A rare longitudinal (follow-up) study of more than six months shows that selenium can reduce learning ability.

In another study, German scientists found that chatting online can damage working memory. Working memory is the ability to get information when you finish or solve problems. For example, it is your ability to deal with different kinds of information when solving a math problem, or your ability to keep a clear head when reading a story. It helps you to keep your goals in mind, resist interference and restrain impulsive choices, so it is very important for your learning and planning ability.

A series of studies have found that clues related to addiction can reduce working memory. Interestingly, during the one-month training to improve working memory, alcohol addicts reduced their drinking and improved their working memory. In other words, improving working memory seems to strengthen the ability of restraint.