Credits: Social Media
Doctor says there are health benefits from gaming but it has to be a ‘reasonable dose’
There are two types of people in the world – those who love to play video games, and others who can’t stand it. The negative effects of gaming mostly influence the latter population.
Gaming is one of the biggest industries today; nearly every platform uses some form of fun activity to keep its users engaged. A family medicine doctor discusses the different mental health benefits of gaming as opposed to the popular opinion that it is unproductive.
Reasonable gaming can have a positive impact
Video games are often associated with poor mental and physical health. It’s a popular assumption that gaming is for slackers unless you have made a career out of it.
But, Dr. Mike on TikTok argues with research-based facts that occasional gaming is “proven” to have multiple health benefits. He emphasizes that you can reap its most benefits when you take a “reasonable dose”.
In one of his videos, he explains the “surprising benefits of being a gamer” while suggesting a couple of games that can enhance certain functions in us.
Being able to think about an object in three dimensions (3D) is one of the perks of gaming, the doctor says. He claims gaming “develops the physical brain.”
Gaming is said to increase the white and grey matter integrity in the brain – different types of tissues that play key roles in various functions. The doctor explains that gaming can increase “reaction time and coordination.”
Some games can enhance your social skills, and others that need to be played with strategy can improve your problem-solving skills.
Simple games can be beneficial too
It’s okay if you don’t have a PS4 or an Xbox, simple games you find on your smartphone or computer are enough to improve your mood on a rough day.
Games like Catch the Snake Tail or Angry Birds can help you relax and even “ward off anxiety,” says Dr. Mike.
A 2022 study by the National Institute of Health found that children who played video games daily “performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory compared to children who had never played video games.”
Dr. Mike Varshavski is an actively practicing Board Certified Family Medicine doctor with over 2.2 million followers on TikTok. He considers himself a “health & lifestyle expert ” with a motto that people should be alert, not anxious.” He holds a �B.S. in Life Sciences and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the New York Institute of Technology.
