Video games have been around since the late 1900s. They have changed the ways of entertainment, education, and even communication. Gaming is a fun hobby—or sometimes profession—that can bring people from around the world together. But that is not the only benefit it has. Studies have shown that there are many benefits to gaming:

Distraction from Pain

People who are ill or who have been injured can find themselves distracted from their pain and discomfort through the absorption of gaming. In fact, there are many hospitals around the world that are encouraging children and others who undergo painful treatments to play video games. Doing so is said to produce an analgesic (pain-killing) response in our higher cortical systems. They say that the more immersive the game is, the better. Perhaps the development virtual reality gaming systems will one day become standard treatment for injured persons.

Stress Relief

Gaming may not seem like something that relieves stress. I cannot count how many times I have rage-quit a game because a particular segment was so difficult. However, a study was conducted that measured the heart rate of gamers over the span of six months and found that certain games reduced their adrenaline response by over 50 percent.

Improves Decision Making And Reaction Times

Due to the constant display of new information during a game, especially when sudden quick-time-events are thrown at the player, gamers are forced to adapt quicker to the situation. During these moments, a player is actually improving their decision-making, hand-eye coordination and reaction time skills. In one study, gamers involved with fast-paced games were 25 percent faster in reacting to questions about an image they had just seen compared to non-players.

Develops Social Skills And Connections

Gamers are often labeled as the socially awkward, insulated nerd that rarely gets out of the house. But in actually the opposite is true. The rise of multiplayer online games have paved the way for a new form of socializing where players work together toward victory or to solve problems. Also, studies have shown that gaming can be a catalyst for creating and or gathering friends in person. At least 70 percent of all gamers have played among friends.

Could Help People Overcome Attention Deficit Disorders And Dyslexia

Some research points to attention difficulties as being a key component of, and contributor to, dyslexia. But gaming has been proven to help in improving reading comprehension and problems with focusing, particularly with the use of heavy action games that have constantly changing environments and require intense focus.

Helps Avoid Cravings

Whether you have a tendency to overeat, smoke or drink, gaming could actually help distract you from those desires. University students alone have shown to have a 24 percent decrease in their cravings after playing just a simple puzzle game. This comes as no shock to me since every time I start gaming, my mind completely focuses on the controller and the gameplay.

Slows the Aging Process

As you age, your brain deteriorates. That is, if you do not keep it stimulated. Strategic or puzzle games that involve problem-solving and memory components have been shown to positively benefit older players. One study with participants 50 and older, proves that just 10 hours of gaming led to a long-lasting increase in cognitive functioning. Gaming may not stop the aging process, but it can help older generations keep their minds sharp.

Develops Interest in History

Many games use actual historical events in their plots. Take the Assassin's Creed games for example, which take place and mention events from the 6th century BC to today. Researchers and parents have said that the characters, places, events discussed in historical-driven games encourage children to discover more about the culture they find themselves immersed in. These kind of games spark an interest in today’s youth and urge them to learn more about history.

Some people worry that gaming negatively affects people’s lives. Although it can be quite absorbing and addicting, gaming done in moderation can bring about many more advantages than one initially thought. So get out a controller, because it's time to reap those gaming benefits.

To read more about the benefits of gaming, read: "Advantages and Disadvantages of Gaming" and "Cognitive Benefits of Playing Video Games."