The Economic Times

Psychology says taking your phone to the bathroom may reveal more than boredom: The hidden link between stress, dopamine, and why your brain avoids silence

Psychology does not suggest that everyone who brings a phone into the bathroom has an unhealthy habit or underlying issue. Human behavior is far more nuanced than such simple conclusions. Research indicates that smartphone use in these moments can be shaped by dopamine-based reward systems, stress relief, feelings of loneliness, avoidance coping strategies, fear of missing out (FOMO), and an increasing tendency to seek constant stimulation rather than sit with silence.