Marian Rojas Estapé, one of Spain's most popular psychiatrists, made her debut appearance on the hit show El Hormiguero on February 11, 2025, captivating audiences with her insights on mental health and the impact of social media on our lives. Rojas Estapé, renowned for her clear and relatable discussions about complex human issues, spoke about her latest book, Recupera tu mente. Reconquista tu vida, shedding light on the psychological challenges of modern technology.
During the episode, host Pablo Motos expressed his excitement about having Rojas Estapé on the show, noting the rarity of having someone with her expertise. "Todo el mundo no se puede pagar una terapia, pero podemos hacer hoy una terapia gratuita," Motos declared, setting the stage for what would be both enlightening and entertaining. The conversation quickly turned when Rojas Estapé surprised Motos with the question, "¿Has ido a terapia?" to which he responded, admitting he has not but was advised to do so.
Rojas Estapé did not shy away from highlighting the current state of society. She noted, "Todos tenemos los mismos síntomas. Toleramos menos el dolor, el sufrimiento, aburrimiento. Tenemos peor tolerancia..." which emphasized how social media has eroded basic emotional resilience. Throughout the program, she shared her concerns about the negative influence of constant digital distractions on our ability to empathize and concentrate.
Rojas Estapé's insights extended to the neuroscientific aspects of human behavior, particularly the role of dopamine—the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. "Es la sustancia del placer y tiene que ver con la supervivencia..." she explained, highlighting how the digital age modifies our brain's reward systems. This leads to addiction-like behaviors toward technology and social media, which she described as the new form of 'drug' entry via our eyes and screens.
Engaging with the audience, Rojas Estapé also analyzed everyday instances of distraction, stating, "Incluso cuando no tenemos distracciones, nos 'autodistraemos'." This statement bridged the disconnect many feel between their daily experiences of technology and the resulting mental fatigue, calling it a crisis of attention. She argued passionately for the need to combat this desensitization by actively seeking activities and moments of calm—including the occasional boredom to stimulate creativity and reflection.
Her visit was not only well-received by audiences but led El Hormiguero to achieve impressive ratings, garnering 15.6% audience share with over 2.083 million viewers, making it the most-watched program of the night, significantly outpacing its competitors.
Marian Rojas Estapé’s advice and insights were emphasized through her fervent reminder: "Necesitamos saber qué es aquello que nos desgasta y aquello que nos recarga para aplicarlos." She reminded viewers to engage with life positively by engaging with healthy relationships, physical activity, and moments of undistracted contemplation.
The episode concluded with reflections on the reality of living under constant stimulation and the importance of addressing these pervasive issues, emphasizing self-awareness and advocating for mental health resources.