Researchers say video games can be beneficial to the brain

When people think of video games, people usually think of violence or laziness. However, there is more going on in a gamer’s brain. From psychology to neurology, scientists and doctors in a number of fields claim that video games can be beneficial in more ways that one. Cognitive skills like spatial navigation and reasoning skills, as well as learning, can be improved and can even help people with mental health issues.

There are many studies that show an increase in cognitive function after playing video games. One study had participants play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over the course of two months. As a result, the brains of these participants showed an increase of gray matter in different areas of the brain linked to memory, fine motor skills of the hands, and strategic planning, in comparison to those who did not play. This means that video games can be used as a therapy for people with mental disorders that cause these areas of the brain to shrink.

Different types of games can help the brain in their own way. Action games, in particular, offer a wide variety of benefits for the brain to soak up. Practiced

action gamers tend to have a better attention span. This can be easily tested with the Stroop Effect test. The Stroop Effect test is a list of colors but the color of the letters are different than the word (i.e. the word is green, but the font is purple.) Instead of saying the word you say the color of the font and it’s supposed to be done as quickly as possible. This becomes more difficult because of the conflict between the word and its color. However, those who play five to 10 hours of action games a week tend to complete this test faster and more efficiently. This is because the brain is sharper in the areas associated with attention. This improvement in attention can also help kids with dyslexia. In a small study, it was shown that kids who play video games regularly are able to read faster and with more accuracy.

Brain teasing games can help the elderly improve memory and focus. Specially designed brain teasing games have been seen to slow the aging process by seven years. This is because they are cognitively complex and require mental energy.

It is also thought that video games can improve eyesight. Gamers are able to make out more details,

like small writing and are able to see more variations in gray. Practiced action gamers were 58 percent better at seeing small differences in contrast, which is a good thing seeing as sight is usually the first sense to go with age. Video games can also make it easier for gamers to keep track of more things in front of them. On average people who don’t play video games can track three to four objects, while practiced action gamers can track six to seven objects.

Lastly, with the advancements in both technology and in the medical field, more and more surgeries are being performed with a controller and a monitor. This bears a striking resemblance to video games, which is why it’s no coincidence when on average young doctors who have past experience playing video games have fewer errors and a faster completion time than those without.

However, these skills can only work if they are used in real life. So, after finishing that last level, get out there and put those new skills to the test. Happy gaming!