SAN ANTONIO — We don't all agree on the same shows or streaming services, but most folks are familiar with this scenario: You're spread out on the couch, remote in one hand, chips of choice in the other, watching yet another episode of your favorite TV show.
The streaming service Netflix defines binge watching as consecutively consuming two or more episodes of the same show. They key binge-watching statistic: Approximately 75% of Americans admit they regularly do it.
Colton Barham and Karla Aguilar are two of them.
"By the time I look down at my watch and see four hours have passed, I'm in shock," Aguilar said.
Barham said he's also familiar with the feeling.
"It definitely makes me feel lazy, but sometimes you need to recharge," he said.
While watching TV all day may feel relaxing, especially when you've got no other priorities, watching hours of your favorite show could have harmful effects long after the screen fades to black.
Dr. Leroy Galvez of Baptist Health System warned about dangers that are rooted within the brain.
"You're isolated, withdrawn," he said. "The more you engage, the more you can become addicted."
An addiction to the television is no different from an addiction to drugs, he warned.
Binge watchers could experience physical problems too. One's eyes may become tired, or they could experience difficulty sleeping.
"You're not going to get restorative sleep because of the blue light on screens," he said.
Galvez also said research shows binge-watching television could be indicative of a larger health issue.
"The sedentary lifestyle becomes the norm," he said. "You're going to get visceral fat, which is the worst kind of fat."
Other than a tight waistline, that sedentary lifestyle could lead to an increased chance of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular events like heart attacks and cancer.
In a worst-case scenario, it may lead to blood clots.
"If you're laying on a couch for long periods of time, your chances of having a deep vein thrombosis or clot are very high. It can go to your lungs or brain, and cause a stroke," he said.
With so much at stake, why can't folks stop watching? Ask any binge watcher, and they'll tell you they don't have any control over the remote control.
"It's dangerous because," Barham said. "Facebook has done it too, where they start the next video without your consent."
If viewers can regain control over how much they're watching, Galvez said sitting in front of the television isn't anything to go to the doctor about.
One way to win back that control is to take breaks in between shows. Galvez also said the cliche "strength in numbers" can apply.
"The TV show requires you to become passive, have passive brainwaves. But having someone next to you is going to take away those passive brainwaves," he said. "Now this attention needs to be paid attention to the person next to you."
In other words, sharing a show with a friend could be the secret to a successful binge.