Health

Slashing screen time for mental health: Carlos Whittaker shares his unplugged journey

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

Slashing screen time for mental health: Carlos Whittaker shares his unplugged journey

Ironically, it was a notification on his phone that prompted author and podcaster Carlos Whittaker to embark on a seven-week screen-free journey that would change his life.

Whittaker, who lives in Nashville on a “suburban farm” with his wife, three children and dog, knew he used his phone a lot, but didn’t consider it a problem until he sat down and did the math.

After getting an alert that he had averaged seven hours and 23 minutes of daily phone time that particular week, Whittaker realized that if he lived to be 85, he would spend more than a decade of his remaining life on the device.

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In the summer of 2022, Whittaker embarked on a seven-week journey across the United States, navigating his life without the use of any screens.

He documented the mission in his latest book, “Reconnected: How Seven Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human,” which was published on Sept. 10.

Carlos Whittaker, pictured, lived without screens for seven weeks in 2022 in an experience he described as life-changing. (Carlos Whittaker)

“That’s exactly what I did,” Whittaker told Fox News Digital in a Zoom interview. “I lived with these monks and the Amish, and it absolutely changed my life.”

The author spent two weeks at a monastery, two weeks with the Amish and three weeks with his family, living entirely without screens.

“I lived with these monks and the Amish, and it absolutely changed my life.”

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Before and after the experiment, Whittaker’s brain was scanned and analyzed by neurologists – and he details those results in his book.

Whittaker, who described himself as an evangelical Christian, was connected to St. Andrew’s Abbey – a Catholic, Benedictine monastery in California – which allowed him to stay in a guest cabin for the first part of his journey.

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Digital detox

Whittaker almost quit the experiment at the very beginning.

“When you can’t get out of your head by picking up your phone and scrolling TikTok or X or whatever it is, and you’re stuck in your own thoughts – that’s something we’re not used to, and I definitely wasn’t used to it,” he said.

This sudden digital detox led to “four days of panic,” he said, as he experienced “panic attacks, night sweats, heart palpitations [and] jitters.”

Whittaker said he nearly quit his experiment right as it began, finding the sudden lack of a smartphone to be physically taxing. (iStock; Carlos Whittaker)

Not having his phone felt like “coming off the drug of knowledge and the drug of control,” Whittaker said.

But on day five of the experiment, something changed.

“It literally felt like an elephant stepped off my chest and I could breathe again,” he said. “And I got it. But those first four days were the crazy days.”

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In the book, Whittaker writes about how he initially felt uncomfortable living among Benedictine monks and found their prayer routine to be “boring.” (Benedictine monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours, a daily prayer, at different times throughout the day.)

“I’ll be blatantly honest, the first two days, I was bored out of my mind,” he said. “We were praying five or six times a day.”

“When you lower the volume of life, the volume of God goes up.”

But eventually, he said, “I got it,” adding that he has kept up the practice of praying the Liturgy of the Hours even after leaving the monastery.

“I missed it so much. It created a rhythm in my day,” he said. “It gave some stability to some parts of my faith that maybe were unstable.”

Whittaker lived among the Benedictine monks at St. Andrew’s Abbey in California for two weeks, joining them for daily prayer and Mass. (Bryan Chan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“What I learned from the monks is that every day, I had multiple opportunities to lower the volume of life and slow down — and when you lower the volume of life, the volume of God goes up,” he said.

After his time at the monastery, Whittaker moved to the Midwest and lived for two weeks with an Amish family. (The Amish are a religious group that eschews most modern technology.)

Getting permission to live among the Amish, however, was more challenging. Whittaker was rejected by many people he contacted, as they were wary of an outsider temporarily joining their community.

Whittaker spent two weeks living with an Amish family as part of his screen-free experiment. (iStock)

“We finally ended up with a sheep-farming family that was like, ‘Absolutely, come on in,’” he said. “And they helped me become as Amish as I could in 14 days.”

Throughout his seven screen-free weeks, Whittaker journaled and recorded videos each night on a small, screen-free camera.

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Those videos will be compiled into a documentary, also called “Reconnected,” that will be released on Oct. 25, he said.

New habits

While Whittaker has largely returned to life as it was before his experiment – including the use of a smartphone – he has made changes that he says have improved his life.

“This book isn’t about how bad phones are. This book is about how beautiful it is on the other side of the phone,” he told Fox News Digital.

“This book isn’t about how bad phones are. This book is about how beautiful it is on the other side of the phone.”

“Instead of setting up all these rules and restrictions for my screen time, once I fell in love with wondering, with noticing, with savoring, with 90-minute meals – with all of these things I was doing without my phone, I just picked up my phone less.”

Today, Whittaker uses his phone about 3-½ hours a day, four hours less than before the experiment.

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“I’ve legitimately added half of my life back, half of the years back that I was losing before.”

4 tips to cut down on screen time

Whittaker offered a few tips for those who want to limit their daily screen time.

1. Charge your phone outside the bedroom

“The first thing everyone needs to do is stop charging your phone in the bedroom and start charging it in another room,” he said.

“Buy an alarm clock. I know it’s the craziest, most old-fashioned thing, but all it’s going to do is wake you up.”

One of Whittaker’s suggestions to cut down on screen time is to buy an alarm clock. (iStock)

2. Don’t pick up your phone right away

People should avoid looking at their phones for “at least 30 minutes in the morning,” Whittaker suggested.

“Just drink your coffee. When you’re just drinking the coffee, [it] tastes so much better. You get to savor it,” he said.

3. Subscribe to print media

Whittaker subscribes to a newspaper rather than relying on the constant buzz of a smartphone app.

4. Use the ‘do not disturb’ feature

“I’ve actually placed my smartphone in permanent ‘do not disturb,’ so I never get a ‘ding,’” he told Fox News Digital.

Whittaker said his smartphone is permanently on “do not disturb” for everyone except his family and his assistant. (iStock)

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Whittaker has set up his phone so that only his assistant and family can immediately reach him.

“I never get a buzz. I never get a notification,” he said.

Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Health

Study challenges negative cannabis stereotypes, claiming link to brain benefits

Published

3 hours ago

March 9, 2026

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Study challenges negative cannabis stereotypes, claiming link to brain benefits

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While cannabis has recently come under fire for potential negative health risks, a recent study suggests that its use could increase brain volume and cognitive fitness.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus analyzed cannabis usage, brain scans and cognitive test results for more than 26,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 77, using data from the UK biobank.

The study found that cannabis users — particularly those who reported moderate lifetime usage — showed larger volumes in several brain regions.

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“Compared to individuals with no history of cannabis use, those who reported using cannabis showed larger volumes in several brain regions characterized by a high density of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors — regions involved in processes such as memory, information processing and emotion regulation,” lead study author Anika Guha, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, told Fox News Digital.

A recent study suggests that cannabis use could increase brain volume and cognitive fitness. (iStock)

The cannabis users also scored better on cognitive tests that measured learning, processing speed and executive function.

This outcome differs from many previous studies, which have focused on short-term cognitive impairment during or shortly after cannabis use, the researcher pointed out.

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“These findings suggest that the relationship between cannabis and the brain may differ across the lifespan, and that moderate use in mid-to-later adulthood may be associated with positive brain health outcomes,” Guha said.

Not all areas of the brain showed positive effects among cannabis users. The posterior cingulate, which is involved in self-reflection and memory, had lower volume with higher marijuana use.

“The takeaway is not that people should start using more cannabis based on these findings alone.”

As cannabis has been rising in popularity among all ages, this type of study is important for understanding its long-term effects and the pros and cons of use, according to Matt Glowiak, Ph.D., chief addiction specialist with Recovered, an organization that provides information and resources for mental health and addiction treatment.

The drug’s effects likely depend on factors such as age, dose, frequency, product composition and individual vulnerability. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

“Given the connection between cannabis use and larger brain volume, it is believed that it may help [older] individuals retain cognitive function that might otherwise naturally decline,” Chicago-based Glowiak, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

“This is a huge benefit, but one we need to explore a bit further, ahead of encouraging those who would otherwise not consider integrating cannabis into their healthcare regimen.”

Limitations and caveats

As the study was observational in nature, it could not prove that cannabis use improves brain health — instead, it only showed an association, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, who was not involved in the study.

“The preponderance of previous evidence does not line up with improved cognitive function from chronic cannabis use,” Siegel told Fox News Digital. “This study is an outlier, and though it cannot be ignored, it is not justification for use.”

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The study also relied on the UK Biobank, which offers a “large and rich dataset,” Guha said — but it is limited to the questions that were originally posed to the participants.

“In particular, we have only a broad measure of how many times someone has used cannabis over their lifetime,” she said. “We do not have access to details about how they used cannabis, such as whether they smoked or used edibles, the type or potency of cannabis, or when in their life they used most heavily.”

Cannabis users scored better in learning, processing speed and executive function. (iStock)

“Those details likely matter a great deal for understanding how cannabis affects the aging brain.”

Given these limitations, Guha suggests that the findings should be seen as an early indicator that cannabis use may be related to brain aging, “and as a starting point for more targeted research that can tease apart these relationships.”

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“The takeaway is not that people should start using more cannabis based on these findings alone,” she emphasized. “While cannabis may have potential benefits in some contexts, a substantial body of research also documents important risks, underscoring that cannabis is neither completely beneficial nor completely harmful.”

The drug’s effects likely depend on factors such as age, dose, frequency, product composition and individual vulnerability, according to Guha.

“Given the widespread use and legalization of cannabis, it would be great to know that it is net-positive for brain health — however, this feels too good to be true, and too early to claim,” one expert said. (AP)

“As with any substance, individuals should consult with a healthcare provider before initiating use, particularly if they have a history of mental health concerns, as THC (the primary psychoactive component of cannabis) can exacerbate symptoms such as psychosis in vulnerable individuals,” she added.

Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, reiterated that this study is an “outlier,” as most previous research has shown “detrimental effects” from cannabis use.

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Dimitriu agreed that more large-scale studies and review papers are needed to get a “clearer picture.”

“What this cannabis study shows is that there may be conflicting information, which warrants more investigation.”

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

Health

‘Fire-breathing’ trend linked to severe burns in teens, officials warn

Published

15 hours ago

March 9, 2026

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‘Fire-breathing’ trend linked to severe burns in teens, officials warn

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Parents are being warned of a new trend among kids, involving alcohol and an open flame.

The “fire-breathing” challenge has led to reports of severe burns, according to local news outlets.

Kids and teens are reportedly holding alcohol in their mouths and blowing it onto a match or another open flame to mimic “breathing fire.”

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According to Philadelphia’s 6ABC News (WPVI), a teen in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, was intubated and treated for burns to the face, neck and chest after attempting the trend.

A “fire-breathing” challenge is leaving kids with severe burns, according to local reports. (iStock)

“Luckily, in this particular case, it did not burn the building down,” Al Hussey, Wilmerding Borough fire marshal, told WPVI.

“But somebody really got hurt, and, you know, is going to have life-altering injuries.”

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Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick told CBS News Pittsburgh (KDKA) the 14-year-old girl was playing with isopropyl alcohol at an apartment complex.

“It’s not a very smart thing for anybody to do, let alone children,” Dick said. “It’s supposed to be for cleaning off wounds and cuts and stuff, not ingesting and trying to blow fire.

A local fire chief told CBS News Pittsburgh that the incident could have been fatal for the teen. (iStock)

“This could have easily gone inside their digestive tract, and she could have died.”

Anyone who has ingested isopropyl alcohol requires immediate medical attention, according to Healthline, because it can cause stomach pain, dizziness, confusion and slowed breathing. In severe cases, it can lead to a coma.

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Fire experts are urging parents to closely monitor which household products are within their children’s reach.

Ingesting isopropyl alcohol requires immediate medical attention, according to experts. (iStock)

“If they’re doing their hair with chemicals, if they’re taking isopropyl alcohol in the room or any type of fingernail polish remover,” Hussey said. “Obviously, monitor your lighters and your matches and educate your children.”

Multiple cases of children’s injuries have occurred in recent weeks after being allegedly “inspired” by online stunts, WPVI reported. One trend involved microwaving a toy that burst and left severe burns on a 9-year-old’s face.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Health

Ancient herb known as ‘nature’s Valium’ touted for improving sleep and anxiety

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

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Ancient herb known as ‘nature’s Valium’ touted for improving sleep and anxiety

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Valerian, an herbal supplement long used for sleep and relaxation, has been referred to as “nature’s Valium” — but experts are divided on whether it truly compares to the prescription sedative.

The herb, which is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., is a common ingredient in products marketed as “mild sedatives” and sleep aids, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Valium, the brand name for diazepam, is used to treat anxiety, seizures and muscle spasms by calming the nervous system, Cleveland Clinic notes.

Valerian supplements are derived from the roots of Valeriana officinalis, a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia that has also naturalized in northeastern America, according to the American Botanical Council (ABC).

The plant has a “long history of medicinal use,” per the ABC, with the primary goal of reducing anxiety and stress as well as improving sleep quality. It has historically also been used for migraines, fatigue and stomach cramps.

Valerian has historically been used for migraines, fatigue and stomach cramps. (iStock)

Dried valerian roots can be prepared as teas or tinctures, while other plant materials and extracts have been distributed as capsules or tablets, per the NIH.

The agency noted, however, that there is a “relatively small amount of research” investigating the herb’s impact on various conditions.

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However, Stefan Gafner, Ph.D., chief science officer of the American Botanical Council in Texas, confirmed that some clinical trials have explored valerian root’s effects.

A 2020 medical review published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that both powdered root and root extracts show a “clear” benefit in treating anxiety, Gafner told Fox News Digital.

Valerian root and other parts of the plant can be prepared as teas, extracts, capsules and tablets. (iStock)

The researchers concluded that valerian could be a “safe and effective herb to promote sleep and prevent associated disorders.”

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While valerian may have some benefits, Gafner said he doesn’t think it “makes sense” to compare it to diazepam (Valium).

“I can understand that both are used to relieve anxiety, but valerian is a much milder ingredient, and is really used for mild cases of anxiety and sleep issues,” he told Fox News Digital.

Some valerian users have reported improved sleep and reduced anxiety, according to recent research. (iStock)

Unlike valerian, diazepam carries a risk of dependence and is generally prescribed short-term, the expert said, and the spectrum of potential adverse effects is “very different.”

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Gafner said he “absolutely” recommends the use of valerian root to relieve anxiety and stress and to improve sleep.

“I have used it myself and I believe it’s an ingredient with well-documented benefits, especially for people with problems falling asleep,” he said. “It is well-tolerated and very safe… although some sources caution [against] driving a car or using heavy machinery when using valerian.”

Valeriana officinalis, a herbal plant used as a mild sedative, in bloom. (iStock)

Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician and author of the new book “Weight Loss Cure,” said valerian’s comparisons to Valium may “exaggerate what the science actually shows.”

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“Valerian root contains compounds that appear to enhance calming brain chemicals, particularly the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps quiet nerve activity and supports relaxation,” the Florida-based expert told Fox News Digital.

“Some studies do report modest improvements in sleep quality or shorter time to fall asleep, while others find no meaningful difference compared with placebo.”

Valerian supplementation may not be right for everyone seeking better sleep, one doctor said. (iStock)

Side effects may include headaches, dizziness, digestive upset or next-day grogginess, Mercola noted, adding that he would not recommend it as a primary strategy for anxiety, stress or sleep.

“Because long-term safety studies remain limited, and supplement quality varies widely, you should approach valerian with caution rather than view it as a universal sleep solution,” he advised.

“You should approach valerian with caution rather than view it as a universal sleep solution.”

“I encourage people to focus first on strategies that correct the underlying drivers of poor sleep,” Mercola advised. “When you fix those foundations, you often find that you no longer need an herbal sedative at all.”

“I encourage people to focus first on strategies that correct the underlying drivers of poor sleep,” one doctor advised. (iStock)

“Bright sunlight during the day helps regulate your circadian rhythm and signals your brain to produce melatonin later at night,” he said. “At the same time, complete darkness [at night] supports the hormonal signals that allow deep, restorative sleep.”

Certain nutrients can also promote relaxation and sleep quality, including magnesium, which helps to regulate the nervous system, according to the doctor.

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GABA may help to calm nerve activity, reduce stress markers and improve perceived sleep quality, Mercola said, while glycine — taken at about 3 grams an hour before bed — may support relaxation, promote the body’s nighttime temperature drop, and improve sleep onset and overall quality.

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“When you combine sunlight exposure, magnesium, GABA and glycine, you support the biological systems that control sleep instead of relying on a sedating herb with mixed evidence,” the doctor concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to valerian root manufacturers requesting comment.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.