Okay Geek Farm
Doctor says Certain Gaming good for your health
Ricardo Trejo
Gaming is... good for you? I love the fact that so-called "experts" go back and forth on whether or not video games hurt you or help you. But then again that's usually when violent shooters like Gears or GTA are on the table. But what about games like Peggle and Bejeweled?
For Gail Nichols it became the help she needed to help her through her depression. Being diagnosed for years, she seldom found joy in anything - that was until she discovered the addictive and fun game, Bejeweled. After Nichols contacted the game's creator to tell them how much it helped her, PopCap - the game's developer - they decided to research the effects people were having while playing their game. The results were a bit surprising.
Carmen Russoniello, the man in charge running the research for PopCap, says that certain games help people relax from a stress filled day, by allowing the brain to 'gear down.' He thinks that western society is always alert and full of energy, even after a day of activities. Because of those high's it's hard for us to just shut off - the brain needs some activity to help cool it down to the necessary relaxed state it needs to truly be stress free.
PopCap is continuing its research into the mental benefits their games can help with.
[Via Washington Post]
