The mass consumption of social media present in today’s society has detrimental effects on mental health.

People flock to social media to feel a sense of belonging. They post content with the goal of receiving positive feedback. Social media is often used to find a sense of validation people don’t get in real life.

Due to its easy access, social media becomes like a drug users become addicted to. According to Middle Georgia State University, the dopamine rush from the instant gratification social media gives becomes addictive much like cigarettes and drugs. When this mass consumption becomes an addiction, it can cause mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

Not only can overconsumption have psychological effects, but physical ones, too. The McLean Hospital said physical symptoms may include nausea, headaches, muscle tension, and tremors. These symptoms are usually the results of the poor psychological effects deriving from social media.

Feeling social isolation is another consequence of social media. Often, sites like Instagram and Facebook highlight the highs of users’ lives. Rarely do people post the low parts. This leads to constant comparisons between consumers and the content creators they follow. Forbes cited a study by the Guilford Journals, which said that these comparisons mostly fall in “upward” or “downward” directions. In other words, people either feel they are better or worse than those they follow. Both of these comparisons have been shown to cause depressive symptoms.

The increase in adolescent eating disorders is likely partly due to social media. The media tends to idolize certain body types and constantly consuming this idealization can impact body image. The National Library of Medicine said body concerns in girls under eighteen years of age reveal the main factor contributing to the desire to be thin, was social media. Watching creators display their “perfect” bodies and vlogging workouts and food logs, enforces the idea in girls’ minds that they aren’t doing enough to be thin, resulting in eating disorders.

Consuming social media at an excessive rate puts consumers at higher risk for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even suicidal thoughts. The University of Pennsylvania found that significantly reducing social media use strongly decreases poor mental health symptoms.

It’s time to put your phones down, focus on real-life relationships and interactions, and limit social media usage if you want to reverse or prevent these harmful psychological effects. For ideas on how to pull away from social media, visit Bustle’s 7 Ways To Stop Your Social Media Addiction.