A sweeping new study of more than 4.5 million U.S. adults has revealed a troubling surge in self-reported cognitive impairment—difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making—in the last decade. According to data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the rate has jumped from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023, representing a 40% increase and the highest level ever recorded. The most dramatic change has been observed among young adults (ages 18–39), whose reported rates nearly doubled from 5.1% to 9.7%. Most of this increase began around 2016 and has continued steadily, with signs that the trend is ongoing.
Researchers caution that this pattern goes beyond clinical concerns; the erosion of focus, logical reasoning, and decision-making is now emerging in broader society, from public dialogue and social networks to workplaces and personal relationships.
Two key factors are being highlighted as potential drivers behind this unprecedented rise:
The Role of Neurotoxic Exposure
Emerging research, including a large population-based cohort study in South Korea, links mass uptake of mRNA-based vaccines with increased risks of cognitive impairment. For instance, the study found a 138% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment and a 23% increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease among those exposed to these vaccines (odds ratios: MCI 2.38, Alzheimer’s 1.23; both with significant confidence intervals). Separately, analysis by Thorp and colleagues catalogued 86 serious neuropsychiatric disorders—including cognitive loss, dementia, depression, delusions, and more—reportedly associated with COVID-19 vaccination. With more than 80% of the world’s population having received these injections, some experts warn of a potentially massive future burden of cognitive decline.
The Impact of Heavy AI Use
Meanwhile, a recent MIT neurocognitive study suggests that repeated use of artificial intelligence writing assistants, such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini, can result in measurable and lasting neural suppression. EEG scans showed that regular reliance on these tools led to weakened neural connectivity, decreased memory recall, and a persistent drop in brain activity—even after participants stopped using AI. By the fourth session, students trying to write without AI support were unable to re-engage their executive and creative brain functions fully. The authors caution that this kind of “cognitive offloading” may cause lasting dependency, with the human brain increasingly surrendering effort, logic, and creativity to machines.
Broad Social and Cultural Implications
The article warns that the combination of widespread neurotoxic exposure and heavy AI reliance could lead to a generation less able to focus, recall, or critically process information. Such a society may be more vulnerable to manipulation and less able to discern contradictions or resist deception.
The nationwide South Korean cohort study by Roh et al. analyzed data from over 558,000 adults aged 65 and older to investigate the potential link between COVID-19 vaccination and cognitive disorders. The study found that individuals who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines had significantly higher risks of developing cognitive impairments within three months after vaccination.
Specifically, the risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) was increased by 138% (odds ratio [OR] 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85–3.06), and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was elevated by 23% (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.03–1.46) compared to unvaccinated individuals. These findings suggest a possible association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and an increased incidence of cognitive disorders in the elderly, highlighting the need for continued research and monitoring of long-term neurological effects post-vaccination. The study did not find significant associations with other neurodegenerative conditions such as vascular dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
Some commenters see these trends as profoundly troubling, expressing concern that a less cognitively capable populace is easier to control and may be at risk of being directed or deceived by authorities or interest groups. The article calls for public awareness and further discussion of these potential risks to brain health and collective reasoning.
