Scientific discovery: video games reduce stress at a physiological level, despite subjective feelings

A new study by German scientists Gary Wagener, Andre Schulz and Andre Melzer has demonstrated the paradoxical effect of video games on stress levels. In an experiment involving 82 people aged 18-40, it was found that a 30-minute gaming session of A Plague Tale: Requiem consistently reduced physiological indicators of stress, including cortisol levels and heart rate, regardless of whether the participants played violent or calm episodes.



Interestingly, the subjective feelings of the participants were radically at odds with the objective data. Players who played tense scenes complained of increased discomfort, while those who played peaceful episodes noted an improvement in their condition. Scientists explain this contradiction by the complex impact of the gaming process, including mechanisms for distraction from stress factors, virtual self-affirmation and therapeutic escapism.

The authors emphasize that the identified effect requires further study on different game genres, although it is already possible to talk about the universal ability of video games to regulate physiological stress. The study is especially relevant in the context of ongoing discussions about the impact of games with elements of violence on mental health, demonstrating their unobvious therapeutic potential.