I predict that the epidemic of suffering from intrusive thoughts is going to increase in our world due to the prevalence of social media and mass manipulation of the human mind by big data collectors. We know that the human mind with its exclusive use of our specialized brains equipped with hyper functionality of the prefrontal cortex that managers  executive executive functioning leads to an over abundance of thoughts. Perhaps in  evolutionary terms, this is present to solve complex human problems and enhance survival. In our modern world, however, most of our thoughts seem useless and focused on gossip, backbiting, catastrophizIng and predicting outcomes that might not even be there.

Instead of collectively approaching our societal problems  in a unified manner to address prejudice, climate change, wars, and food shortages, we are bombarded with passing media-based events that capture our attention consciously or unconsciously. Much of this is also manipulated by marketers for sales pitches and increasing impulse consumption of unnecessary goods. Pornography of sex and violence also lead to strengthening of the neuronal connections between our executive functioning and more basic emotional limbic attachments that only fortify this process. The result is the popping up of all kinds of transient, unnecessary, anxiety provoking fear-based thoughts that lead to excessive worry, anxiety depression. Mixed with substance abuse, this can lead to psychosis and loss of touch with reality. 

It is time to reexamine this phenomenon! Just as the medieval‘s needed to look at physical hygiene, we moderns need to take a look at our mental and spiritual hygiene. Flooding our minds and brains with thoughts that elevate the world of humanity is the only solution going forward. It's time to reconnect to the spiritual traditions of our world, which  have provided many mediums for cultivation of healthy mental habits.