# Infomania 2x Worse for Your IQ than Marijuana By Hima | Published 2006-11-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infomania-worse-than-marijuana References: [news.bbc](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4471607.stm) [BBC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manhattan-s4r-freesat-4k-tv-recorder) news says that, "Workers distracted by email and phone calls suffer a fall in IQ more than twice that found in marijuana smokers, new research has claimed. The study for computing firm [Hewlett Packard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/riot-games-6) warned of a rise in "infomania", with people becoming [addicted to email and text messages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-dependency). Researchers found 62% of people checked work messages at home or on holiday. The firm said new technology can help productivity, but users must learn to switch computers and phones off." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Digital Detox:** With the rise of infomania, a trend towards digital detox is emerging as people seek to disconnect from technology and prioritize productivity. - **Work-life Balance:** As more people check work messages outside of working hours, companies should focus on implementing work-life balance policies to prevent burnout and improve productivity. - **AI-powered Time Management:** The increasing prevalence of infomania creates potential for AI-powered solutions to manage time and streamline information, enhancing productivity and reducing distraction. ### Who This Affects Most - **Technology:** As Hewlett Packard suggests, new technology can help productivity and there is potential for innovation in the development of tools and apps designed to boost productivity and reduce infomania. - **Health and Wellness:** As infomania becomes more prevalent, the health and wellness industry may see an opportunity to promote various services, products, and programs designed to help individuals focus and facilitate wellbeing. - **HR and Management:** As infomania continues to disrupt productivity, HR and management professionals should prioritize training and policies that promote attentiveness, focus and productivity in the workplace. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Phone Breakup Newsletters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reclaim-your-brain.md) - [Addiction-Conscious Social Media Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betimeful.md) - [Brain Training Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brainblink-brainblink.md) - [Work-Life Balance Inbox Enforcers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inbox-pause.md) - [Mindful Low-Tech Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mudita-kompakt.md) - [Distraction-Minimizing Work Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/focus-firewall.md) - [Anti-Distraction Smartphone Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jolt-app.md) - [Distraction-Detecting AI Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/focusin-ai.md) - [Distraction Control Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/distraction-control.md)