Video Games

A new study explores why it's so hard to stop watching short videos. Researchers found that watching your favorite clips temporarily shuts down the brain's self-control centers, and this effect may be linked to your brain's natural chemistry.

A new study of adolescents reveals that total video game playtime is associated with certain cognitive benefits, while signs of gaming addiction are linked to lower mental performance. The specific games teenagers play also make a difference.

A recent overarching review of dozens of studies found that playing video games might offer a modest boost to various mental skills, helping players process information and remember details more effectively.

Are video game habits connected to isolation? A new study reveals that adults who play open-world and accessible single-player games report significantly lower feelings of loneliness, a trend that is closely associated with higher stoic attitudes.

Does playing video games make you better at judging distances and visualizing objects? A new study of university students found no link between playing video games and performing well on real-world visual or auditory spatial tasks.

A recent analysis of national survey data suggests that playing video games does not correspond to increased prejudiced beliefs. Instead, researchers found that gamers tend to hold more inclusive cultural values than the general American public.

Challenging fears of widespread radicalization, a recent study suggests extremist recruitment in gaming spaces is uncommon. However, exposure to such political messaging might still foster aggression and sexism among players.

A large new study cuts through the hype to find the true rate of video game addiction. Analyzing data from over 149,000 young adults, researchers discovered that roughly 6% suffer from a clinical loss of control over their gaming habits.

A new psychological study reveals that cognitive difficulties are linked to behavioral addiction, not the mere act of playing video games. While individuals at risk of gaming disorder struggle with working memory, recreational gamers actually display enhanced attention.

Finishing a beloved video game can leave players with a profound sense of loss. A new study shows that "post-game depression" is a measurable phenomenon linked to broader depressive symptoms and difficulties in processing everyday emotions.

Do video games stifle or stimulate the mind? A recent Taiwanese study finds that highly motivated gamers experience a significant boost in imagination, which translates into higher levels of creative problem-solving.

Researchers created a custom Roblox game to help improve body image in children. However, a new study of over 1,000 kids reveals that the game's optional educational messages failed to actually boost players' self-esteem or body satisfaction.

Video games offer adults a popular way to unwind, but new research shows that playing to win is linked to higher anxiety. The findings reveal how gaming motivations differ by gender and shape our mental health.

A recent experiment reveals that playing an action video game for an hour before bed can reduce stress and improve visuospatial memory the next day without disrupting objective sleep quality.

A new study shows that watching a Black video game character commit violent acts increases unconscious prejudice in White viewers. However, Black viewers experience a psychological defense reaction that lowers their self-reported racist beliefs.