Studies show Online Gaming reduces Stress

Those who are stressing out over a big interview or important test may be surprised to learn that a great way to overcome this anxiety is by casino gambling online. In fact, several recent university studies have proven that online gambling is a very effective way to lower stress levels. And we have findings from three interesting studies done on internet gambling from Oxford University, McGill University and Eastern Carolina University.

England’s Oxford University offered casino gamblers a 20-minute survey so that researchers could document behavioral issues associated with online gambling. In all, 4,125 people took the survey, and many of the results were encouraging for those who enjoy casino betting on the internet.

Oxford’s study found that those suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome can greatly benefit from gambling online because it gives them a chance to escape their worries and reduce stress. And since stress has a number of negative side effects such as headaches and eventual cancer (prolonged stress), occasional online gambling is healthy for certain individuals.

McGill University, which is located in Montreal, Canada, focused on the relationship between playing online casino poker and a hormone called cortisol. The cortisol hormone has a very close relationship to stress because it increases blood pressure and blood sugar, thus causing you to feel more anxiety.

However, the McGill researchers found that when people play online  casino poker, their cortisol levels drop by 17%, which also decreases feelings of stress. They concluded that cortisol drops in players because they are more concerned with winning the casino poker game, rather worrying about work or paying bills.

In addition to stress reduction, McGill also discovered that online poker can improve people’s memories and cognitive brain functions. In short, playing internet casino poker = better mental health.

While not gambling-specific, researchers at Eastern Carolina University did a study on the effects of playing recreational online video games. Their Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic worked together for a full year to observe a group of 134 participants in the study. The goal was to see how/if casual casino gaming had any effect on reducing anxiety and depression.

When the year was up, Eastern Carolina researchers found that playing video games in moderation worked to decrease depression and anxiety in 57% of the participants. Aside from this, the study also found that gaming can improve the overall mood of players.

As you can see from the results of the three studies, playing online casino games, and games in general, can go a long way to reducing stress and improving your mood. Of course, the key with online gambling, as with anything, is to do it in moderation.