Playing Tetris Can Ease Addictions to Sex, Drugs And Food

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Plymouth (Devon, UK) has shown the videogame Tetris can assist in beating addictions. According to the study, playing Tetris for just three minutes at a time can significantly reduce cravings for drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, and even sex and sleeping.

In the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Addictive Behaviors, the authors wrote that playing the game could help people to manage their cravings. They recommend additional research.


"Playing Tetris decreased craving strength for drugs, food and activities from 70% to 56%. This is the first demonstration that cognitive interference can be used outside the lab to reduce cravings for substances and activities other than eating," said Jackie Andrade, a professor at the School of Psychology and the Cognition Institute, Plymouth University.




"We think the Tetris effect happens because craving involves imagining the experience of consuming a particular substance or indulging in a particular activity," Andrade added. "Playing a visually interesting game like Tetris occupies the mental processes that support that imagery; it is hard to imagine something vividly and play Tetris at the same time."

As the researchers noted, the impact of Tetris on craving was consistent on all craving types and the effect did not seem to diminish over time.

This is not the first time Tetris received attention from the academic community. Two years ago, Canadian doctors at Montreal's McGill University discovered that the game could help treat lazy eye.
Source: Here