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Videogames are stressful things, claims new study photo

According to a new British-backed Taiwanese study, videogames can be a contributing factor in rising stress levels and anxiety in young people. So, not only are they solely responsible for school shootings and rapists, they could now give you a heart attack. Ace!

The research proposes that videogames instigate humanity's "fight or flight" instinct, which in turn can inadvertently release adrenaline into the body. However, since the human body is neither fighting nor flying during the average gameplay session, that rogue adrenaline simply sits there, and could potentially cause anxiety problems due to an "adrenaline overload."

Sarcasm aside, that's actually an interesting theory, and far more scientific a proposal than most of these "games cause people to turn evil because we made them blow an airhorn" studies that hacks like to promote. Naturally of course, there are also studies which say games reduce stress, and I am inclined to believe that both studies have their merits. However, that simply proves that human beings are individuals, and we can never use studies to tar everyone with the same brush. 

It's believable that for some people, videogames can stress them out. It's also believable that can calm other players down. In short -- anything can be linked to anything, if you find the right people.


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24 comments | showing # 1 to 24

Takeshi's Avatar
Takeshi at 02/11/2009 11:43
Strange, I play games to relax.
-PL-'s Avatar
-PL- at 02/11/2009 11:45
I get stressed when I can't play my games. Stupid school and work keeping me from doing what's important.
Projectexodus's Avatar
Projectexodus at 02/11/2009 11:47
Depends on the game I guess. Resident Evil 4 stresses me out, but playing an ordinary platformer like Banjo & Kazooie calms me.
Diverse's Avatar
Diverse at 02/11/2009 11:48
Video games are stressful. You see all those games Atlus is going to release? HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR ALL OF THAT!?
Jumbo's Avatar
Jumbo at 02/11/2009 11:49
I think it's a mix. I definitely get stressed out playing video games and will often turn off my Xbox angrily and stew in my pissed off juices for a bit. But it's not the same flavor of stress that you get from the real world. And I tend to play a very laid back style. I can't imagine what's going in the brains of people who actually give a shit about winning and losing in online FPS's or MMORPGs.
Trev's Avatar
Trev at 02/11/2009 11:53
Games can be stressful, but it's not like you aren't in control of the game. I actually really like the stress caused by games; it's more fun and exciting when you're not just sloughing through. Socom is really good for that. If it ever gets too stressful, I can always pull the "How are those fucking bullshit bouncing betties now, Call of Duty?! *power button*" and go have a snack.

I don't know anyone that can stay upset with a bag of dill pickle potato chips next to them.
Monodi's Avatar
Monodi at 02/11/2009 11:57
I think its all relative stress, I t can help you to chill out if you have been working a lot all day and it could be stressful if you havent done anything tht day. Or simply get killed a bazillion times in the same place.
BraunoftheDead's Avatar
BraunoftheDead at 02/11/2009 12:03
I dunno, I find shooting people in the face on Xbox Live a soothing, tension-relieving experience.
megaStryke's Avatar
megaStryke at 02/11/2009 12:09
If you've ever thrown a controller or yelled at the screen because you died for the twentieth time then you've been stressed out by video games.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 02/11/2009 12:14
Mirror's edge stressed me out but I enjoyed the challenge of it. There seems to be the misconception that anything considered "fun" must have a instant sublime effect like morphine - like any medium, the enjoyment is a journey that goes through highs and lows.
zgerhard's Avatar
zgerhard at 02/11/2009 12:14
it's like music i think.

Listen to between the buried and me and.. yea, good luck sleeping.

Listen to mozart, however, and you will find it very relaxing.

Different games, different reactions.
silvain's Avatar
silvain at 02/11/2009 12:14
Well, I know that it's true for me that I play game for recreation and relaxation. That being said, I know playing games does release adrenaline into the body; I can feel it.

The same goes for many activities that people take up. People are adrenaline junkies, whether they like games, gambling, riding roller coasters, and frankly, work does the same thing. This is not inherent in games, it's inherent in out approach to just about anything.
Spelunking raccoon's Avatar
Spelunking raccoon at 02/11/2009 12:18
It's just like with film, they have shown that horror films activate our fight or flight reaction. It all depends on content, too many of these studies stilll think games are a limited medium with no real genres
Sirapak's Avatar
Sirapak at 02/11/2009 12:20
The killzone 2 demo gave me lots of stress. Think of the real game experience than man FULL BLOWN BLACKOUT MY ORGANS WILL SHUT DOWN. THANKS FOR THE WARNING JIM!
JamnOnTheOne's Avatar
JamnOnTheOne at 02/11/2009 12:25
Snide comments aside, it's all about the type of game that you are playing.

A lazy JRPG isn't likely to get the blood pumping like a fast paced FPS game (provided you are actually good at the FPS).

I certainly have difficulty sleeping for 30min-1hr after I finish playing COD in the evening with my buddies on XBL. However, I can certainly say it's not the same type of adrenaline I experience when I race cars (Auto-X) because there's no chance of real injury or death.

As a counterpoint, something like Tales of Vesperia or Lego Indy doesn't generate the same types of feelings at all. I could fall asleep while playing those.
portastad's Avatar
portastad at 02/11/2009 12:30
I think it depends on the game and the person playing it. I know Left 4 Dead stresses me the hell out but that can be a good thing, too-It really distracted me from the pain I was having from an outpatient procedure on my back. When I want to relax and turn my brain off something like amplitude or a shooter that I'm familiar with does wonders to make me relax.
Zantetsuken's Avatar
Zantetsuken at 02/11/2009 12:46
Damn you Jim! You just made me realise how much I miss Stressed Eric.
GamingGoddess's Avatar
GamingGoddess at 02/11/2009 13:16
Wow, a videogame study that DOESN'T COMPLETELY SUCK. I mean, it might be pointless, but their conclusion at least makes a modicum of sense! I'm in shock.

I think getting that fight-or-flight response to a certain degree is healthy, because people are designed to get it and we rarely do in modern life. I could see where that adrenaline-excess could be a problem, but that can be solved by getting some physical activity, which we know we should be doing anyway.
Dimly's Avatar
Dimly at 02/11/2009 13:18
depends almost entirely on the game.
roland9000's Avatar
roland9000 at 02/11/2009 13:54
I think the worst video game stress comes from ill thought out game design or bad controls. Getting stuck on a certain level or boss fight can also induce the 'white hot rage'.
Tronjoy's Avatar
Tronjoy at 02/11/2009 13:59
The solution is simple: Play a high-stress video game, and then run screaming and flailing down the street for 15 to 20 minutes to burn off the excess adrenaline. Easy.
Miguelcar808's Avatar
Miguelcar808 at 02/11/2009 13:59
Frustrating yes stressful no.


... haaaaaa "Stressed Eric" good times
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 02/11/2009 15:32
Sure, a game or two has stressed me out a little and made me have to take a break, but getting your ass handed to you a couple times can do that.
It's nothing like the feeling you get when you're about to be in a fight though, that is way more intense. Your heart is pounding, your vision is sharper and clearer, your hearing clearer, your reflexes are quicker. None of that shit happens when you play a game! Or at least when I play a game.
Gyrael's Avatar
Gyrael at 02/11/2009 17:41
Of course, some games produce stress, as some games produce sadness, or happiness: all these feelings that are created by the game, you realease onto the game itself. It's actually relaxing. But obviously every person is different, so some may not handle these emotions well.
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