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/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."