Video games provide a fun escape from reality; though, they're often portrayed as violent,
lazy and a waste of time by some. The debate has raged on for years - So are there any
positive effects? Can video games actually make you smarter?
Video games provide a fun escape from reality; though, they're often portrayed as violent,
broccoli. Seriously, extremely high doses broccoli can actually be toxic. Heck even
water toxicity exist. So if you binge and do nothing but play video games, the risks
probably outweigh any benefits. In fact, we have an entire video devoted to what would
happen if you stopped going outside, and the negative effects of sitting - link in the
description!
Having said that, many studies have actually shown increases in cognitive function after
playing video games. One study in particular had participants play Super Mario 64 for 30
minutes a day over 2 months. Afterwards, the brains of these participants saw an increase
of grey matter in areas associated with memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills
of the hands, compared to those who had not played. These are particularly encouraging
results for mental disorders which cause these brain regions to shrink; using video games
as a therapy.
Surprisingly, action games can also increase attention to detail in individuals. Take a
look at the following words on screen, and yell out what colour the word is as fast as
you can! So: green, blue, orange. Ok, now try a bit faster without me. As we continue,
it becomes more difficult because there is a conflict between the word itself and its
colour. Chances are, if you play more than 5-10 hours of action games a week, you're
able to solve these problems much more quickly. This is because your brain is actually more
efficient in the regions associated with attention.
Of course, video games can also be incredibly educational! And while you may not be playing
some of your favourite games for this purpose, there are certainly many games that are used
as effective teaching tools for both young and old.
They may even help kids who suffer from dyslexia read more effectively. In a small study, dyslexic
children who played regular video games ended up reading faster and more accurately - once
again relating to improved attention skills. Meanwhile, other studies have found improvements
in eyesight. Not only can they see smaller details more clearly, like tiny writing, but
they have an easier time differentiating levels of grey. Very practiced action gamers were
58% better at perceiving fine differences in contrast. Which is important as this is
one of the first things to diminish with age.
Even in the elderly, improved memory and focus is seen. More importantly, specially designed
brain teasing video games have been shown to slow the aging process of the brain by
up to seven years. This is because they are cognitively complex and require mental energy!
Think you're able to keep track of what's in front of your eyes? Keep an eye on the
blue circle here. Eventually it will turn yellow like all the others. I will then point
to a circle, and you tell me if it was originally blue. If you knew this ball wasn't blue, then
you're a functioning human being. But lets make it harder. Staring at the middle of the
screen can help to keep track of the blue circles. Was this circle originally blue?
If you said no, you'd be right. One more time, but with 5 blue circles. Was this one originally
blue? Yup - it was. It turns out, the average person can track about 3-4 objects, while
a practiced action gamer can track around 6-7.
Finally, as technology continues to transform medicine, surgeries are being completed with
the insertion of cameras and remote controlled tools. And these surgeries have very clear
parallels to video games, with a screen and controlling device. Not surprisingly, young
doctors with previous exposure to video games show fewer errors and faster completion than
those without.
Of course, all of these skills are only useful if you use them; which you can't if all you
do is play video games. So enjoy your down time and relax with your games in moderation,
but get out there and keep your life diverse as well. Because that's how you'll win at
the game of life.
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