Is AI Making You Forget How to Think? A Neuroscientist Explains

AI and your brain: what happens to your memory, focus, and judgment when a machine does the hard thinking for you? We first aired this last year. It's worth a second listen.

In the year since, AI has moved into almost every part of daily life: work email, homework, health questions, even the late-night conversations people used to have with a friend. In this episode, I walk through what cognitive offloading does to your mind and brain, why confident-sounding AI is so easy to believe, and how to use these tools while keeping your own voice and judgment.

🔬 What you'll learn:

Why you remember less when you know you can look it up later (the Google Effect)
How automation bias makes AI feel right even when it gets the facts wrong
Why AI emotional support can't replace another person in the room
Three practical ways to let your mind manage AI, so you keep your memory, voice, and discernment
What's at stake for kids growing up with chatbots before they learn to trust themselves

💛 Thank you to our sponsors:

Hans: https://hansfordogs.com/leaf (code LEAF for $30 off your first month)
Shopify: https://shopify.com/leaf
Primal Queen: https://primalqueen.com/leaf
Granola: https://granola.ai/drleaf
ElevenLabs: see a demo of Eleven Agents at https://elevenlabs.io/leaf
Ritual: 25% off your first month of Magnesium+ at https://ritual.com/leaf
Betterhelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/drleaf

📚 Resources mentioned: Sparrow, Liu & Wegner (2011), Google Effects on Memory, Science Help in a Hurry: https://helpinahurrybook.com

🔗 1:1 Coaching with Dr. Leaf: https://drleaf.com/coaching-1-1

New episodes every Wednesday.

#DrCarolineLeaf #AIandYourBrain #CognitiveOffloading #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #BrainScience

If this conversation supported you, tap follow and subscribe so you stay connected to each new episode. Share this with someone who wants to build a stronger, more adaptable mind.

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/drcarolineleaf

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drcarolineleaf

Facebook: https://facebook.com/drleaf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf

Website: https://drleaf.com