreamers, we spend a lot of time talking about the burnout, stress, and anxiety that’s a real consequence of modern life, but here’s the thing harder to admit: our brains are fundamentally exhausted. We’re living with a collective case of brain rot, as the kids say. Basically, focus feels impossible, deep thinking is rare, and we’re more mentally exhausted than ever.
In a world where attention is the most valuable currency, it’s no accident that we feel scattered, depleted, and overwhelmed. These outcomes are by design; we live in ‘attention economy’ that’s engineered to keep us distracted. Think about it—we consume more information in a day than our ancestors did in a lifetime.
But from my view as a Creative Health Scientist, this isn’t just about the brain fog we all feel today—we’re entering an era where living longer doesn’t always mean living well. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are rising at an alarming rate. And, research shows that cognitive decline isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s the result of decades of disconnection, stress and lack of creative rejuvenation.
Now, here’s the (very hopeful) thing: Our brains are adaptable, and just like the rest of our bodies, they can be strengthened with the right training.
So, at Daydreamers we’re making 2025 the year of brain strength over brain rot—because creativity is one of the most powerful (and enjoyable) ways to rebuild our neuroplasticity, improve focus, and help us reclaim deep, imaginative thinking.
Reconnecting with your creative brain isn’t just a nice-to-do; it’s a form of cognitive resistance. Let’s explore the science behind why.
Your brain isn’t broken—it’s just out of shape
Let’s be real: when you hear “brain health,” what comes to mind?
Probably some mix of brain-training apps, crossword puzzles, or popping 15 different supplements a day. Even as a Creative Health Scientist, that sounds pretty boring and on some level, overwhelming.
While those things can help, one of the most enjoyable and neurologically protective things you can do for your brain is…creativity.
Before we get into the neuroscience, let me clarify something I know some of you are thinking: Being creative isn’t just intuitive, sporadic or only possible when inspiration “strikes.” In fact, the very basis of being creative consistently, regardless of the outcome, serves as a neuroprotective force—whether we’re expressing ourselves in physical form or using our imagination.
Every creative act is literally reshaping your brain for the better.
This is because the secret to a strong, dense and flexible brain is found in two key elements of your Creative Health: flexibility and enjoyment.
One of my favorite studies on this topic is the famous "Nun Study” (if you know, you know). Basically, in the 1980s, neuroscientists tracked a group of Catholic nuns over decades and made a groundbreaking discovery: Even when their brains physically showed signs of Alzheimer’s, the nuns who engaged in lifelong creative activities and complex thinking were still cognitively resilient.
Essentially, their brains had built such dense neural connections that they resisted cognitive decline and stayed mentally sharp into old age.
Take that in for a moment. Even if your brain structurally deteriorates, creativity helps you maintain its function. 🤯
This is what scientists call cognitive reserve—essentially, brain strength. And it’s not just one study. Again and again, research has shown that consistent creative engagement thickens grey matter and strengthens key brain regions tied to memory, focus, and cognitive flexibility.
In short? From my nerdy perspective, creativity is our brain’s ultimate software upgrade.
Creativity: Our Brain’s Ultimate Software Upgrade
Now, I know many of us want to be proactive and thoughtful about our longevity—but life right now often takes precedent. And let’s be honest: scrolling is easier than sketching. Consuming content is easier than creating.
Listen, I can completely relate. Remember that this is by design. The attention economy profits off of keeping us passive, distracted, and stuck in a cycle of fragmented thinking.
But every time we create, we push back.
Creativity doesn’t just protect our brain in the long run; it has an immediate impact on “brain rot.” We see every day how quickly a 5-minute creative act can reduce stress, enhance focus and even motivation. But, countless studies show that within just a few minutes of creative play, our brain lights up across multiple regions, reduces mental clutter, boosts problem solving and even shifts our brain into a relaxed, flow-state.
Sounds…ideal, huh?
That’s why at DD we don’t just talk about creativity in some abstract, feel-good way. We train it. We think of our method like a digital gym for your creative brain—because just like working out, the key isn’t a one-time effort (looking at you, abandoned adult coloring books 😬).
On that note, I have really exciting news to share with you all: We’re opening a few slots to work directly with me to expand your creative brain.
This is extremely rare for us to do, but we’ve been hearing that a lot of you that you’re craving extra support in getting your creative habits going. I’m excited to help 🧠.
Most importantly, I want you to know that there can be a world where you can feel like this: Mentally clear, deeply focused, and fully present.
Think back to the last time you were in that mode. Maybe you were lost in a creative project, completely in the zone. Maybe you were having a conversation where your ideas flowed effortlessly. Maybe you were exploring something new—unrushed, unstressed, just curious.
That is the brain state we’re after. And it’s completely within reach.
So, let’s train our brains to be stronger, more flexible, and resilient for life. Because in 2025, we’re choosing Brain Strength over Brain Rot. 💭✨
With us?
- Katina
Daydreamers’ Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer
Enjoying what you’re reading?
At Daydreamers, we’re on a mission to help you reclaim your brain—because in a world designed to keep us distracted, creativity is the antidote. Think of us as a digital gym for your creative brain, training it to be stronger, sharper, and more resilient.
And here’s the thing: Investing in your Creative Health isn’t just about you—it’s about pushing back against the attention economy and fueling a movement that helps all of us think deeper, focus better, and feel more alive. Your support keeps these science-backed resources free for everyone, making creative strength something we can all build together. 💭✨
Creative Brain Expander 🧠
Here’s a little taste of what we do at Daydreamers. Each week, we’ll share a creative concept or tool from the Daydreamers Platform to help you turn this week’s insights into action.
Cognitive Offloading
What it is: Ever feel like your brain is at full capacity, like a browser with too many tabs open? That’s because our brains have hard limits on how much we can focus and retain at any given time. In an era of constant notifications, we’re bombarded with more information than our brains were built to handle. This is where cognitive offloading comes in—our brain’s natural way of outsourcing information to free up mental space, like using To Do lists or whiteboards. At Daydreamers, we see creating in the physical world as a natural way to make more space in your brain for inspiration, wonder and curiosity.
How to experiment with it: We’re big fans of creative cognitive offloading—and a lot of our exercises are based on it. But, you can try it at home, too. Take a blank piece of paper (yes, paper—no screens) and do a "brain dump" of everything floating in your head. No organization, no judgment—just empty your thoughts. What surprised you? How much more free did your creative brain feel afterwards?
Curious to explore more? We’ve got a whole library of science-backed creative exercises waiting for you in the Daydreamers Universe.
What We’re Loving This Week 🪐
Each week, we’ll share something that’s that’s helping us live a more creatively fulfilling life — whether it’s a book, an idea or even product we love. Think of it as a little dose of inspiration straight from me, Katina, and the team at DD HQ 🚀
Attention Economy Deep Dive: “You’re Being Alienated By Your Own Attention“
If the concept of the Attention Economy has you intrigued and you want to dig deeper into how it shapes our world today, MSNBC host Chris Hayes wrote a fascinating piece in The Atlantic earlier this year (which later expanded into a book).
He unpacks the history of how our attention became one of the most valuable commodities—and what that means for our ability to think, focus, and engage meaningfully with the world around us. Fair warning: it requires an extended attention span, but that’s exactly why it’s worth the read.
Tell us in the comments: What’s one way you’ve noticed the Attention Economy affecting your daily life? Maybe it’s the endless scroll, the struggle to focus, or the constant pull of notifications—share a comment and let’s talk about it! 👇💭
P.S. Can you forward this newsletter to a friend who needs a dose of Creative Health? We’re trying to reach our goal of 100,000 subscribers by this summer and we need your help. If you’re enjoying what you’re reading and think someone you know can benefit, send them a nudge of creativity! 🤍