For years, the debate has raged: do violent video games make people more aggressive? The answer, as with most things in life, is likely more nuanced than a simple yes or no. A recent study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior throws a curveball into the mix, suggesting that playing violent video games might actually decrease stress hormones in some players. Stress Busters: Cortisol Takes a Dive The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester, involved 70 participants who were randomly assigned to play either a violent video game or a non-violent game for 20 minutes. Before and after playing, the researchers measured the participants' cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. The results? The group playing the violent game showed a significant decrease in cortisol levels compared to the group playing the non-violent game. This suggests that, for some people at least, violent video games can have a calming effect. Tes...
