Boost Your Brain

We support people through one-to-one gaming connections. We’re not therapists, but we’re training to be. And we’ve seen just how powerful gaming can be for focus, motivation, connection, and confidence.

But one question comes up time and time again:

“Is gaming actually good for your brain?”

It’s a fair question. And rather than rely on anecdote or opinion, we turned to the science, specifically, a 2020 review published in Behavioural and Brain Functions.

This study looked at how everyday commercial video games (not specialist training tools or brain-training apps) impact real, measurable cognitive functions like attention, memory, and problem-solving.

Here’s what the research shows and how it connects to the work we do.

The review explored three key questions:

Can commercial video games enhance cognitive function?

Do different types of games support different areas of the brain?

How do personal factors, like age, gender, or gaming experience—affect the outcome?

The researchers reviewed dozens of studies on gaming and cognition to get a clear, evidence-based view, not just of what’s possible, but of what actually holds up under scrutiny.

Cognitive Gains Are Real (But Specific)

The review found strong evidence that video games can improve certain types of thinking, particularly the skills that match the demands of the game. 

These include:

Selective attention (focusing on key information in busy environments)

Visual-spatial awareness (processing what’s happening around you)

Working memory (holding and manipulating short-term information)

Task-switching (moving flexibly between different goals or ideas)

In short, if a game challenges a certain area of thinking, that part of the brain can get stronger with time. But, and this is important, those improvements tend to stay within the task being practised.

So, a game that helps you react more quickly on screen probably won’t improve your long-term memory or verbal reasoning. The benefits are real, but they’re also specific.

Not all games offer the same benefits. The type of game you play matters and so does what you’re practising in the process.

For example:

Action games are often linked to improvements in attention, quick decision-making, and spatial awareness.

Strategy games tend to support planning, multi-tasking, and the ability to think several steps ahead.

Puzzle games challenge pattern recognition and logic, while simulations or open-world games can offer opportunities for decision-making, memory recall, and sometimes even empathy or moral reflection.

Each genre supports different mental skills, depending on what the player is doing, how often they’re doing it, and how much the game keeps them engaged and thinking.

The study also reminds us not to overstate the case. Gaming has real, evidence-backed benefits, but they’re not universal or unlimited.

Many of the improvements seen are tied closely to the specific demands of the game

Real-world transfer (where skills gained in games help in daily life) is still under investigation

Individual differences, like age, gender, and past gaming experience, affect how much someone might benefit

Expectation plays a role too. If someone believes gaming will help them, they may perform better, regardless of the game

That’s why we always position Your Side Quest as an addition to care, not a replacement for it. We work alongside therapy, community support, education, and other services to provide something that’s often overlooked: meaningful, human connection through shared play.

At Your Side Quest, we’re not here to replace therapy, and we never will be. But we do believe gaming has real value as part of a wider wellbeing toolkit. This research backs that up.

Gaming offers more than a temporary distraction.

It can:

Support emotional regulation in low-pressure environments

Build confidence through mastery and achievement

Encourage focus and persistence through challenge and feedback

Provide routine, structure, and connection for those who may be isolated

Create space for communication and collaboration, especially for those who struggle in traditional social settings

We’ve seen how powerful gaming can be when it’s used with intention. For some, it’s a stepping stone to reconnecting with the world. For others, it’s a consistent, safe space to be seen, heard, and supported.