system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
How do you not fall down the rabbit hole when reading research papers?

First year doctoral student here. I find that when I'm reading research papers on topics that interest me, I'm compiling a never-ending list of other studies referenced within the original paper that also pique my interest and seem related to my topic of study.

What methods do you all employ to ensure that you can be surgical about what you spend your time reading/studying?

Or am I being naive and this is now my life for the next few years? I have a feeling that is the case :)

Any advice you have would be awesome. I appreciate your time!

Edit: you all are amazing. I truly appreciate the responses and positivity. Great ideas all throughout.
gpt
Laziness, and a desire to play games. 

But really, this doesn't seem like a bad thing. So long as you can get your work done on time, and it stays relatively focused on your topic, this seems like a pretty good habit to have.