Gamers’ brains develop differently, and scientists just found out why

The cognitive and mental benefits of video games are gaining more and more recognition among scientists. A recent study from Western University found something remarkable: people who spend more than five hours a week playing a single type of game have cognitive abilities similar to those of people ten years younger. However, when it comes to mental health, the study didn’t find any significant difference.

Video games aren’t just about fun. They can also sharpen your memory and mental agility. This discovery comes from a collaboration between Western University and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. Presented during the Manchester Science Festival, the findings reveal that gaming has a positive effect on cognitive performance—but doesn’t necessarily improve mental health.

The Canadian study, aptly named “Brain and Body”, involved over 2,000 participants worldwide. Each person completed a lifestyle questionnaire, then played a series of online games designed to measure various aspects of cognition—including memory, attention, reasoning, and verbal skills. The results were clear: gaming boosts brain performance, even if it doesn’t directly influence emotional well-being.

Interestingly, those who played for five hours or more per week, focusing on a single game type, showed cognitive abilities equivalent to people 13.7 years younger. By contrast, those who played under five hours per week and switched between game genres showed abilities closer to someone just 5.2 years younger.

Mixed results for mental health

As Adrian Owen, professor at Western University, explains, playing video games is “associated with better cognitive performance, but not with improved or worsened mental health. On the other hand, more physical activity boosts mental health, without affecting cognitive ability.”

Older adults are gaming more than Gen Z

The researchers also looked into how exercise influences mental well-being. Participants who met—or even surpassed—the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 150 minutes of activity each week were 12% more likely to show no signs of depression and 9% more likely to report no symptoms of anxiety.

Notably, these improvements weren’t driven by people with severe conditions. Instead, physical activity had the most noticeable effects on participants with mild or no symptoms at all.

While many studies highlight the benefits of gaming, one surprising finding stood out: gamers over 45 actually play more than younger generations, including Gen Z. So, if you think gaming is just for teens, think again—our brains might be thanking us for those extra hours of play.