The debate has raged on for years. So, are there any positive effects? Can video games actually make you smarter?

這個辯論已經持續進行很多年了。所以，到底有沒有任何正面影響呢？電動遊戲實際上能不能讓你更聰明呢？

Before we get ahead of ourselves, it's important to note that too much of anything is bad—even broccoli!

在我們繼續下去之前，請先知道任何東西過量都不好，就算是花椰菜也是！

Seriously. Extremely high doses of broccoli can actually be toxic. Heck, even water toxicity exists.

認真的。極大量的花椰菜攝取真的可能會有毒。說實話，連水中毒都存在。

So, if you binge and do nothing but play video games, the risks probably outweigh any benefits.

所以，如果你很放縱又什麼都沒做，只顧著打電動遊戲，那麼風險可能會大於任何好處。

In fact, we have an entire video devoted to what would happen if you stopped going outside and the negative effects of sitting. Link in the description.

事實上，我們有一整部影片專門在講如果你再也不外出會發生什麼事，還有坐著的負面影響。連結在下方描述欄裡。

Having said that, many studies have actually shown increases in cognitive function after playing video games.

話雖如此，很多研究其實已經指出，玩電動遊戲後認知能力會提升。

One study in particular had participants play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over two months.

其中一個特別的研究是讓受試者每天玩 30 分鐘的超級瑪利 64 超過兩個月。

Afterwards, the brains of these participants saw an increase of gray matter in areas associated with memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills of the hands compared to those who had not played.

研究後來發現，跟那些沒有玩電動的人比起來，這些受試者腦部某些區塊的灰質增加了，像是那些跟記憶、策略規劃以及手部的精細運動技巧有關的區塊。

These are particularly encouraging results for mental disorders which cause these brain regions to shrink...using video games as a therapy!

對於會造成這些腦部區塊萎縮的精神疾病，這結果特別鼓舞人心...用電動遊戲當作療法！

Surprisingly, action games can also increase attention to detail in individuals.

出乎意料的是，動作遊戲還可以增加個人對細節的專注力。

Take a look at the following words on screen and yell out what color the word is as fast as you can.

看看接下來螢幕上的字，然後盡你所能快速喊出那個字是什麼顏色。

So... green, blue, orange.

所以是... 綠色，藍色，橘色。

Okay, now try a bit faster without me.

好，現在試試在沒有我的情況下唸快一點。

As we continue, it becomes more difficult because there's a conflict between the word itself and its color.

當我們繼續下去，就變得越困難，因為字本身的意思和它的顏色不合。

Chances are if you play more than 5 to 10 hours of action games a week, you're able to solve these problems much more quickly.

如果你一個星期玩動作遊戲超過5到10小時，那麼你很有可能能夠更快解決這些問題。

This is because your brain is actually more efficient in the regions associated with attention.

這是因為你的腦部在和注意力相關的區域上會更有效率。

Of course, video games can also be incredibly educational.

當然，電動遊戲也可以非常具有教育性。

And while you may not be playing some of your favorite games for this purpose,

雖然你可能不是為了這個目的而玩一些你喜歡的遊戲，

there are certainly many games that are used as effective teaching tools for both young and old.

但確實有許多遊戲是具效果性的教學工具，用來教幼童和老年人。

They may even help kids who suffer from Dyslexia read more effectively.

這些遊戲甚至能幫助受閱讀障礙而苦的小孩讀得更有效率。

In a small study, dyslexic children who played regular video games ended up reading faster and more accurately.

在一項小型研究中，有固定在玩電動遊戲的閱讀障礙小孩，最後閱讀速度變得更快也更精確。

Once again, relating to improved attention skills.

再一次，這跟注意力能力的加強有關。

Meanwhile, other studies have found improvements in eyesight.

同時，其他研究發現視力也改善了。

Not only can they see smaller details more clearly, like tiny writing, but they have an easier time differentiating levels of grey.

他們不只能夠更清楚地看見較小的細節，例如細小的文字，也能更輕鬆地區分出不同層次的灰色。

Very practiced action gamers were 58% better at perceiving fine differences in contrast,

與一般人相較之下，非常熟練的動作遊戲玩家，察覺對比中細微差異的能力多了 58%，

which is important as this is one of the first things to diminish with age.

這很重要，因為這是隨著年齡增長最先減損的能力之一。

Even in the elderly, improved memory and focus is seen.

即使在老年人身上，也能看見記憶力和專注力的進步。

More importantly, specially designed brain-teasing video games have been shown to slow the aging process of the brain by up to seven years!

更重要的是，特別設計來刺激腦部的電動遊戲，已經顯示出能夠讓腦部老化的速度減緩七年！

This is because they are cognitively complex and require mental energy.

這是因為這些遊戲在認知上很複雜而需要精神能量。

Think you're able to keep track of what's in front of your eyes? Keep an eye on the blue circle here.

你認為自己能夠追蹤眼前的東西嗎？留意這裡的藍色圓形。

Eventually, it will turn yellow like all the others. I will then point to a circle and you tell me if it was originally blue.

最後它會變成和其他圓形一樣的黃色。然後我會指出一個圓，你告訴我它原來是不是藍色的。

If you knew this ball wasn't blue, then you're a functioning human being.

如果你知道這顆球不是藍色的，那你就是功能正常的人。

But let's make it harder. Staring at the middle of the screen can help to keep track of the blue circles.

但讓我們把它變得困難點。盯著螢幕中央可以幫助追蹤藍色圓形。

Was this circle originally blue?

這個圓形本來是藍色的嗎？

If you said "no", you'd be right.

如果你說「不是」，那你就對了。

One more time, but with five blue circles.

再來一次，不過有五個藍色圓形。

Was this one originally blue?

這一個本來是藍色的嗎？

Yep! It was.

沒錯！它是。

It turns out the average person can track about three to four objects, while practiced action gamers can track around six to seven.

結果發現，一般人可追蹤大約三至四個物體，然而熟練的動作遊戲玩家，卻能夠追蹤六至七個左右。

Finally, as technology continues to transform medicine, surgeries are being completed with the insertion of cameras and remote-controlled tools.

最後，隨著科技不斷改變醫學，相機的嵌入和遙控工具讓手術變得完善。

And these surgeries have very clear parallels to video games with a screen and a controlling device.

而這些手術和有螢幕及遙控裝置的電動遊戲有顯著的相似性。

Not surprisingly, young doctors with previous exposure to video games show fewer errors and faster completion than those without.

不意外地，比起沒有在打電動遊戲的年輕醫生，有在打的年輕醫生犯更少的錯誤，完成速度也更快。

Of course, all of these skills are only useful if you use them, which you can't if all you do is play video games.

當然，這所有的能力都只在你有使用的情況下才會有效，而如果你只是玩電動遊戲的話是沒辦法的。

So, enjoy your downtime and relax with your games in moderation,

所以，享受你的閒暇時間，並適度地用你的遊戲放鬆自己，

but get out there and keep your life diverse as well, because that's how you'll win at the game of life!

但也要走出遊戲世界讓你的生活同時也多采多姿，因為這就是你如何在人生遊戲中獲勝的方法！

Got a burning question you want answered? Ask it in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter.

你有重要又緊急的問題希望被回答嗎？可以在留言處或是 Facebook 和 Twitter 上問喔。

And if you want the inside scoop on upcoming episode ideas and behind-the-scenes, check out our personal Instagram and Twitter handles.

而如果你想要接下來的影片想法的內幕消息還有幕後花絮，請查看我們的個人 Instagram 和 Twitter 帳號。

And subscribe for more weekly science videos!

還有訂閱頻道來觀賞更多每週科學影片！