by Maggie Borland
Despite popular misconception, video games actually have many positive cognitive and physical effects. There are full research centers, such as the UCSF Neuroscape, that are studying ways video games and virtual reality can be used to act as preventative care and to improve health in sick or recovering patients. Here, we’ll talk about a few benefits that have been proven when asked the age old question, “is playing video games good or bad for your brain?”
Games provide the ability to train cognition.
Everyone is born with a baseline, genetic cognition. Some are born with the ability to process information faster than others. Things like memorization, or learning a new instrument may come naturally to them. Playing video games is one way to train and improve cognition. Different types of games train different parts of the brain.
Action Games such as Overwatch, Valorant, Fortnite, and CSGO can train the brain to make quick and accurate decisions under pressure. The practical applications of this are endless. Consider something we do every day- driving. If drivers were able to make more quick and accurate decisions in a tight spot, there would be fewer accidents.
Gamers also tend to do better in both completing complex tasks, and ignoring distractions. Have you ever had a situation that was so chaotic, your brain seemed to get overwhelmed? Whether it was a school project, social predicament, or an emergency, everyone has had them. Video games can better equip our brains to process and handle these situations both quickly, and calmly.
While there are many other mental benefits of playing video games, it’s important to know that the brain learns more from smaller sessions, rather than one big block. Many gamers today will play for 8-14 hours a day- some more than that. There is a point when you start seeing diminishing mental returns. So play your games, but also learn where the line is between improvement and loss inside your own brain.