What League of Legends Does to Your Brain (It's Not What You Think)

Summary

This video explores the surprising cognitive benefits of playing *League of Legends*, showing how it can enhance reaction time, decision-making, and overall brain function. By engaging in complex tasks like farming minions and reacting quickly to in-game events, players strengthen their cognitive abilities through neuroplasticity. Scientific studies suggest that professional LoL players have faster reaction times, higher IQs, and better cognitive flexibility than the average person. Ultimately, LoL is not just a game—it's a tool for cognitive development, pushing players' brains to perform at their highest capacity.

Takeaways

• 😀 *League of Legends* is a cognitively demanding game that requires players to make split-second decisions, enhancing cognitive abilities like attention and decision-making.
• 😀 The brain has the ability to change and adapt through a process called neuroplasticity, which is strengthened by challenging tasks like playing *League of Legends*.
• 😀 Professional *League of Legends* players have reaction times as fast as 100-120 milliseconds, comparable to elite professionals like fighter pilots and Formula 1 drivers.
• 😀 Playing *League of Legends* can improve cognitive functions such as attention, perception, reaction time, executive functions, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• 😀 The game involves complex mental tasks like tracking minions, adjusting positions, and calculating damage, which require constant cognitive effort.
• 😀 Missing a minion while farming under the tower in *League of Legends* can cause players to assess and adjust their cognitive processes to avoid future mistakes.
• 😀 The brain forms and strengthens synaptic connections during gameplay, which enhances neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility.
• 😀 Research shows a correlation between playing *League of Legends* and improved cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to switch between tasks and adapt to new information.
• 😀 *League of Legends* players tend to have higher-than-average IQs, although this correlation is still being debated and may be influenced by sample size and other factors.
• 😀 A study found that *League of Legends* players tend to be in the 98th percentile for cognitive performance on complex tasks, outperforming the average population.
• 😀 *League of Legends* is more than just a game; it serves as a tool for improving cognitive abilities and mental processing, potentially offering a unique way to enhance brain function.

Q & A

What is neuroplasticity, and how does it relate to playing League of Legends?

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to experiences. Playing League of Legends involves constant cognitive challenges, which can enhance neuroplasticity by forcing the brain to adapt and improve its processing abilities, like attention, reaction time, and decision-making.

How does playing League of Legends impact cognitive flexibility?

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between tasks and adapt to new information. Research shows that players with higher cognitive flexibility tend to achieve higher ranks in League of Legends, suggesting that the game helps train this skill by requiring constant adjustments and decision-making in complex, dynamic scenarios.

What specific cognitive abilities are improved by playing League of Legends?

Playing League of Legends has been shown to improve several cognitive abilities, including reaction time, attention, executive functions, problem-solving, and decision-making. The game's fast-paced and complex nature requires players to constantly process information and make quick decisions.

How does the game challenge players' cognitive abilities?

League of Legends challenges players in various ways, such as managing multiple tasks at once, like farming minions, positioning, timing attacks, and reacting to enemy actions. Players also need to adapt to changing situations and outthink their opponents, making it a cognitively demanding experience.

Why is reaction time considered a key metric for cognitive performance in gaming?

Reaction time is critical in many fast-paced situations, like competitive gaming, where milliseconds can determine the outcome. Players in esports, including League of Legends, often have faster reaction times than the average person, which is linked to improved cognitive processing and motor skills.

What did the study about reaction time and League of Legends players reveal?

The study showed that esports players, including League of Legends players, have reaction times that are faster than the average person. Specifically, their reaction times fall under 200 milliseconds, which is comparable to professionals like fighter pilots and Formula 1 drivers.

How does the personal experience of the speaker contribute to the video's credibility?

The speaker adds credibility by sharing their personal background in physical therapy and medical studies, which provides a solid understanding of human anatomy and cognitive functions. This gives the viewer confidence that the insights shared are backed by real expertise rather than just anecdotal opinions.

What evidence was provided to support the idea that playing League of Legends improves reaction time?

The speaker references studies and tests showing that esports players, including League of Legends players, have faster reaction times. One study found that professional players' reaction times are comparable to those of fighter pilots and Formula 1 drivers, all of whom require high-speed decision-making skills.

What was the main finding of the study on cognitive flexibility in League of Legends players?

The study found that there is a positive correlation between higher rankings in League of Legends and greater cognitive flexibility. Players who are more cognitively flexible are better able to switch between tasks and adapt to new information, which is crucial for success in the game.

What are some criticisms of the study about League of Legends players' IQ?

The study suggesting that League of Legends players have higher IQs was criticized due to its small sample size (only 50 players per game) and the lack of information about the players' ranks. These factors make it difficult to generalize the results, thus lowering the trustworthiness of the study.