The psychologist spoke about the impact of cinema on the psyche and anxiety levels.

Clinical psychologist, CBT therapist Anastasia Helemelya explained to Izvestia on June 22 why watching movies can affect a person's psychoemotional state, but it cannot be considered as a full-fledged alternative to psychotherapy.

According to the expert, cinema can rather be attributed to the elements of "therapeutic hygiene", since there is no feedback from the therapist and work with unconscious processes in the process.

"The relaxing effect of watching is associated with several mechanisms at once. Darkness, immobility and limitation of external stimuli create the effect of sensory deprivation, in which the activity of the prefrontal cortex decreases and the brain goes into a calmer state. An additional role is played by the so—called narrative transport - the viewer is emotionally involved in the plot, identifies with the characters and safely lives their experiences. Also, in the cinema, emotional reactions and breathing are synchronized with other people, which activates a sense of group security," she explained.

Separately, the psychologist commented on the impact of not using a smartphone while watching. According to her, the absence of gadgets, even for a short time, can cause discomfort, because the brain is used to receiving frequent "dopamine" stimuli through scrolling. As a result, a condition similar to withdrawal syndrome occurs, and the feeling of difficulty in being alone with oneself without external stimuli increases.

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Speaking about the effect of cinema on anxiety, Helemela stressed that the effect depends on the content. Films with a clear structure and causal relationships can reduce anxiety levels, as they bring back a sense of predictability. However, scenes of violence or intense emotional stress can, on the contrary, increase anxiety and lead to overload, especially with high initial sensitivity.

According to her, the choice of genre also matters: comedies and dynamic films help with stress, dramas and slow motion films help with apathy and emotional crises, and documentaries about nature can help reduce anxiety through soothing visuals.

The psychologist also noted the key difference between cinema and endless scrolling: the film has a complete structure with a beginning and an end, which allows the brain to get a sense of completed experience. While social media feeds form incomplete information cycles, which can lead to cognitive fatigue and a feeling of emptiness.

In conclusion, Helemela emphasized that cinema can be considered as a form of "meditation with a plot," but it is effective mainly in information overload and does not replace professional psychological help.

Anastasia Anikina, a psychologist and relationship specialist, told Izvestia on June 16 about "glued emotions" in modern people. The specialist identified a number of signs of "glued emotions": difficulties accepting praise, guilt after success, anxiety in moments of happiness, the desire to hide achievements and the feeling that rest must be earned. All this suggests that it is difficult for a person to fully afford joy.