I’m here on the couch again. Another night in front of the television. Xbox controller in hand…battle ready.

I’m mentally prepared to allow the next few hours pass by as I aimlessly wander a continuously evolving fantasy world.

The deep rabbit hole that is the world of hardcore gaming can be hard to wrap your head around, especially for those who don’t participate. These non-gamers might even think that damage is occurring from the wasted hours, but thank Cayde-6 (R.I.P.), they’re dead wrong according to recent studies.

The main study I researched was meticulously conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus in Berlin, Germany.

I know it’s a mouthful, but it makes some incredible points.

The study found that playing video increases grey matter, or in more simple terms, the size of your brain. Increasing this matter helps refine learned and hardwired skills we use daily.

In layman’s terms, playing modern, as well as classic, video games directly impact certain regions of the brain responsible for memory, spatial orientation, information organizations, and fine motor skills.

Holy shit. This is unbelievable news. Little did I know that the hours spent online were actually like attending University…in a sense…right? That’s what the scientists are telling me.

Simone Kühn, who is the senior scientist at the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development was the main contributor and leader of the study from above.

She states, “While previous studies have shown differences in brain structure of video gamers, the present study proves that specific brain regions can be trained by means of video games.”

This has many implications. Can video games be used for training on a mass-scale? Can they help heal the brain?

Gaming has been proven to improve fine-motor skills even in surgeons, and a study published in the medical journal PLOS One found that surgeons who played video games, more specifically the Nintendo Wii, became better at their profession just by playing games. Their participation in gaming showed improved hand-eye coordination and increased precise muscle movement which are both essential skills for their practice.

Scientists also now strongly believe those with mental disabilities, or others affected by brain disease like Alzheimer’s, could benefit from playing video games. Woah.

Scientists recorded and witnessed increases in three major areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex, the right hippocampus, and the cerebellum.

Games can also teach problem solving and strategy, making them valuable tools for kids, teens, and even adults. Hand-eye coordination and precise muscle movement were both benefits recorded.

For children and their oh so malleable brains, video games have great educational potential. Games specifically designed to address a specific problem, such as Minecraft, can teach specific skills that can transfer to reality. Problem-solving re-imagined.

This is because they are motivating, engaging, interactive and provide rewards and reinforcement to improve in reality and online.

Here is a great infographic from Forbes.com

Of course, like anything in life gaming requires moderation.

Hours upon hours upon days eventually can have adverse effects obviously.

Just like anything in life it requires a finite balance.

So there you go…scientists of today have taken the time to validate and actually encourage folks of all ages to play of video games and have totally just backed your decision to play video games this weekend.

This is something new and those older generations didn’t have access too so please take advantage as I do.

You can thank me later fellow gamers.

Cheers,

J. Robert Fallon III