In such a technology-driven age, it has grown easy for smartphone owners to Google a question without thinking about a possible answer beforehand. The truth is that this has resulted in a new plague of laziness. Fortunately, smart device junkies are not all to blame.

Studies are showing that smartphones are making our brains lazier than ever. Research shows that people that rely on their gut instincts when making decisions are more inclined to resort to a search engine for answers. These instinctive thinkers have been proven to utilize their phones more than logical thinkers.

“They may look up information that they actually know or could easily learn, but are unwilling to make the effort to actually think about it,” said  Gordon Pennycook, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Psychology at Waterloo.

Additional research confirms that these brain-chokers may also be damaging the emotional and physical well-being of their owners. Smartphones deteriorate hearing, proper posture, the quality of sleep, and carry more germs than a doorknob.

To extricate oneself from this LED madness, try turning the phone off an hour before bed, eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (kiwi, salmon), and exercise daily.