Late-Night TV Binges Could Sabotage Your Brain Health, Expert Warns

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there—glued to the couch, promising ourselves "just one more episode" as the clock ticks closer to midnight. Whether it’s the latest drama on a reality show or a gripping series finale, the temptation to keep watching is real. But here’s the harsh truth: your late-night TV binges might be doing more than just making you yawn the next day. According to brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics in California, these habits could be sabotaging your brain.

Dr. Amen warns that sacrificing sleep for screen time—say, cutting out 30 minutes or an hour to catch the end of a show—means your brain doesn’t get the chance to properly reset. "When you sleep, your brain cleans and washes itself," he explains. Skimp on shut-eye, and you’re setting yourself up for foggy thinking, poor decisions, and even memory lapses the next day. His advice? If you’ve pulled an all-nighter with your favorite show, don’t make any big calls the following day—your brain just isn’t up to par.

But it’s not just about the lost hours. The blue light from screens messes with your melatonin levels, tricking your body into staying awake when it should be winding down. Add in the endless scrolling or the fear of missing out on social chatter about the latest plot twist, and you’ve got a recipe for stress on top of sleeplessness. Dr. Amen suggests a simple fix: use blue-light blockers on your devices after sunset to help ease your mind into rest mode.

At the heart of his message is a call to prioritize sleep for better energy, focus, and even blood flow to the brain. "If you want a sharper memory tomorrow, go to bed half an hour earlier tonight," he urges. After all, in the age of streaming and recordings, there’s no real excuse to miss out—you can always catch up later. It’s not about deprivation, but about choosing abundance: a healthier, more vibrant you. So, next time the remote beckons after 10 p.m., ask yourself: do I love myself enough to hit the off button?