[ALL] Gamers who play for hours 'prone to hallucinations'

[MrBill]

Interesting article. Not sure that I agree with all of the science but I might be biased.

Gamers who play for hours 'prone to hallucinations'
By Scott Campbell
8:02AM GMT 08 Jan 2014

Gamers who play for hours are prone to hallucinations and seeing distorted versions of reality, according to a new study.

Respondents reported seeing "distorted versions of real world surroundings" and "misinterpreted real life objects" after they had stopped playing. Others said that game menus appear in front of their eyes during conversations.

The study, compiled from responses by 483 forum users, explored the concept of “game transfer phenomena” – experiences where players’ perceptions, cognitions and behaviours are influenced by images seen while gaming.

Among the categories of experience recorded were "multisensorial", for example hearing video game music, and "retinal sensations" when players see "game elements intermittently or episodically in the back of the eyelids".

Some gamers told scientists at Nottingham Trent University’s International Gaming Research Unit that they see "coloured images" and "heads up displays" while driving on the motorway.

Sarah Rice, spokeswoman for the RAC, said: “Having your cognitive and response mechanisms fully functioning is a vital component of being safe when in control of a vehicle, both for your own wellbeing and that of other road users.

“Hallucinations of any kind while driving are, therefore, clearly a cause for concern. As video games are an increasingly popular past-time, we would welcome further insight into this issue to understand any potential risks for motorists.”

Researchers said that looking at visual stimuli for an extended period of time can cause "ghost images", which are sometimes uncomfortable for those experiencing them.

In extreme cases, the images may cause gamers to think irrationally and question their own mental health or perform impulsive behaviours. Other players reportedly thought the experiences were ‘fun’ and tried to induce them deliberately.

Psychologist Angelica Ortiz de Gortari, who led the research, told the Telegraph: “The majority of gamers surveyed have reported that they play intensively so not everybody will experience these perceptions. However, some players can play a game intensively and it may not have any effect. It’s about their susceptibility.

“It can be dangerous in certain circumstances. This is why it’s important to take breaks after playing and this is why we need to investigate.”

 

[christguz]

the worst i've ever gotten were little white spots in my vision.

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Ive had some very fun sometimes lucid dreams from long playing sessions. You aint dreamt until youve been chased by Locusts or had a portal gun.
I would imagine these hallucinations are the same as seeing hobbits after a LOTR:EE marathon.

 

[Swarley]

I've had my fair share of long gaming sessions but I've never had anything like this. All that happens is my eyes can't focus on things on the TV anymore.

 

[Twigg4075]

LOL. Yeah, I've never had a problem with this and I've had my fair share of marathon gaming sessions in my 30+ years of gaming.

 

[Sacrafice]

Wouldn't it be the same as fixing ur eyes on tv or anything really for extended periods of time? What about those pictures that are brain teasers that make you see something that ain't there or burn an image you see for a short period of time. My opinion is it's just more anti-gaming propaganda.

 

[Glenbino]

I totally agree with this..

I had some sauteed mushrooms and steak last night before I fired up NBA 2k14 and about an hour in I had to put the game down because some REALLY weird shit started happening.

I couldn't shake the feeling for like 6 hours, and eventually wound up staring at the walls and giggling until I fell asleep eventually.

Needless to say, I think one game of virtual basketball a day is my limit.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

 

[christguz]

I totally agree with this..

I had some sauteed mushrooms and steak last night before I fired up NBA 2k14 and about an hour in I had to put the game down because some REALLY weird shit started happening.

I couldn't shake the feeling for like 6 hours and wound up just staring at the walls and giggling until I fell asleep eventually.

Needless to say, I think one game of virtual basketball a day is my limit.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

Sounds like someone took shrooms haha