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[Golgo 13]

Dopamine is very complex. But yes, gaming “hijacks” your dopamine system for sure. When I’m doing some vigorous studying and I reward myself with some gaming, I notice that when I return to my studies it seems much harder to concentrate for long periods of time and I have a harder time getting into a “flow” state. And yes, this is a byproduct of the dopamine system resets that gaming can cause.

Andrew Huberman and John Vervaeke have both made comments about this. Does this mean you should never game? No. But be aware that there are some effects that could get in the way of some of your other goals, if not done in moderation.

 

[Edgelord79]

ive been reading some studies that basically say how gaming ruins our dopamine receptors and the reward system inside our brain

ive seen alot of people that say how they feel unmotivated and because in their mind their biggest achievement is getting the best gear , finishing a hard game like souls games but when it comes to their personal life they never went above average , they never felt to reach a higher place in their profesion , they never improved their health through diet or exercise

ive been gaming since i was around 8 years old , im 32 now and i dont think that my dopamine receptors are screwed

do you think that gaming stopped you from achieving more in life ?

Can you link to those studies? I find often that people don’t know how to interpret the conclusions in academic journals.

 

[PrimeTime]

I’m of the opinion that most everyone:

a) has some chemical imbalance
b) had some trauma that occurred in childhood (trauma can be anything that created an intense emotional experience from something as simple as being yelled at as a kid) which triggered that imbalance
c) does not deal with that imbalance but rather spends their lives living in distraction
d) can change/resove the chemical imbalance by working through the feelings/fears/etc.

Aside from b, the problem is c because our society never wants to or knows how to deal with anything on an emotional level and so the chemical imbalance basically runs everyone’s life creating “addictions”. Distractions, like gaming, provide chemical responses that become addictive or simply provide a temporary “fix” for the underlying problem.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I feel like they’re treating the “gamer” like a lab rat. It’s probably a lot easier to monitor today’s children since gaming has hit its super highs and it’s cringy lows. Some of us lived through the marketing gimmicks and the countless midnight launches. Finishing a campaign or playing multiplayer is done at a drop of a hat. So it’s like telling me I want to own a gun just because I bought Call of Duty for the 15th time in a row. I’ll look at you like you’re crazy.

I think I’m doing just fine. There was a point in my 20’s where I was a pre-med student and in nursing school. I failed nursing school and to be honest I found my calling because I failed. Games and Technology were always my favorite things to do. I would have rather played a game than work on my homework. I remember the games I played more than I do the nursing subjects during that time.

Honestly, I should have started off in the IT field sooner. I’m happier now, I make a good living, and I love my job. Listening to this “you need a career path and fewer games” would have led me to a life that wouldn’t have been enjoyable. I could have had a job I hated, but it would have been considered amazing by outsiders.

The biggest thing for a gamer in my opinion is understanding their priorities in life. Some people use that as a way to blame someone who enjoys video games. They won’t allow someone the time to enjoy a game. Maybe that’s what I take too personal. I’m in my mid to upper 30’s and I enjoy games. I appreciate cloud saves and portable gaming devices. I finish games in 1-3 weeks. For some people they only concentrate on gaming and nothing else. I put my job and my family before my hobbies. I don’t get told I can never watch films or read books. To me, a game is a way of entertainment. It gets weird when it’s taken out of context.

 

[Swift_Star]

These people clearly need a therapist

 

[nkarafo]

ive seen alot of people that say how they feel unmotivated and because in their mind their biggest achievement is getting the best gear , finishing a hard game like souls games but when it comes to their personal life they never went above average , they never felt to reach a higher place in their profesion , they never improved their health through diet or exercise

That's just depression because real life sucks.

I have that too. But games allow me to escape real life for a bit. So the problem isn't really the games themselves, it's just RL. Sure, games won't really fix your RL issues but they do work like anti-depressants.

 

[Fenix34]

For me games became a boring. In 18 i play often at this moment i return time to time. All will to me my gaming destroy tutorials in games
And similar action kill kill bring, take.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

Can someone please edit the title of this thread.

 

[Fredrik]

Are you fat?

I’m a PC gamer, don’t we all look like Henry Cavill?
No bouncy belly to play with yet, insides I have no knowledge of though.

 

[Drizzlehell]

I'm gaming every single day but I also hold a managerial position pretty successfully, and often go the extra mile in what needs to be done, plus I've been maintaining a pretty strict diet and exercise regimen for the past few years.

And I refuse to believe that I'm some kind of an anomaly, it's more likely that studies like this are plain old bullshit.

 

[The Cockatrice]

My life is below average but im above good in games so yeah?

 

[Slicker than your average]

I think there a bigger culprits for that with social media probably being high on top.

Remember that many high achievers have been and are know gamers, like Elon Musk.

Hahaha Christ.

It also helps if you have a rich daddy that funds your start up. Musk isn't a self made man; stop the unnecessary idolisation.

 

[Rendered Tangent]

You can say the same about anything.

Sex, fast cars, climbing mountains, gambling etc...

All can offer an addictive experience, and all can become an issue to one degree or another.

Like anything, moderation is usually the key.

Unfortunately, some people can't do things in moderation and they are the ones who end up as addicts.

 

[AV]

A lot of stuff in games is specifically designed to give you little dopamine hits, and that can fuck with you for sure. Look at the people who won't play games if they have achievements. Playing the game itself is no longer rewarding enough for them, they need the little notification and to see 1000/1000 in their profile to satisfy them.

 

[JimmyRustler]

Hahaha Christ.

It also helps if you have a rich daddy that funds your start up. Musk isn't a self made man; stop the unnecessary idolisation.

1. I don't idolize him and he was just an example and 2. a rich daddy doesn't change the fact that he works a lot and is very smart.

 

[Pegasus Actual]

Moderation in all things. Even masturbation.

 

[Fredrik]

If I can be serious for a bit I do think family routines and house duties and kids strolling about in the house when you planned to chop some heads will keep extreme gaming habits in check, longer gaming sessions kinda don’t exist anymore.
It’s the pre-family era that can get destructive if you aren’t a routine person by default.

 

[It's all in the wrist]

Hahaha Christ.

It also helps if you have a rich daddy that funds your start up. Musk isn't a self made man; stop the unnecessary idolisation.

OP, I'll tell you what does fuck up your dopamine levels: weed. Makes all this other fun stuff seem trivial.

Everything in moderation is a good guideline.

 

[levyjl1988]

The most genuine and authenticate gaming experience I’ve ever experienced was in games like Dragon Age: Origins, Halo 3, Reach, Alice Madness Returns, Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Dark Souls, Dead Space, Resident Evil 6, etc.

These games push was through narrative, genuine unlocks through skill or discovery, no monetization, content is through expansions instead of piece meal dlc. If felt substantial and well deserved.

Games these days give only quick fixes through skins but it feels shallow, no accompany content of value, only aesthetic. It doesn’t feel like they tried. Too much monetizations disrupted and destroyed any interest I’ve had for it.

 

[Belthazar]

I think there a bigger culprits for that with social media probably being high on top.

Remember that many high achievers have been and are know gamers, like Elon Musk.

Oh yeah, the self-made Elon Musk.

 

[Danknugz]

in a sense, yes, but it depends. back in the days of quake2 I basically had the equivalent of a 24-7 IV drip of dopamine playing deathmatch so much, and I was in college. i didn't get as much sleep as I should have, and combined with partying it really affected my studies.

I still got my degree and graduated, strangely, the people i know who dropped out actually weren't really into games and were the kinds of friends you show games to.

 

[Slicker than your average]

1. I don't idolize him and he was just an example and 2. a rich daddy doesn't change the fact that he works a lot and is very smart.

He comes up with ideas some trash tier some good. He pays very smart people to come up with them and implement them.

Remember his cyber truck?
Remember his submarine that was gonna save some kids?
Remember him telling Ukraine to give up their country?
Remember him telling tiawan to give up their country?
Elon smart. Yes.
Imo the man's a clown with too much money and a big mouth.
Point being he's a terrible example.

 

[Humdinger]

I agree with those who are saying that

1. Yes, it can happen if you do it excessively, or if you do it to escape your problems.

2. The same can be said for many other activities (cellphones, social media, TV, the news, etc.). Gaming seems to be the red-headed stepchild of the media world, so it's a frequent target.

3. The media is terrible at reporting science. What you often get is distorted, exaggerated headlines and a report that misinterprets or distorts the actual research. Sometimes there isn't even any actual research, just some "expert" giving an opinion or conjecture. I suspect the latter is probably the case here, as measuring dopamine levels in the brain over time, in a controlled experiment, is quite complicated.

4. Some games are worse at this than others, e.g., GaaS, MMOs.

 

[Amiga]

I love the rush, but my dopamine sensors are picky. Few games like Hades and Returnal can set them off at a good rate.

 

[Astral Dog]

yes i love gaming for this reason

 

[Fbh]

Eh, I think strictly speaking almost everything modern screws with our brain in some form or another. Our brains weren't designed for movies, internet, social media, books, videogames, porn, money, etc.

With that said, if it had some severe effect on it, it should get worse over time. Yet for most people (at least that I've spoken to) gaming becomes less important over time as they grow older and things like family, career and self improvement become more important. I'm the same, I definitely gave gaming too much importance in my teens and early twenties and if I could go back it'd definitely spent some of that time and energy on other things. Though while there's now more important stuff in my life gaming remains a hobby I enjoy a lot.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Nah, It’s just a segment of the Zoomers who only know videogames and social media. They lack social and basic life skills, and are coddled by their parents.
They’ve been allowed to sit locked away in their bedrooms playing games all day long, instead of going outside, learning life skills, or doing things with their family.

They lack motivation period. Has nothing to do with videogames, but rather not getting a kick in the ass to better themselves. Playing videogames in fine, but their needs to be limits, and other hobbies/interests.

 

[JimmyRustler]

He comes up with ideas some trash tier some good. He pays very smart people to come up with them and implement them.

Remember his cyber truck?
Remember his submarine that was gonna save some kids?
Remember him telling Ukraine to give up their country?
Remember him telling tiawan to give up their country?
Elon smart. Yes.
Imo the man's a clown with too much money and a big mouth.
Point being he's a terrible example.

People say stupid shit sometimes. I’m sure Newton himself would have said stupid shit in this day and age... And he was prolly one of the smartest guys that have ever lived.
Heard a couple of podcasts with Elon him and that guy is smart a fuck.

The only clown here is you.

 

[01011001]

People say stupid shit sometimes. I’m sure Newton himself would have said stupid shit in this day and age... And he was prolly one of the smartest guys that have ever lived.
Heard a couple of podcasts with Elon him and that guy is smart a fuck.

The only clown here is you.

he is smart but he's basically the Peter Molyneux of the tech world, even worse actually because he deliberately lies while I feel like Molyneux actually tried to do the shit he promised.

Musk is a scam artist, he knows fully well that many of the things he announces and promises are completely unrealistic either as a concept or the deadline he gives to achive it.

 

[Slicker than your average]

People say stupid shit sometimes. I’m sure Newton himself would have said stupid shit in this day and age... And he was prolly one of the smartest guys that have ever lived.
Heard a couple of podcasts with Elon him and that guy is smart a fuck.

The only clown here is you.

You just compared Elon to Newton.

Think who Is Ronald. Its not me.

 

[ChoosableOne]

I'm gaming every single day but I also hold a managerial position pretty successfully, and often go the extra mile in what needs to be done, plus I've been maintaining a pretty strict diet and exercise regimen for the past few years.

And I refuse to believe that I'm some kind of an anomaly, it's more likely that studies like this are plain old bullshit.

It sounds like you work as an assistant to the regional manager

 

[Drizzlehell]

It sounds like you work as an assistant to the regional manager

Team leader in a software company.

But nice try, smartass.

 

[ChoosableOne]

Team leader in a software company.

But nice try, smartass.

I didn't doubt your position, just Schrute came to my mind while reading it.

 

[Drizzlehell]

I didn't doubt your position, just Schrute came to my mind while reading it.

Oh, okay. I guess your post sounded a bit condescending but apparently I was mistaken. My bad.

 

[Whitecrow]

Let me ask Pewdiepie or Ninja how bad they life became because videogames.

You dont know if they are truly happy or feel fullfilled. All you know is that they have money.