MIT neuroscientists reveal an unexpected benefit of 'zoning out'

We’ve all had times during the day where we just zoned out — whether it was during class, a work meeting, or even walking on the street. A study from MIT published by MIT News revealed that this brief period, where the mind drifts off into wonderland, actually has a solid impact on the brain. The study noted that zoning out often occurs because our brains are exhausted or sleep-deprived. It has cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) temporarily withdraw from the brain before pooling back in, which is actually necessary for regulation and healthy functioning — acting as a sort of garbage disposal system, flushing out metabolic waste. Released on January 5, Mitchell Moffit's video takes us through the process.

"If you look at the brain of somebody about to zone out, 12 seconds before it happens, we see a specific brain signal, but it's when their attention finally wanes that something spectacular happens to the brain," Moffit begins. As a person completely zones out, a wave of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows out of the brain. This is the same fluid that also flows when we’re sound asleep to help wash away all the buildup in the brain. This buildup can be responsible for Alzheimer's later on, Inc. revealed. So, in simple terms, the refreshment we feel is because we get a reset after a good sleep, and that is due to the fluids flushing out toxins. When you zone out, these very same fluids come into play, breaking down the waste and overwhelming buildup inside the brain. Referring to our sleep cycles, Moffit says, "Your brain goes from light sleep to deep sleep to REM sleep, where you dream. But this deep sleep section is super important for cleaning out your brain." And that's what "zoning out" apparently mimics. Imagine your exhausted self finding quick refreshment because you zoned out. Thrilling, isn’t it? Laura Lewis, a member of MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, explained how it’s a give-and-take process.

She and her team conducted a study on 26 volunteers, out of which a few were well-rested, and others were sleep-deprived. Those who slept well seemed to zone out less than the other group. However, it was noted during the study that when the group zoned out, the brain activity shifted, and there was a release of the CSF. “If you don’t sleep, the CSF waves start to intrude into wakefulness, where normally you wouldn’t see them. However, they come with an attentional tradeoff, where attention fails during the moments that you have this wave of fluid flow,” she revealed. In short, because you lose your attention for a bit, it’s not that you’re absent-minded or careless. It’s just that your brain is taking a minute to restore your cognitive functioning. "Ironically, while these lapses in attention can be super dangerous if paired with driving or other important activities, they're actually the brain's way of trying to take care of and protect itself from the negative impacts of sleep deprivation," Moffit reveals.

Anna-Lisa Cohen, Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University in New York City, revealed that though the world views zoning out as "unproductive," it’s actually unlocking the better potential of your brain, Psychology Today revealed. She noted how drifting off — even if it’s imagining your wedding or thinking of a meal at home- works like a mental exercise to regulate the functioning of the brain. Moreover, taking yourself away for a moment helps repurpose and come back better to the concept or present task with a clear perspective. It pushes out the blockage and tight angle you’re heavily focused on and introduces new and creative approaches that were hidden far in a corner because you were so bland and exhausted. So the next time you find yourself in the abyss of the subconscious, just let your thoughts flow.

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