Poison kills poison. Iron cuts iron. And now the new one addiction kills addiction! According to a study carried out by researchers from Plymouth University and Queensland University of Technology in Australia, people who played the classic game of Tetris had reduced craving for cigarettes. And not only Tetris you can play any game like Candy Crush for that matter. The point is, the game should be visually interesting and changing.
The study involved a sample size of 31 students between the ages of 18 to 27. These students were asked to note the frequency and intensity of any kind of craving (nicotine, food, etc.) they felt. Half of them were given an iPad upon which they could play Tetris, whereas the other half were asked to struggle with their cravings. After 15 minutes, when checked, the group involved in playing Tetris reported 20 percent less craving for cigarettes than those who weren’t playing. Scientists attribute this decrease in craving to the mental process involved in playing Tetris. According to them the same process is also involved in controlling and satisfying cravings.
Professor Jackie Andrade of Plymouth University expressed her opinion as, “We think the Tetris effect happens because craving involves imagining the experience of consuming a particular substance. 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.” So the next time you feel a craving for something you know isn’t good for you and your health, just grab your smart phone and start playing Candy Crush or Tetris!
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