Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Brain-FX

Computer Gaming: Recovery and Treatment for Addicts

I'm a big advocate of computer games for keeping your brain healthy and young. But in spite of Stephen Johnson's book with the intriguing name and subject matter of Everything Bad for You is Good, I know that some people can get addicted to computer games.

As someone who has remained alcohol free for the last 20 years, I am attracted to the addictive qualities of mental pleasures. I can even spend a few hours trying to beat my score at Mahjong Masters. But I get too bored with spending enough time online with simple games.

The Hubby is a big World of Warcraft aficionado. Some might point a finger at him, but he insists he's in control of his gaming.

Here's a story about computer game addiction recovery centers that might interest you, about a detox center in the Netherlands. But if you know someone who might need help, the article also talks about other treatments available in the U.S. 

Stressed? Take a People-Break

Positive human-to-human contact reduces the blood levels of the stress hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol.

Science is studying the effects of spending time online and have found higher levels of depression and loneliness in people who spend even a few hours per week connected to the Internet. Now, I have lots of questions about that study, mainly that this doesn't prove any cause and effect. If you are a person who is lonely, you might want to spend extra time on the computer anyway.

And I know some computer gamers who go online to feel the strong effects of stress through online games such as World of Warcraft... I won't go into the addiction thing here.

But here's my point: When people are spending most of their time online, or communicating via email versus face-to-face, the brain is not exposed as much to conditions that trigger the release of certain hormones: oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, and serotonin.

These chemical are known to enhance trust, bonding, attention and pleasure. And serotonin reduces fear and worry.

Think about how much less time you spend interacting with humans face-to-face. And then consider that taking a people-break might enhance your mood.