With over 3.24 billion gamers across the globe and the ever-increasing revenues – currently residing at a ‘modest’ $24.8 billion, the global revenue from online games is expected to reach $32.1 billion by 2025, showing an impressive 7.77% CAGR – online gaming has absorbed players of all ages and from all walks of life.
From CEOs of renowned companies to eSports athletes, gamers have always had to defend their favorite entertainment against the attacks grounded on the premise that excessive gaming reduces motivation and causes dopamine addiction, emotional suppression, social disconnection, and poor mental health. But how much of that is actually true? It seems like finally, we have some strong scientific evidence that proves that gaming can benefit our mental health as long as the dosage is right and all the precautions are taken.
To shed light on the issue, we’ve got in touch with Aleksandra Maj, an inveterate gamer and a gambling expert from KasynoHEX, who shared with us some valuable insights into how gaming affects your mind and how you can benefit from it.
Without further ado, let’s dig into it!
Gaming Acts Akin to Drugs, but That Doesn’t Mean Gaming is Bad
Gaming is entering the mainstream much faster than anyone could expect, and the number of research made on gaming and mental health is growing as well. And while the majority of people are still thinking that gaming is nothing but a waste of time, scientific research tells a different tale. According to:
- The 2019 National Institutes of Health study, gaming can help to deal with depression and improve the overall well-being of a person.
- The researchers from the Max Planck Institute, playing games can stimulate the growth of brain regions.
- The study by PLOS One, gaming can increase cognitive function.
- Current Biology, video games can improve reading skills almost as fast as reading books.
We play video games for the same reason we gamble at online casinos like Nitro Casino, Slottica, and Vulkan Vegas. Gaming forces our brain to release dopamine, which is the pleasure hormone that makes us satisfied and euphoric. Scarily enough, it is also responsible for drug addiction – and almost all other addictions for that matter – so it goes without saying it should be controlled and approached with utmost care.
But not only does dopamine make us happy – it also stimulates the so-called triumph circuit. Whether we accomplish something important in real life or successfully solve puzzles in a computer game, our brain responds with the same feeling of security and confidence.
Mental Benefits of Video Games
With so many misconceptions about how video games affect our mental state, we can’t help but reiterate the possible positive effect of controlled gaming:
- Feeling of accomplishment. Just like in real life, you have goals to reach. Once you complete them, you get the deserved feeling of satisfaction improving your overall well-being, whereas various badges, medals, and trophies reinforce the effect.
- Brain stimulation. While you play, your brain analyzes and strategizes and sometimes even gets immersed in the process so deeply that it resembles medication, when you’re focused on a single goal and detached from the outside world.
- Socialization. Multiplier games are much more popular than their single-player counterparts, and not just like that: multiplier games promote social interaction, making you learn how to communicate the most effectively.
- Emotional resilience. Failing in a game is always frustrating, but nowhere near as much as failing in real life. Games are one of the very few tools that can prepare you for both failures and victories, boosting your emotional intelligence and resilience.
Last but not least, no matter how tempting it is to spend one more hour with your favorite game at the time when the unceasing pandemic literally demands it, you should never forget that gaming – just like gambling – can still be addictive. Up to 10% of all gamers have compulsive addiction issues, and you definitely don’t want to become one of them. Keep your mental state in check and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’ve spotted any symptoms of gaming addiction in yourself or your beloved ones.
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