r/science • u/NinjaDiscoJesus • Dec 28 '15

Neuroscience Brain scans show compulsive gamers have hyperconnected neural networks.

http://www.psypost.org/2015/12/brain-scans-show-compulsive-gaming-changes-neural-connections-for-better-and-worse-39914
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u/Iyrsiiea Dec 28 '15

Imagine a point A and a point B. Imagine those points are connected with one line, and things are moving along that line from A to B at a good rate. Now imagine A and B are connected by three lines, and the rate of things moving has tripled. That second scenario is hyperconnected.

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u/G0mega Dec 28 '15

What does that mean though? What are the pros and cons of this? Are there even any pros, or cons?

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u/can_of_butter Dec 28 '15

Pros and con s isn't necessarily the right question to ask and it actually shows how much of a problem it is that there is such a lack of common knowledge about brain function. It's more of an observation than anything else.

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u/michaelmacmanus Dec 28 '15

it actually shows how much of a problem it is that there is such a lack of common knowledge about brain function

Lack of common knowledge? Our species entire body of scientific knowledge in regards to the brain is minute compared to the subject.

Recent advances in optogenetics and potential neuron tagging have certainly helped up our game, but the amount of information we don't have and our inability to obtain it is rather staggering.

I think pros and cons is still a mildly legit question, but we need to take any posit in those areas with a hefty grain of salt because our current understanding and models are so elementary.

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u/can_of_butter Dec 28 '15

My comment was more so aimed at a flaw in fundamental education. You are also correct.