Introduction
It is now commonplace to observe that gaming has gone mainstream and is a popular activity that millions of people engage in for extended amounts of time. However, how can gaming really impact the head and what exactly happens within the cerebral cortex? While some people discussed the advantages and disadvantages of video games, recent studies offer information about the effects of gaming on the brain and behaviour.
How Gaming Affects the Brain
Researchers have focused on studying various impacts of video games on the human brain for some time now. Research also proves that the general performance of these games can interfere with the understanding of computer brain performance and structure. Some of the benefits identified include the following; gaming can increase attention span. Those who play video games for extended lengths of time also have higher sustained and select attention than non-gamers, and their brains are better at working when concentrating on complex tasks. This is even evident in the parts of the brain that control attention.
Also, determinations drawn in prior studies have offered evidence that suggest that participation in video games fosters growth in the domain of visuospatial abilities, which is the capacity to comprehend the relationship between visual and spatial fields. Thus, gamers have bigger and more developed the right hippocampus, the area in the brain that is associated with memory and spatial orientation.
The Risk of Addiction
However, it’s not all positive. It may lead to addiction to video games, commonly referred to as “Internet gaming disorder,” and impacts the neural reward system that is related to pleasure and motivation. Alterations in this system are similar to other forms of addiction, for example addiction to drugs. Gaming addiction is still under research, but one can state that it results in neurological alterations.
Cognitive Benefits of Gaming
However, on the brighter side, there exist some kinds of video games, especially strategy games, that may be advantageous to an elderly’s brain. In fact, the games that rely on the abilities of memory and attention can actually delay the worsening of the disease. For instance, several studies reveal that particular 3D games benefit older people’s memory, and other expansion practices point to the effect that game delays dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Bottom Line
The relationship between gaming and the brain is complex. Although video games have been found to improve attention and visuospatial skills, it exposes the players to risks of getting addicted to the games and in the process changing their brain functions. But if well-balanced, video games could be beneficial on the cognitive aspect particularly on senior citizens. The effects of the games are a subject that has been receiving a lot of attention today, and as research goes on the knowledge about their effects on the brain also changes.
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