Podcast Summary
Discovering the Impact of AI on Various Industries and Therapeutic Effects of Video Games: AI is revolutionizing industries and PTSD research shows Tetris can alleviate intrusive thoughts, while Apple Card offers practical financial benefits and the NFL schedule release excites fans
Artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future, transforming various industries including health care, retail, entertainment, and personal computing. Listen to Technically Speaking, an Intel podcast, to hear from industry leaders discussing the latest AI advancements. Meanwhile, on a different note, bonding over video games like Tetris can be therapeutic, and PTSD research suggests that playing Tetris can help reduce symptoms of intrusive thoughts. Apple Card, with its cashback rewards, is a practical financial tool, and the 2024 NFL season schedule release is an exciting event for football fans. These are just a few of the diverse topics discussed in the podcasts mentioned.
Tetris as a Therapeutic Tool for PTSD: Playing Tetris can help prevent or alleviate PTSD symptoms by occupying the mind and promoting problem-solving, potentially reducing anxiety and regaining control.
Tetris, a seemingly simple and entertaining game, has been found to have potential therapeutic applications, particularly in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a disorder that can arise after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, and is characterized by symptoms such as intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Children and adults can develop PTSD, and its symptoms can include disorganized or agitated behavior and flashbacks. Researchers at Oxford University have suggested that playing Tetris can help prevent or alleviate PTSD symptoms by occupying the mind and preventing the intrusion of distressing memories. The game's repetitive patterns and focus on problem-solving can help individuals regain a sense of control and reduce anxiety. The speaker shared a personal experience of becoming so engrossed in Tetris during a stressful time that they dreamt about it, highlighting the game's ability to absorb one's attention and provide a temporary escape from reality. While more research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of Tetris, it offers an intriguing possibility for using video games as a tool for mental health treatment.
Understanding PTSD in the Military: PTSD is a prolonged psychological condition affecting military personnel, causing intense flashbacks of traumatic events, impairing daily life, and ranging from 1-60% prevalence.
PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a psychological condition that involves experiencing intense, fully sensory flashbacks of traumatic events, often leaving individuals unable to function normally in their daily lives. Unlike a stress reaction, which may only last for a few days after a traumatic event, PTSD symptoms can persist for over a month and significantly impair a person's ability to work, interact with loved ones, and go about their daily activities. The military, particularly in the context of ongoing wars, has been identified as a major source of PTSD cases, with prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 60%. The Army is currently conducting a $50 million, 5-year study in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health to help commanders better understand the mental health of their troops and address the issue. The high prevalence of PTSD and its potential to negatively impact soldiers' lives, as well as the media attention drawn to cases of suicide and violence among returning service members, make it a priority for clinical treatment and prevention efforts.
Early intervention is crucial for effective PTSD treatment: Prompt application of cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure components, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can lead to better PTSD outcomes
When it comes to treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), early intervention is key. Just as it's more effective to clean a stain right away before it sets in, cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure components, whether real or imaginary, can be highly effective in managing PTSD if applied promptly. This can involve facing the trigger in real life, like a veteran attending a college with students of Middle Eastern descent, or through imaginary means, such as a therapist guiding a patient through a thought exercise or virtual reality treatment. A less conventional but also widely accepted approach is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which involves using eye movements to help the brain process traumatic memories more effectively. So whether it's through real-life exposure, imaginary scenarios, or EMDR, addressing PTSD as soon as possible can lead to better outcomes.
Exploring New Ways to Treat PTSD: EMDR, Morphine, and Tetris: EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help individuals process traumatic memories, morphine may reduce PTSD symptoms but comes with risks, Tetris could prevent PTSD by occupying the brain's working memory after a traumatic event.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a relatively new form of therapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1989, which helps individuals process traumatic memories by engaging the brain's hemispheres through bilateral stimulation. This can be achieved through eye movement, audio tones, or tactile sensations. Unlike traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, this external stimuli is intended to help the brain reorganize memories and reduce the occurrence of PTSD symptoms. However, it's important to note that EMDR is typically a multi-session process. Another early intervention to prevent PTSD involves the use of morphine. Studies suggest that prompt treatment with morphine can cut in half the chances of developing PTSD symptoms. However, this method comes with significant downsides, including memory impairment and potential addiction. An intriguing alternative approach is the use of video games, specifically Tetris. Research indicates that playing Tetris after a traumatic event can help prevent the intrusive memories associated with PTSD. This is believed to be due to the game's ability to occupy the brain's working memory and prevent the encoding of traumatic memories. While more research is needed, this method holds promise as a low-risk, accessible intervention for those at risk of developing PTSD.
Playing Tetris after a traumatic event may hinder memory formation: Playing Tetris after a traumatic event might help in the moment but could impair the ability to recall details later
The University of Oxford conducted a study in 2009 where they found that playing Tetris after experiencing a traumatic event can hinder the ability to form memories of the event. The researchers recruited 40 participants and showed them a violent film, followed by a 30-minute break where one group sat idle and the other played Tetris for 10 minutes. The results showed that the Tetris group had a harder time recalling details of the film compared to the idle group. This is because both the traumatic event and Tetris require the use of visual-spatial resources, and the brain can only focus on one thing at a time. So, while Tetris might be an effective way to distract oneself from a traumatic experience in the moment, it could potentially impair the ability to remember the details of the event later on.
Using video games to reduce flashbacks in PTSD patients: Playing Tetris for 30 minutes after watching a traumatic film can help reduce flashbacks in PTSD patients. Video games may also aid in addiction recovery.
Video games like Tetris have the potential to help reduce the occurrence of flashbacks in individuals with PTSD. Researchers discovered that after watching a traumatic film, those who played Tetris for 30 minutes had fewer flashbacks compared to those who sat quietly reflecting on the film. This finding is significant because the average wait time in an emergency room is also 30 minutes, and implementing this strategy could potentially help individuals in traumatic situations before they reach the hospital. Additionally, other studies have shown that video games can be effective in helping individuals overcome addictions, such as smoking. In one study, participants who played a game where they virtually crushed cigarettes had more long-term success in quitting smoking compared to those who did not play the game. However, it's important to note that not all individuals responded positively to the game, as some still visualized themselves collecting cigarettes. Overall, these studies suggest that video games could be a useful tool in mental health treatment and recovery.
Tetris: A Game with Therapeutic Benefits: Playing Tetris can provide therapeutic benefits, according to some people's experiences and studies.
Several people reported finding therapeutic benefits from playing the classic game Tetris. This revelation came from a casual discussion with coworkers about their experiences with games. The topic of therapeutic effects of games arose during a conversation about various studies on the subject. For those interested in this topic and thousands more, they can visit How Stuff Works for more information. The episode also mentioned a few other topics, such as the upcoming NFL season schedule release and the promotion for the movie "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." Additionally, there was a humorous segment about imagining a playground with various landscapes, including wine country, waves, redwood forests, ski slopes, and a shopping mall. Overall, the discussion touched on various topics, but the therapeutic benefits of playing Tetris stood out as a key takeaway.
