A clear, honest answer based on what the research suggests, how the loop builds, and the simplest way to step out of it.
Yes, it can contribute. Research links heavy, passive scrolling of negative content with higher stress and poorer sleep, and both of those can feed anxiety. It is rarely the only cause of anxiety, and this page is not medical advice. But for a lot of people, doomscrolling pours fuel on a fire that was already smoldering, especially late at night.
The good news in that is simple. If a habit is making things worse, changing the habit can make things a little better, and that part is in your hands.
Three things stack on top of each other:
Each loop makes the next one easier to fall into. That is why it can feel like it builds.
You do not need to swear off your phone. You need to interrupt the loop at the moment it starts. Catch the reach for the feed, take one slow breath to settle your body, the long exhale is the fastest calming lever you have, and turn to something better instead.
Anása, Greek for breath, is built to do exactly this. It steps in when you open a feed, offers a single breath and a better path, and protects your wind-down at night, the time doomscrolling does the most harm. It never shames you, and everything stays on your phone.
It can contribute. Heavy, passive scrolling of negative content is linked with higher stress and poorer sleep, both of which can feed anxiety. It is rarely the only cause, but it can make things worse.
You are tired, your guard is down, and the scroll steals the rest that would have reset you. See how to stop doomscrolling at night.
It is not a cure, and if anxiety is weighing on you, please reach out to someone you trust or a professional. But removing a habit that makes it worse is a real, doable step.
One slow breath with a long exhale settles your body fast, then turn to a better path. Read what to do instead.
Free on iPhone and Android. Everything stays on your phone.