What is the Origin of Mental Friction?

This is a metaphoric term, borrowing "friction" from physics, where it denotes resistance to motion, and applying it to the mental domain. It is a modern concept used in productivity and cognitive psychology to describe the subjective barrier to mental work.

What is the Mechanism of Mental Friction?

The underlying mechanism is often traced to dysregulation within the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for executive functions, which is highly dependent on a balanced supply of key neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Hormones, particularly thyroid and sex steroids, modulate the sensitivity of these neurotransmitter systems. Chronic stress leading to elevated cortisol can deplete these resources, increasing the perceived mental effort and contributing significantly to cognitive drag.

Mental Friction

Meaning

Mental Friction is a descriptive term for the subjective experience of cognitive resistance, inefficiency, or excessive effort required to initiate, sustain, or switch between complex mental tasks. This state is often rooted in underlying neurochemical imbalances, chronic stress, or suboptimal hormonal status that affect executive function and processing speed. Clinically, minimizing mental friction is a goal in wellness protocols aimed at enhancing cognitive clarity, focus, and productivity.