Late Night Gaming Tweaks The Brain

An anonymous reader writes "Science Blog reports that new research suggests late-night PC gaming tweaks your body's biological clock and melatonin levels, potentially leading to a class of terminally tired techies." According to the survey from the Akita University School Of Medicine in Japan, "performing an exciting video display terminal task fitted with a bright display suppresses the nocturnal changes in melatonin concentration and other elements of our biological clocks. In other words.. [it] might just be the physiological cause of a poor night's sleep."

Comments

That's a big 10-4

[ArmorFiend]

When I was addicted to starcraft, I'd play till 4 in the morning, then toss and turn in bed till dawn. Perhaps screen brightness contributed. The excitement also hurt -- I was thinking about the game even when I was lying down. I think muscle tenseness, especially on my off-mouse shoulder, was the main culprit.

sweet

[austad]

So sitting in front of my monitor until 10pm is like going to bed at 2am. Now when my employer makes me work late and I'm more tired than I should be the next day, I can blame it on them. :)

porn. no, seriously.

[kilonad]

I wonder if looking at porn would have the same effect as playing a computer game. They're both excitatory activities on a bright computer monitor. Mods: don't mod me down, I'm being serious, not funny.

my ass is hot ...

[PaganRitual]

if i learn nothing else from a report that only had 7 test subjects (and quite frankly you cant, except maybe about their particular cases), i now know that doing 'exciting tasks' on the computer late at night raises my 'rectal temperature' ... now i have a great excuse as to why i dont wear pants when i game late at night

"this game of ET in the balance and my ass got warm, so i had to take my pants off, mum. no, i dont how that bunch of sticky tissues got on the floor there either"

Solution.

[OwnerOfWhinyCat]

Someone needs to invent two over the counter drugs to counter these effects.

1) A morning beverage with a central nervous system stimulant. Preferably served hot for those in cold climates.

2) A mellow tasty central nervous system depressant that goes well with pizza and will help you get a good nights sleep.

Wait a minute...

A good's night sleep?

[Tarison]

According to the article, the participants had their rectal temperature taken every two minutes between 2300 and 0200. I'd suggest reevaluating the test subjects if they DIDN'T sleep well.

Re:porn. no, seriously. (serious reply)

[Recoil_42]

im thinking no. why? because its totally different, brain wise. games require you to concentrate, be aware of your surroundings, and to track enemy movements... remeber that scientists are usign gaming to help treat ADHD/ADD. Gaming requires a really active brain, whether you notice or not.... ie; in counter-strike, what are you tracking with your brain? -where you are -where the last enemy you saw is -nearby chokehold/stronghold points -nearby allies -the bomb sites (or similar) -number of players left (roughly) on each side. -what weapon you are using, and how much ammo (roughly) you have left. etc... trust me; its almost a buzz when i play CS at 4 in the morning; so tired, but the game forces you to be awake... its strange. porn, on the other hand, requires none of that deep thought... i mean... obviously.... :P

Rectal temperature?

[Mostly Monkey]

"Rectal temperature was recorded at two-minute intervals during each task. "

No wonder their bodies didn't produce as much melatonin. They were probably in Fight or Flight mode!