(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/30/2024) If you were looking for a reason to not watch Tuesday night's vice-presidential debate, some Michigan State University experts may have your alibi. 

Watching the matchup between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz could be hazardous to your mental health. 

The human brain has a limited capacity to process information. So, what ends up grabbing our attention is either surprising, emotionally and/or morally charged or something that reinforces what we already believe about certain groups, said MSU assistant professor of communications Jacob T. Fisher. 

"This can lead to phenomena like 'doomscrolling' -- compulsively seeking out and consuming negative news -- a behavior which can impact our mental health and overall worldview," Fisher said.  

Along those same lines comes Mark Brandt of the MSU Department of Psychology, who said when politics are on people's minds, they express more dislike of opposing partisans than they have in years past. 

When they run into political information or opinions they disagree with, it's more likely to be tinged with animosity, he said. The more controversial subjects come up, the more stressful and angrier someone will get. 

"This stress and negativity surrounding politics has negative effects on people's mental health," Brandt said. "Although it is possible to downplay these negative political emotions, research finds that when people do this, they are less likely to engage in politics." 

And, to top it off, Dustin Carnahan, associate professor in the Department of Communication, said most people who watch debates already have their minds up on their election choices, anyway. The debate is nothing more than a spectator sport to see how their preferred candidate performs.