What are the effects of video games on the brain? Millions of Italians play video games every day for an average of at least an hour a day. It is clear that attention on this topic is multiplying in the main research centers. The greatest attention is paid to the consequences on children and adolescents.
A recent research analyzed the results of 116 scientific studies to understand how playing video games can influence behaviors and the brain. The results can be read in the scientific journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Effects of video games on the brain: changes also in structure, not just in behavior
The first important result is the one that explains that playing video games not only changes the performance of our brain, but also its structure.
We know, for example, that playing has an impact on attention span, improving it. This is demonstrated by some magnetic resonance imaging: land regions of the brain that play a role in attention appear more efficient in gamers, compared to those who don’t play. But there’s more. Players need less stimulation to focus on even challenging tasks.
They improve visual-spatial skills
The second result demonstrates that playing increases the size and capacity of the brain areas responsible for visuospatial skills, a person’s ability to identify spatial-visual relationships between objects. In the long term, players show a larger hippocampus.
Better students, if they don’t overdo the hours of playing
Another study highlights how even children can see better results at school if they play video games without abusing them. The researchers used brain scans of some kids while they were engaged in some logical tests. Those who play half an hour a day had better results than non-gamers.
Among the effects of video games on the brain is the reduction of stress
A research instead, he underlined how some games reduce stress levels, improving their mental health condition. When playing, the brain is focused on what to do to stay alive, distracting them from their daily problems.
Effects of video games on the brain: in older adults it helps memory and slows down cognitive decline
A study published in the scientific journal Nature has shown that the use of some video games can improve cognitive performance in the elderly. Those who play for twelve hours in a month can improve their performance in terms of memory and attention. These skills remain for six months after training.
Strategy games are particularly good at providing protection against dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
What are the negative effects?
The sore point is that video games they can become additivesin technical terms we speak of internet gaming disorder. In these cases there are functional and structural alterations in the neural reward system. It is the area responsible for pleasure, learning and motivation.
But be careful with violent games. The images impact the activity of the left inferior frontal lobe and anterior cingulate cortex. They are two fundamental areas in the control of emotions and aggressive behaviors.