Online Gaming - A Stress Reducer

December 21, 2009 | Article Category: Casino Games

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Online gambling gets bad press from many areas, although the bad press is not necessarily fair. There are studies that are done regarding gambling addiction and other issues, and even though they show that online gambling is not harmful for most people, the industry continues to receive bad press.

A recent study untaken at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec, shows that online gaming can, in fact, be good for ones health. The study showed that generally, players feel less stressed after they have been playing online games, included in which are online casino games. The stress hormone, cortisol, dropped around 17 percent on average.

Some behavioral scientists consider that a drop in cortisol levels by as much as 17 percent is enough proof that online gaming may be a stress reducer for those who enjoy it, since it can drop cortisol levels to safer levels. In excess, stress is known to lead to many harmful behaviors, such as excessive eating and excessive drinking. Excessive eating and drinking can, in turn, cause people other problems, such as social instability, and can also lead to heart problems and other medical problems.

Another study in an Eastern Carolina University carried out a six month study, with 134 subjects. The findings of this study showed that computer games helped to generally boost the mood of those studied, and noted that stress was also reduced.

Another study, this time conducted in Oxford, showed that gaming could be helpful to those dealing with post traumatic stress syndrome.

The results may well be because players are able to relax because they use their gaming time as an escape from all the regular stressors that they normally have to deal with.

Informal research was done by an online casino, in which they polled a number of blackjack players. The results of the poll showed that 74 percent of the players polled felt that playing blackjack and other online casino games, was a great form of stress relief, and a good way to have fun. Those that felt that the game did not ease their stress levels were those that played for much higher stakes than those who enjoyed their online gambling time. In a similar poll conducted with roulette players, the results were similar, showing that 77 percent of online roulette players found that their stress levels were reduced after playing roulette online.

With so many diseases and health issues linked to stress nowadays, it is important that people find effective ways to relieve their stress. Effectively learning to reduce and manage stress, may well help people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.