Not Always Bad, Study Reveals Playing Video Games Can Improve Brain Intelligence

Illustration of playing video games (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - So far, video games are often considered to have a negative impact on their players, such as triggering addiction, reducing physical activity, and reducing productivity.

However, a number of recent studies revealed that playing video games also has significant benefits for mental health and brain intelligence.

A neurologist from Western University, Canada, Professor Adrian Owen, revealed that individuals who often play video games show their average cognitive abilities of 13.7 years younger than those who don't play.

"People who play less than five hours per week, regardless of the types of games being played, have cognitive performance equivalent to people 5.2 years younger," Owen said, quoted from Antara.

This study also found that gamers recorded higher scores in terms of memory, concentration, and reasoning skills compared to those who did not play games at all.

According to the study, moderate-intensity exercise for 150 minutes per week, according to NHS recommendations, does not provide a significant increase in memory and thinking skills, but still contributes to mental health.

The types of games that are popular among gamers today are very different from conventional brain training games. Some examples of games that are widely played are puzzle games such as Minecraft, Civilization, Hearthstone, and Roblox.

In addition, there are role-playing games such as The Witcher, Mass Effect, Fallout 4, Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto, and Assassin's Creed. In the sports game category, there are FIFA, NHL, Mario Kart, Need for Speed, and Rocket League.

These games are generally very attractive and demand strategy, thereby increasing visual focus, processing speed, and problem solving skills through repeated exercises.

"Each gamer knows that these games are designed to stimulate an award system in the brain, triggering the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. This effect has the potential to have a long-term impact on cognitive functions," Owen explained.

In a study conducted by Owen with a team from the Science Museum Group in the UK, as many as 1,000 adult respondents aged 18 to 87 were asked to fill out a survey related to their health and lifestyle conditions. The survey also includes information about their medical status, education, and work levels.

In addition, respondents took a series of brain tests designed to measure various cognitive aspects, such as learning skills, focus, perceptions, and memory.