Video games can improve reaction time, attention and short-term memory in older adults, research shows.
But don’t expect every game to offer all of these benefits. Any single game usually exercises a narrow set of skills.
“So if the game forces you to have quick responses, it can make it easier to respond quickly,” says Sarah Lenz Lock, senior vice president of policy at AARP and executive director of the Global Council on Brain Health. “The more you play, the better you get at this skill. Players who play games like Speed Racer have seen a positive advantage in driving skills. »
Likewise, a game in which you navigate strange mazes or jungles in digital space can help improve your ability to navigate your everyday environment.
“I describe it as when you start getting a new job and you have to learn new roads – you use your hippocampus to navigate them,” says Greg West, researcher and professor of psychology at the University of Montreal. “We think something similar is happening in these 3D platform games, like Super Mario 64.”
A creative boost
Video games might even make you more creative. In one study, those who played Minecraft, which lets you create environments, performed better in creative tasks than those who played a driving game or watched TV.
“The question becomes, what would happen in the long run if you keep playing games where you get creative?” says Douglas Gentile, study author and professor of psychology at Iowa State University. “If you practice creativity, you should become more creative.”
keep in mind
Video games are designed to keep you in front of the screen. “If you’re doing it at the expense of other things that are good for you, like exercise, that’s a really bad idea,” Lock says. “You are doing yourself more harm than good.”
And don’t think of video games as a miracle preventative against general brain decline or dementia.
“Video games are all about training your brain in specific ways,” says Lock. Just because a game can improve your spatial memory, for example, doesn’t “mean you’re better at managing your financial affairs.”
Why are video games good for your health?
Video games can increase your brain’s gray matter. Studies have shown that playing video games regularly can increase gray matter in the brain and boost brain connectivity. (Gray matter is associated with muscle control, memories, perception, and spatial navigation.)
Do video games affect BP?
Sedentary behaviors such as playing video games, using computers and watching television have been associated with an increased risk of obesity1 and increased blood pressure (BP). Video games and television have also been associated with increased energy intake.
Are video games good for students?
Some games can improve children’s hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills. … Other games have no such benefits, and violent video games have been shown to increase aggressive behavior in children. Like many aspects of parenting, when it comes to video games, the healthiest approach is moderation.
Are video games bad for your heart?
Studies on the health risks of video gaming have linked seizures, psychological disorders, and other health problems with gaming. The study reported here measured changes in blood pressure and heart rate that occurred in 23 young men when they played a video game.
Why are video games good for your brain?
The positive effects of video games are numerous, ranging from better memory and problem solving to improved mood and social skills. While those who don’t play video games may claim that they make you lazy, harm your brain, or ruin your social life, video games actually have many physical, cognitive, and social benefits.
Do video games increase intelligence?
A study by Gnambs et al. found that while playing video games may have minimal impact on academic performance, they do not affect a child’s intelligence. According to some preliminary research, strategy games may increase brain function in older adults and possibly even protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Are video games good or bad?
It’s true that some studies have shown that certain video games can improve hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and the mind’s ability to process information. But too many video games can cause problems. …And children who play violent video games might act more aggressively.
Do video games improve the brain?
A number of studies have shown how playing video games can lead to structural changes in the brain, including increases in the size of certain regions, or functional changes, such as activation of areas responsible for brain function. attention or visual-spatial skills.
Do video games kill brain cells?
Recent medical studies indicate that violent video games permanently damage the brain. Video games can be more dangerous to your health than cigarettes or alcohol. Studies show that repeatedly playing violent video games minimizes brain activities involved in reasoning and planning.
Is gambling good for your mental health?
The researchers find that actual time spent gambling was a small but significant positive factor for people’s well-being. Playing video games can be good for your mental health, new research suggests.
Is gambling bad for your eyes?
While one hour of play can be beneficial, three or more hours at a time will lose those benefits. In addition to increasing the risk of computer eye syndrome, excessive use of video games can cause eye discomfort, focusing problems, blurred vision, and headaches.
How playing video games affects your body and brain?
Studies have shown that puzzle video games can reduce stress and improve mood. According to research from the American Psychological Association, games can elicit a range of emotions, both positive and negative – including satisfaction, relaxation, frustration and anger.
What are the side effects of playing video games for too long?
“The consequences of video game addiction can manifest in many ways, including wrist, neck and elbow pain, skin blisters, calluses and trouble sleeping. Long-term addiction could lead to obesity, weakness or numbness in the hands (peripheral neuropathy) and even blood clots,” says Dr. Moberg.
What are the negative effects of video games?
Here are ten negative effects of video games:
- Dopamine addiction.
- Reduced motivation.
- Alexithymia and emotional suppression.
- Repetitive stress injuries and other health risks.
- Poor mental health.
- Relationship problems.
- Social disconnect.
- Exposure to toxic play environments.
How do video games affect people’s lives?
Studies show that playing video games can change our brain’s performance and even its structure. For example, playing video games affects our attention, and some studies have shown that gamers show improvements in several types of attention, such as sustained attention or selective attention.
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