Video games have become one of the most popular entertainment mediums across all age groups, with more than three billion people worldwide logging on in 2023. Video games can range from immersive multiplayer adventures to relaxing simulation games, providing a variety of experiences and capturing global attention.
Research shows video games may be good for your brain. In the Brain and Body study, which used a 12-task cognitive assessment from Creyos, playing video games was associated with stronger performance on tasks measuring problem solving, memory, and executive function. That same study found no relationship between gaming and mental health. Physical exercise, not gaming, carried the mental health benefit.
But as the popularity of video games continues to grow, so do public concerns about their effect on physical and mental health. Common criticisms suggest video games may contribute to sedentary lifestyles, social isolation, and even mental health problems like anxiety, gaming addiction, and depression.
These concerns are often amplified when video games are compared to physical activities and exercise, which are widely known to benefit overall health, well-being, and mental health recovery.
Though screens now dominate our daily routines from work to entertainment, video games might not fully deserve the villain reputation they're often assigned.
For clinicians and mental health professionals, this article explores the connection between playing video games and brain health, focusing on insights from the Brain and Body study using Creyos Health. We'll look at evidence-based findings, discuss the positive and negative effects of gaming, and highlight how tools like Creyos can be instrumental in advancing our understanding of mental health and cognition.
Article Highlights
The Brain and Body study linked playing video games to a positive effect on cognitive abilities, while physical activity, not gaming, was linked to better mental health.
- Over three billion people worldwide played video games in 2023.
- The study assessed more than 1,000 participants using a 12-task Creyos cognitive assessment.
- The positive effects of video games seem to be consistent across the lifespan, including in older adults.
What is the Brain and Body study?
The Brain and Body study, a joint effort between researchers at Western University and the Science and Industry Museum for the Manchester Science Festival, was designed to uncover the connection between physical activity (exercise), mental activity (playing video games), and brain health.
This large-scale research initiative aimed to explore how different lifestyle factors affect the brain and body. Its findings offer valuable insights into the mental health benefits of modern hobbies and their effect on cognitive performance.
Among its most compelling conclusions was a clear distinction between the benefits of physical exercise and those of playing video games.
| Activity | What the Brain and Body study linked it to |
|---|---|
| Physical exercise | Mental health benefits, including reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mental distress, and better overall psychological health |
| Playing video games | Cognitive abilities, including enhanced performance on tasks that require problem solving, memory, and executive function. No relationship was found with mental health |
This study sheds light on a fascinating connection: while video games are often viewed as purely recreational, they may play a meaningful role in enhancing brain function and cognitive ability. These findings also challenge the assumption that gaming is inherently bad.
Instead, playing video games in moderation may supplement cognitive health and should perhaps be framed as an important part of a comprehensive approach to brain health that includes both mental and physical activity.
Video game types and outcomes studied
Understanding how video games affect the brain requires a careful examination of their unique mechanics and the duration of gaming sessions. The Brain and Body study explored the effects of video gaming and physical activity within a group of more than 1,000 participants.
The study categorized participants based on their self-reported frequency of gaming across different genres:
- Non-gamers: zero hours per week
- Infrequent gamers: more than zero but less than three hours per week
- Frequent gamers: three or more hours per week in one or more genres
The study also included measures of demographic and health characteristics and psychological screeners to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participants' physical activity levels were quantified using self-reported minutes spent doing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over the past week. This was used to determine if they met the exercise recommendations provided by the World Health Organization.
Study participants then completed a 12-task cognitive assessment from Creyos to assess cognitive performance in the areas of short-term memory, verbal processing, and cognitive reasoning. The findings showed that physical activity has a positive relationship with mental health, and playing video games has a positive effect on cognitive abilities. Notably, in this study, no relationship was found between gaming and mental health.
How do video games affect mental health?
Video games have long been the subject of debate when it comes to their impact on mental health. For some, gaming may be a form of relaxation and a way to connect socially with others, while critics worry about its potential to foster addiction and isolation and negative behaviors.
Like most activities, however, the mental health effects of video games likely depend on how they are played. Moderation, game type, and individual circumstances all play a critical role.
What are the potential risks of video games?
Video game addiction
One of the most common concerns about gaming is the risk of addiction, where prolonged play interferes with daily life, relationships, or emotional well-being. This phenomenon, often referred to as internet gaming disorder, is officially recommended for further research in the DSM-5.
For example, gaming in excess of five hours daily has been associated with heightened stress, poor sleep quality, and withdrawal from real-life responsibilities.
It's worth noting, however, that video game addiction is only a risk factor for a small fraction of players, often impacted by pre-existing mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
Social isolation and loneliness
While many games are socially engaging by design, excessive solo gaming can sometimes lead to social withdrawal in the real world. Spending too much time gaming may crowd out other life-enriching activities, like outdoor exercise or face-to-face social interaction.
Increased stress or aggression
Some studies associate violent video games, such as first-person shooters, with increased aggression in younger players, but experts continue to debate these findings, with many arguing that this connection hinges on other factors like mental predispositions or environmental stressors.
What are the potential benefits of video games?
Improved prosocial behaviors and decreased loneliness
Rather than promoting isolation, many online multiplayer games foster relationships, communication, teamwork, and empathy. Cooperative games, for example, encourage players to build alliances and solve problems collaboratively, creating social interactions that may reduce loneliness and increase feelings of community.
Cognitive skills and performance
Cognitive improvements from gaming are among the most well-documented benefits, as evidenced in the Brain and Body study. Action games, for instance, have been linked to enhanced problem-solving skills, faster reaction times, and improved memory recall, while puzzle games may challenge critical thinking and enhance executive functioning.
Emotion regulation
Many players turn to gaming as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Casual or "cozy" games like Animal Crossing are particularly valued for their calming effects, helping players regulate their emotions and relieve stress by providing structured, low-pressure activities.
Reduced depression and anxiety
Research shows that moderate video gaming may be associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. The nature of gaming, including goal setting, overcoming challenges, and receiving rewards, creates an intrinsic motivational structure that can uplift mood and promote positive emotions.
Stress relief and wellbeing
Gaming can provide a temporary escape, relieving stress and allowing players to focus entirely on the present moment. This immersive experience often results in a sense of well-being.
While gaming does have the potential to enhance mental health, moderation is key, as is a balance with other lifestyle activities known to improve brain health. By setting limits on screen time, diversifying daily activities, and cultivating healthy habits, players can maximize the cognitive and mental health benefits of video games while minimizing risks.
How Creyos measures cognitive and mental health
Scientific research like the Brain and Body study relies on sensitive, reliable tools to accurately measure the intricacies of brain health. Creyos played a pivotal role in capturing these critical metrics, offering a comprehensive way to remotely assess cognitive performance and track mental health outcomes.
The Brain and Body study used Creyos cognitive assessments to evaluate participant performance across key areas such as memory, attention, problem solving, and executive function.
This approach enabled researchers to go beyond self-reported outcomes to track objective data, using a tool validated through decades of research and used in over 400 scientific studies, offering deeper insights into how lifestyle factors like video gaming affect the brain.
The study also found that the positive effects of video games seem to be consistent across one's lifespan. Video gaming was associated with improved cognition in older adults as well, suggesting that it could be considered as a lifestyle intervention for aging populations, including patients with age-related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.
Outside the realm of research, Creyos is a powerful tool for mental health professionals to better understand their patients. Using Creyos, clinicians can evaluate cognitive performance as part of a broader behavioral and mental health assessment, track changes in cognitive abilities over time, and collect quantitative data that supports decision-making for cognitive and mental health treatment plans.
For mental health practitioners working with clients who play games recreationally or are looking for alternative lifestyle therapeutic interventions, Creyos offers actionable insights into how gaming may shape cognitive function and emotional health.
For instance, clinicians can track their clients' progress over weeks or months to identify how gaming habits might contribute to executive function abilities or serve as a coping mechanism to support emotional regulation, anxiety relief, and recovery from other mental health issues.
What differentiates Creyos is its ability to quantify cognitive performance in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. By providing engaging, user-friendly assessments that are backed by science, Creyos empowers professionals to gather meaningful data while also improving patients' understanding of their own mental health.
The future of research on video games and brain health
While video games have sparked widespread public debate, their growing recognition as tools for cognitive enhancement and mental health support signals a shift in societal perceptions. Researchers are only just beginning to uncover the long-term effects of gaming on the brain, which opens the door to exciting possibilities for therapeutic applications and scientific discovery.
The future likely lies in the development of therapeutic or interventional video games, specially designed to treat or mitigate mental health and neurological conditions. For example, recent advancements in virtual reality and interactive simulations have already shown promise in addressing conditions like PTSD, social anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, while "serious games" are specifically designed as treatment for conditions like ADHD.
This underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to brain health, including a balance between mental and physical exercise. Some activities, like exergaming and yoga, are designed to include both components and may be beneficial.
From boosting memory and problem-solving skills to promoting social interaction and reducing stress, it seems to be the case that video game play can benefit cognitive ability, mental well-being, and brain health when used in moderation. Studies like the Brain and Body Study, paired with innovative tools like Creyos, are paving the way for more robust insights into how certain lifestyle interventions can improve patient quality of life and promote healthy cognitive aging.
Learn more about the connection between cognition and mental health by exploring how Creyos can help assess and track cognitive performance.
Reviewed by Mike Battista, Director of Science & Research at Creyos
Mike Battista specializes in brain health, cognition, and neuropsychological testing. He received his PhD in personality and measurement psychology at Western University in 2010 and has been doing fun and useful stuff in the intersection between science and technology ever since.