The downside of giving up social networks has been revealed: you are left without emotions

Taking a break from using social networks can have both positive and negative effects. According to a new study, using social media may not be truly addictive for most people, but at the same time, withdrawing from the information flow can cause a worsening mood. However, some scientists were skeptical about this conclusion.

Researchers from Durham University in the UK wanted to understand the effects of a week-long break from social media use—whether the “detox” improved overall well-being and mood or caused withdrawal-like symptoms in those who stopped using illicit substances and alcohol. Previous research has shown that excessive social media use is associated with increased levels of depression and anxiety.

“Social media use is associated with the onset or worsening of a variety of mental health symptoms. Research shows it can disrupt sleep and increase stress levels and symptoms of depression,” family therapist Nyla Warren previously told Fortune.

The social study involved 51 people aged 18 to 25 who reported using at least one social media app every day and spending between 30 minutes and 9 hours on their phone. All participants agreed to abstain from social media for one week and answer a set of daily questions assessing their mental health and feelings about it.

“What we see on social media is different from drugs, where you would expect cravings or impulsive decisions. We should not overly pathologize normal behavior,” notes one of the authors, psychologist Nicholas Issen.

With the exception of a few minor relapses, participants had no problems quitting social media. 86.5 percent of participants “died” for a week to the Internet. Most participants reduced their use from an average of three and a half hours to thirty-five minutes per day. And although the time spent consuming content increased again after the end of the study, people still spent about an hour less on social media. That suggests even such a short break could be a starting point for people wanting to cut back on information flow, some experts say, although the mental health implications remain uncertain.

According to daily surveys, participants noticed a decrease in negative emotions, but also a deterioration in the production of positive emotions. Various cognitive tests that measured social media use indicated little change after the experiment. In other words, the study found that people with a week-long break experienced less emotion.

“Future research should determine whether withdrawal from social media is actually psychologically characterized by a reduction in positive and negative emotions and how it could potentially explain the lack of impact on a person’s well-being,” said Nicholas Issen.

Science magazine recalls that social media is often compared to alcohol or other addictive substances, a theory common in both academic circles and popular culture. The researchers expected that abstinence would be accompanied by symptoms of voluntary withdrawal. But that’s not exactly what happened: not only were the emotional changes mixed, but the week-long break didn’t lead to cravings like those that can occur when quitting other types of addiction.

The results may be consistent with the hypothesis that moderate amounts of social media use may be beneficial for mental well-being, co-author psychologist Michael Wadsley acknowledged.

This is because social media content can trigger feelings such as fear of missing out or comparing yourself to others who seem to be doing better. “Overall, the present study suggests that abstaining from or reducing social media use for one week is not associated with any significant effects on affective or motivational responses,” the researchers concluded.

However, some of their colleagues were skeptical about the results of the work of British scientists. “One week is not enough time to see consistent or meaningful changes in participant well-being. And 51 people are not enough to get reliable results,” said Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University.

And Ghent University communications specialist Mariek Vanden Abeele notes that “this is a really well-done study. What do we see in this study? Quitting social media doesn’t actually work very well.” She also added that social media can be compared to food: “You need food to survive, but the quantity and quality of what you eat really matters.” Likewise, she said, people are often addicted to mindlessly surfing the Internet for social contact, but it’s easy to overdo it because “it’s a vice, but it’s like chocolate chip cookies.” So, the expert believes, the main thing is to observe moderation.