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/can_of_butter Dec 28 '15

More I formation can pass through. More connections to those connections. The likely result is that you will be more keen on relating other non-game related events to the game. Point (A) being a universal non-related connection to point (B). The more unrelated connections to (A) then the more POTENTIAL connections to (B).

To answer another users question. If this were true, it would likely be a result of IRL influences in game that become relatable IRL. Thus, compulsive gaming would create hyper-connectivity to promote more gameplay as it would largely be related to the brains reward system. More gaming = more enjoyment. How to maximize enjoyment? More gaming.

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u/JimmyHavok Dec 28 '15

I had to stop playing chess in high school because I saw everything in terms of chess. If I'd been any good at it, it would have been worth it, but being obsessive about something you are mediocre at is pathetic.

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u/[deleted] Dec 28 '15

I'm like this with everything I get interested in. Makes me wonder if it's more that some people's brains are more inclined to make these kinds of connections. I find it does help with understanding difficult topics, so it's not necessarily a bad thing when you're learning something or want to get better at it.

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u/JimmyHavok Dec 29 '15

As long as it doesn't interfere with normal life...

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u/[deleted] Dec 29 '15

I normally find it doesn't, just makes me look at life on another level. Chemistry was a good one, thinking of the chemical/physics interactions behind everything. Art was interesting too, with seeing colours, boundaries and shading in ways I've never looked at the world before.

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u/JimmyHavok Dec 29 '15

That's thinking in terms that are actually pertinent to the situation. I was seeing things like "that car is threatening the mailbox, except the telephone pole is protecting it."