HEADLINES Published August14, 2015 By Milafel Hope Dacanay

Tetris: The Secret to Control Addiction?

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There's a good reason why a person can develop cravings. The body and mind will look for them. But playing a game such as Tetris may help control them.

According to a new study conducted by the researchers of Queensland University of Technology and Plymouth University, the simple but highly addictive game can, interestingly, reduce a person's craving for almost anything by as much as one-fifth.

Initial studies on the role of Tetris, a tile-matching puzzle game developed by Russian Alexey Pajitnov, in easing cravings proved that it could decrease the need for certain types of food. In this recent research, however, the team discovered it's just as effective in smoking, alcohol, sex, drugs, and coffee. It can also have a similar effect on sleep and video game playing.


For the research, the team worked with more than 30 undergraduates with ages from 18 to 27. Each of them was provided with a gadget with an already downloaded Tetris app. Around 15 of the participants were required to play the game for about 3 minutes every time their cravings kicked in and report such craving and effect after each day.

Based on the self-reported data, the researchers then found out that the game curbed cravings for drugs, wine, beer, and coffee by as much as 21%. At least 21% also reported better control of smoking habits.

Overall, cravings went down by more than 15% from 70% once they started playing the game. During the entire duration of the experiment, which lasted for a week, cravings happened at least 28% of the time. The team also reported that the results have been consistent during the period.

As to why the game has shown this level of effectiveness, the team explained that it has something to do with imagery. For a person to need or crave for something, he or she needs to imagine the substance first. When a person plays, the same section of the brain is needed to visually process the game, leaving little room for a more vivid perception of the source of the craving. 

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