It is possible to control cravings of all sorts, from food to alcohol, cigarette smoking an even sex, in a fun way. Researchers recently found out that playing Tetris — yes, that popular block-stacking and shifting puzzle game — for at least three minutes, can help reduce compulsive cravings.
The study was reportedly intended to uncover the game's impact on food cravings. However, the team of psychologists at Queensland University of Technology and Plymouth University found out that it also had an effect on other cravings.
The study was featured in the Addictive Behaviors journal, according to Tech Times. A researcher from Plymouth, Jackie Andrade, together with her colleagues examined the data gathered from the experiment, which composed of 31 undergraduate students.
The students, ages between 18 and 27 years old, were given iPods loaded with Tetris. They were asked to play the game in the course of seven days.
The participants were monitored through text messaging. Aside from the researchers checking with them seven times throughout the day, they were also advised to proactively report the cravings even without the prompt.
30 percent of the reported cravings pertain to food and non-alcoholic beverages. 21 percent reportedly showed hankering for substances, such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee, while 16 percent was for sex, sleeping, playing video game and socialization.
Half of the group was directed to play Tetris when they experience any urges, while half acted as a control group, as per the report of the Weekly Observer. The feedback report showed that the effects of Tetris apparently reduced the intensity of the cravings by 56 to 70 percent.
Based on the results, the researchers concluded that the game could be an effective approach to fight off cravings. I4U News has learned that they labelled Tetris as an ideal tool that reduces cravings and addictions without other healthy replacements.
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