#Videogames

A new study highlighted in international media suggests that playing video games, including those featuring violent content, may help in reducing stress—a finding of significance amid growing concerns about digital wellness among Thais. According to a report on TechSpot, the research challenges conventional wisdom that associates violent video games solely with negative psychological effects, instead pointing to their potential role in coping with daily stress.

For years, video gaming—especially games involving graphic violence—has been viewed warily by parents, educators, and policymakers in Thailand, who often cite concerns about aggressive behavior, addiction, and distracted learning. In its latest findings, however, researchers conducted controlled experiments measuring stress levels before and after participants played a range of games, from peaceful puzzles to fast-paced action shooters. The surprising result: players of violent games often experienced stress relief on par with—if not greater than—that seen with non-violent genres.

A recent international study suggests that playing video games, even violent ones, may help reduce stress. For Thai audiences navigating digital wellness and busy daily life, the finding offers a new lens on gaming as a potential coping tool when used wisely.

Research involved controlled experiments that measured stress levels before and after participants played a range of games, from peaceful puzzles to fast-paced action titles. The results showed that violent games can provide stress relief comparable to, or greater than, non-violent games when played with intention and balance.

A large international study identifies four psychological profiles among video game players, shedding light on how emotional regulation and attachment styles influence both healthy and problematic gaming. The research, published in Addictive Behaviors, analyzed responses from more than 5,000 gamers across 112 countries, offering nuanced insights that challenge stereotypes about gaming addiction and mental health. Research by leading psychology institutes shows that gaming can be a source of both comfort and risk, depending on individual emotional and social contexts.

A recent breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology from China has shocked the medical and tech communities, as a frontal lobe epilepsy patient reportedly played the highly anticipated video game Black Myth: Wukong using only their thoughts, and with less than 20 hours of training. This development underscores major advances in the field and signals a new era for assistive technology and rehabilitation for neurological patients.

The news, first reported by Notebookcheck, details how researchers equipped a patient affected by frontal lobe epilepsy with an advanced BCI system. Within less than 20 hours of practice, the individual was able to control the video game’s main character, tackling complex tasks and responding to dynamic in-game environments—a feat that usually requires quick reflexes and precise hand movements. The revelation stands as both a technical marvel and a testament to the adaptability of the human brain, even in the face of neurological challenges.

A recent breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology from China has captured global attention. A frontal lobe epilepsy patient reportedly played the video game Black Myth: Wukong using only thought, after less than 20 hours of training. The development highlights rapid advances in assistive tech and rehabilitation for neurological conditions.

The story, originally reported by Notebookcheck, describes researchers equipping a patient with an advanced BCI system. Within under 20 hours of practice, the individual controlled the game’s main character, completed tasks, and navigated dynamic scenes—achievements typically requiring swift hand movements and precise input. This underscores both technical innovation and the brain’s remarkable adaptability despite neurological challenges.

A recent neuroimaging study in the journal Brain Sciences has highlighted intriguing differences in brain connectivity between action video gamers and non-gamers, sparking discussions on the cognitive impacts of video gaming. The research found that individuals who engage extensively in action video games, such as First-Person Shooters and Real-Time Strategy games, demonstrate enhanced functional and structural connectivity in the dorsal visual stream of their brains. This discovery provides a compelling look at how such gaming activities may influence brain function, emphasizing heightened functional connectivity between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule—areas integral to processing spatial location and movement.

A recent study in Brain Sciences examines how frequent action gaming might shape brain networks. The researchers found that action gamers—such as players of first-person shooters and real-time strategy titles—exhibit stronger connections in the dorsal visual stream, which processes spatial location and movement. They also report improved communication between key regions, including the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule.

In visual processing, two pathways handle different tasks. The dorsal stream answers “where” something is; the ventral stream answers “what” it is. The study’s lead author, a senior researcher, suggests that intensive spatial and coordination demands in action games could boost connectivity within these pathways.

A recent neuroscience study suggests that regular players of action video games show stronger connections in the brain’s dorsal visual stream. The research maps enhanced links between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule in gamers, hinting at cognitive benefits in spatial tasks.

For Thai readers, where gaming is increasingly embedded in education and leisure, these findings offer timely insights. They underscore the potential value of digital media as a tool for learning while highlighting the need for balanced, responsible gaming in schools and families.

Recent research in the field of neuroscience has discovered that individuals who engage regularly in action video games experience enhanced functional and structural connectivity in the dorsal visual stream of the brain. Published in Brain Sciences, the study specifically maps out connectivity improvements between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule among gamers, suggesting that these brain enhancements could contribute to their superior performance in spatial tasks.