Scientific Proof of how Gaming effects Mental health
Gaming has become a part of our lives if we talk about the current conditions. With the lockdown, many of us have found comfort in gaming.
However, the fact remains that it has completely taken over our lives and some of us can’t resist it.
This leads to an interesting debate, which cannot seem to reach a universally acceptable conclusion that, “Is gaming harmful for our mental health or is it not?”
The elders of the society quickly jump towards the side which believes that our mental health is suffering because of it. Whereas, the youngsters are of the opinion that it develops skills.
We’ll discuss both of these sides separately in this article.
Studies showing that gaming has a negative effect on mental health:
Countless studies and surveys have been carried out over the course of last decade. The results show that gaming have a destructive effect on the player just like drug has on an individual.
As a consequence of these studies, WHO (World Health Organization) has declared gaming as an official disorder characterized by an addictive behavior.
They believe that when an individual cannot resist playing video games, is constantly thinking about it even when not physically engaged in it, and prioritizes it over other activities, it becomes a disorder.
Studies show that when a child is engaged in technology, certain pathways in the brain are stimulated and create sensations similar to those produced in a drug addict.
When the child achieves something or completes a mission in the game, the reward systems in his brain produce feelings of happiness and achievement.
This paves the way towards becoming addicted to that particular game and the child ends up becoming a slave to technology.
You might have heard kids saying, “Gaming is my escape from the real world”.
To some extent, it can be beneficial to have an escape but being in a state where you start to hate reality and like only whats in the technological world (artificially designed) is dangerous.
Your social life, academic life, mental health, and fitness would suffer for long if you stay in this zone.
All the expert doctors and studies from all around the globe agree on the fact that our mental health and physical health are interconnected. One cannot function without the other.
Using technological gadgets requires a sedentary lifestyle, where there is no physical activity, and that takes a toll on our mental health.
Studies showing that gaming has a positive impact on mental health:
On the contrary, there are various studies and surveys indicating that gaming can prove to be healthy for our mental health if we engage in it within a safe time limit.
For instance, the parts of our brain concerned with concentration and focus are developed through video games.
Furthermore, our reflexes and reaction speed is significantly enhanced by playing games like Call of Duty, etc.
A few researches also indicate that our brain structure and behavior is molded when we play games. Gaming requires full focus and reasoning skills, this teaches us how to focus and reason.
Another skill that is developed through playing them is visuospatial skill. Video games contain complex locations with well-defined real life scenarios like warzone or a destroyed building.
We learn how to analyze these complex locations and that can prove beneficial in real life scenarios whenever we are exposed to a similar situation.
There is a part of brain which is associated with sense of reward and accomplishment, called, “Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway”. This pathway is stimulated when the player accomplishes something in games.
Therefore, it can also be said that gaming can help eradicate feelings of depression and sadness. However, this method of dealing with depression is futile and will not last long.
It’ll make you feel like you’ve dealt with depression but in reality, it will make you addicted to itself (game).
Conclusion
To sum up, gaming can be absolutely beneficial for one’s mental health but a prolonged engagement in video games can produce symptoms of addiction and one might end up being completely dependent on it.
But as far as controlled engagement in video games in concerned, it has more constructive effects than destructive.
For instance, reasoning skills, visuospatial skills, analyzing skills, and the ability to focus for longer periods in polished.
