New research has revealed that playing video games keeps your brain younger, but exercise doesn’t have the same effect.
According to the British newspaper “Telegraph”, the research was conducted on 1,000 people who filled out questionnaires about how long they played games each week and their lifestyle.
According to the results, people who regularly play video games such as “FIFA“, “Grand Theft Auto” and “Minecraft” have the mental abilities of a person about 10 years younger. Improvements were seen in their memory, attention and thinking skills.
Title: Gaming for a Younger Mind: An Interview with Professor Adrian Owen
Interviewer: Welcome, Professor Owen. Recent research has shown that playing video games can actually keep our brains younger. Can you elaborate on your findings?
Professor Owen: Thank you for having me! Yes, our study, which involved 1,000 participants, revealed some fascinating insights. We found that individuals who engage in video games like “FIFA,” “Grand Theft Auto,” and “Minecraft” regularly—around five hours or more per week—demonstrated cognitive abilities comparable to someone approximately 13.7 years younger.
Interviewer: That’s remarkable! What specific cognitive improvements did you observe in these gamers?
Professor Owen: Participants showed improvements in areas such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. These games seem to enhance visual skills and overall mental agility, which can contribute to a younger cognitive age.
Interviewer: It’s interesting that these findings challenge the long-held belief that exercise is the key to maintaining brain health. What were your observations regarding those who exercise?
Professor Owen: Indeed, it’s surprising. While we found that regular exercise, adhering to the recommended 150 minutes per week, did not yield similar cognitive benefits in our study. It seems that the interactive and stimulating nature of video games may provide unique advantages that traditional exercise does not.
Interviewer: For those who might be concerned about gaming for extended periods, are there any guidelines you would recommend?
Professor Owen: Moderation is key. Our findings suggest that playing for over five hours a week is beneficial, but those who played less—under five hours—still exhibited mental abilities about 5.2 years younger compared to their actual age. So, even moderate gaming can have positive effects.
Interviewer: This research certainly flips the narrative on how we view gaming and exercise. How do you see these findings influencing future studies or public perceptions?
Professor Owen: I believe it opens the door for a broader understanding of lifestyle choices that affect our cognitive health. It’s crucial to examine how different activities, including gaming, can contribute to brain health. Future research will aim to explore the types of games that are most beneficial and why they have such a profound impact.
Interviewer: Thank you, Professor Owen, for sharing these intriguing insights. It looks like gaming might just be the new frontier in keeping our brains youthful!
Professor Owen: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in neuroscience, and I look forward to seeing how this research evolves.
