Video games are very popular with children of all ages. And, due to the pace of our technological world, it continues to grow even more. Children and even adults find their way of entertainment in video games. They play these games whenever they get bored or want to take a short break from their work and studies.

These games try to change people’s minds and moods and they feel much more relaxed than before. Due to its increasing demand, scientists have investigated to discover the effects of video games on the human brain.

Video games and changes in the brain.

Games have been found to cause changes in many regions of the brain. Studies show some structural changes in the brain due to video games and also various changes in the functionality and behavior of the brain.

1. Increase attention

We need concentration and attention while playing a game, otherwise we will lose it. Thus, video games have resulted in the enhancement of various types of attention in humans, including selective attention and sustained attention. In addition, the brain regions that seek attention are more efficient in gamers compared to non-gamers, and they need less activation to stay focused on various tasks.

2. Brain size

Playing video games has also been shown to increase the size and competence of the parts of the brain that are responsible for visuospatial skills (the ability to identify visual and spatial relationships between objects). With long-term players who have followed a game training plan, their right hippocampus has been enlarged.

3. Game addicts

When talking about game addicts, there are some structural and functional alterations in the neural reward system (a group of structures associated with the sensation of pleasure, motivation and learning). When we expose these video game addicts to any gambling-related cues or signals, it triggers cravings and also monitors their brain’s responses.

4. Helps improve your memory

Mind training games even help boost an individual’s memory formation. In addition, it also helps improve the other two important cognitive areas, working memory and sustained attention. These skills are maintained for 6 months after completion of the training.

5. Decrease in brain-related diseases

When it comes to disease, each and every person wants a disease-free life. What if it can be done with the help of a video game?

Yes, strategy games have been shown to promote improved brain function in older adults and may provide some protection against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Also, a little brain training can help reverse some of the age-related brain decline.

In general, these games are valuable as they eliminate stress, improve brain function, cure diseases, as well as being a source of entertainment. But there is always a second side to a coin. Here, spending too much time playing the video game can be harmful for both children and adults. Speaking of children, it can hamper their studies and weaken their eyesight when these games are played on a screen. And adults can get in the way of your work while playing in the offices.

So, play around to rejuvenate yourself, but too much of anything can be dangerous.