In an era where over-caffeinating has become a badge of honour, and burnout and constant output are the norm, AI tools may feel like a lifeline. They help us write faster, plan better, answer emails, write study notes, and summarize meetings. For many, it's about survival. But there’s growing evidence that leaning too hard on AI to manage daily life might have unintended consequences on our brains.

Laziness or A Cry for Help?
It’s no wonder AI feels like the solution. When you're pulled in a dozen directions like parenting, caregiving, health conditions, demanding jobs, and constant digital noise, anything that saves time and energy is welcome. But overusing AI tools doesn’t always solve the core problem. It can actually change how our brains function.

What the Research Says 

A recent study found that people who relied on AI tools to help them write used less of their own brainpower, had weaker memory of what they wrote, and felt less ownership over their work. Brain scans showed their brains were less active in areas tied to thinking, memory, and self-monitoring. Over time, relying too much on AI made it harder for people to remember or explain their ideas without the tool. In contrast, those who started without tools and later used AI performed better, showing stronger thinking and learning patterns. Relying on AI too early may lead to shallow thinking, weaker memory, and less ownership of ideas—a buildup of “cognitive debt” that hurts long-term learning and creativity.

So, what’s the takeaway? Using AI right away can save time, but it may weaken your thinking skills long-term. Building your own ideas first makes AI tools more helpful without the trade-offs.

The Emotional and Relational Toll
Over-reliance on AI isn't just about cognitive shortcuts. It also affects mental health:

• Increased Anxiety and Self-Doubt: When we lean on AI for decisions, problem-solving, or communication, it may begin to erode our sense of capability. Over time, you might start to feel like you can’t manage without it, reinforcing feelings of shame, inadequacy or low self-esteem.
• Disconnection in Relationships: It’s easy to lean on AI to help find the words, especially when conversations feel hard or vulnerable. But meaningful connection asks more from us than polished language. It asks for reflection, emotional discomfort, and showing up authentically, even when it’s messy. When we skip our own internal work and let AI carry the emotional load, we risk missing the deeper layers of understanding that relationships need to grow. Tools can help with structure, but they can’t replace the personal accountability or self-awareness that builds real trust and communication. 
• Compounded Burnout: AI tools can help us meet deadlines or juggle lists of tasks, but they don’t change the fact that many people are operating under impossible expectations. The risk is that AI lets you temporarily keep pace, while the deeper causes of burnout like overwork, systemic pressure, lack of real support go unaddressed.
• Erosion of Self-Trust: Repeatedly turning to AI to phrase your thoughts, make decisions, or frame your ideas can break down trust in your own judgment. Over time, it may feel harder to tap into your own voice, intuition, or creativity without external support. 

It’s a Systemic Issue, Not Just a Personal One
It’s easy to frame this as an individual problem. "Just use AI less.” This overlooks the bigger picture. We live in a system that pushes people to overwork, undervalues rest, and glorifies constant productivity and output. Many workplaces and institutions expect humans to operate at an inhuman pace. Could AI be simply propping up that impossible standard?

When time off to rest, recuperate, and unwind feels out of reach, workloads keep growing, and economic pressures intensify, AI may become a tool for survival, not luxury. But using technology to "keep up" doesn’t challenge the root causes of burnout, inequities, or unrealistic societal expectations.

The Act of Rebalancing
Maybe you don't need to ditch AI entirely. What if it could be used mindfully while staying connected to yourself in the process?

• Keep Emotional Tasks Human: AI can help with everyday tasks, but when it comes to relationships, reflection, or expressing your values, your voice matters most.
• Stay Curious, Not Passive: If AI offers suggestions, slow down and ask, “Does this feel right for me? Is there more I’d want to add or change?” 
• Protect Cognitive Engagement: Automating every decision may save time and energy short-term, but research shows your brain strengthens critical thinking, memory, and problem-solving through active use and engagement, not passive shortcuts.
• Check in with Yourself: Notice when you turn to AI. Is it out of overwhelm, pressure, or self-doubt? There’s no shame in that. It’s just information.
• Zoom Out When Possible: If AI feels like the only thing holding life together, it’s not a personal failing. Many of us are carrying too much, with not enough support or time for rest. That’s a systemic issue, not yours to solve alone.

Despite mixed feelings in society, AI is here to stay. Used wisely, it can be a helpful tool, but it's not a replacement for your own thinking, instincts, or emotional awareness. Especially in a world wired for overwhelm, staying connected to your own thoughts is part of protecting your brain. 

It’s not your fault that life feels unmanageable. We’re all living under systems that demand more than any human can realistically give. VOX Mental Health offers space to slow down, process, and reconnect because mental health isn’t a tech problem.

For more information on AI impact on the brain, visit:

Kosmyna, N., Hauptmann, E., Yuan, Y. T., Situ, J., Liao, X.-H., Beresnitzky, A. V., Braunstein, I., & Maes, P. (2025). Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task. https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2506.08872

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