Yes, video games can trigger an adrenaline response. The release of adrenaline is triggered by stressors, and these include physical threat, fear, excitement, risky behaviors, bright lights, noise, and high temperatures. So the excitement from video games can trigger an adrenaline response.
The adrenaline response is part of the fight or flight response, which is activated by stressors. In the case of playing video games, excitement is the stressor which sets the adrenaline response in motion. So excitement from video games leads to the simultaneous activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) system.
When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it activates smooth muscles and glands throughout the body, via neural connections. What occurs is that your heart rate increases, your blood pressure increases, your pupils dilate, your sweat glands perspire, your muscles tense up, and your gastrointestinal system slows down. In addition, the sympathetic nervous system activates the adrenal medulla (located in the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys) to release adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Adrenaline and noradrenaline are “stress” hormones which make the body stronger, faster, and more alert and vigilant.
The HPA system is also activated by the excitement of video games. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and signals the pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then signals the adrenal cortex, in the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys, to release cortisol. Cortisol is another “stress” hormone, and is responsible for increasing blood glucose and suppressing the immune system.
So the excitement from playing video games activates the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA system, which culminates in the adrenal response with the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the adrenal medulla, and the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. In addition, the sympathetic nervous system also activates glands and smooth muscle, which also contribute to the fight or flight response, making the body stronger, faster, and more alert.
So when video games are played for enjoyment and fun, then it can be associated with a positive stress, also called eustress. However, with excessive playing of video games, then it can be associated with negative stress, also called distress. Distress occurs when your adrenaline response is chronically activated from frequent and intense video game playing. So your body starts to feel the multiple physical anxiety symptoms from the activation of the adrenaline response, such as irritability, poor concentration, fatigue, disrupted sleep, appetite changes, headache, and muscle tension.
Thus, chronic and intense video game playing leads to distress, where your body mounts a chronic adrenaline response. The physical symptoms of anxiety that result are a signal to you that you are overwhelmed and not able to cope with the stressor of chronic video game playing.
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I’ve been gaming since I was 13. In 1997 is when I started with MMOs and FPS games. I am no slouch, even to this day I still maintain my 18 years of muscle and brain memory. I often trigger my F or F response when I am in “tryhard” mode – as in sitting at 0 deaths and extremely fearful for my life yet still being aggressive – 1 death will ruin X and it is treated as my only life (In games like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty vs real online players. I know when its triggered because I start shaking with cold sweats of nervousnsess before it starts (much like before the chess tournaments I played at the same time as gaming). During, I feel warm and sweaty with intense focus and mindfulness of the surroundings and other players. This leads to me being heads and shoulders above the casual player in terms of score.
Now as a negative. I smoke to release this pressure, and I started going bald mid 20s (with good genes from my parents and no balding in either sibling).
Thats my 2 cents as a sweaty tryhard gamer since 1997.
Dear Evil,
Thank you for your insights on how you utilize your fight or flight response to your advantage for highly competitive video game play. And you also note the negative effects of this highly stressed state that your body endures.
Hi. Doing a experiment about this topic and need some help.
Hello Tyler. Would be happy to help. Please message me on https://twitter.com/carandangcarlo or https://www.facebook.com/carlocarandangbook or https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlocarandang
Bradford was here
Welcome!
My child is 9 and this happens to him whe playing, he loves his video game time and we limit it to weekend days. He gets agitated to the point that his body temperature rises past 100. Any tips on how to allow him to play but help him to subdue this response?
If your child is getting so stressed that he gets agitated and has hyperthermia, then this is a red flag. It is a signal that your child is not able to cope with the stress demands brought about by gaming. I recommend that you take your child to see his pediatrician for a medical evaluation and also a behavioral consultation.
Hi i was wondering why when ever i played video games such as CS;GO or Smite or any Highly competitive game my body get Really hot and is there any way to prevent this from happening i’m in 9th grade and have always wondered why this happens to me
Whenever people are playing competitively, it triggers the fight or flight response, and this leads to increased heart rate and increased metabolism, which is needed to increase the energy requirements to compete competitively. So it’s a natural response to get hyperthermia. But if you are really concerned about it, please visit with your doctor for a full medical evaluation.
When I playe league of legends and there’s a team fight going down and I have to make sure I’m doing my job but then I start to shake and sometimes can’t click when I have to and i mess up how can I avoid the shaking
The shaking and trembling can be a symptom of the activated fight or flight response. If this is the case, then it may help you to reduce your overall stress levels (even if you don’t feel like you are stressed), by engaging in relaxation strategies: https://anxietyboss.com/anxiety-treatments/relaxation-strategies/
May I have some links supporting the claims you made in this article?
Hello, video games trigger a stress response, as detailed in the following link: https://anxietyboss.com/what-is-stress/. Video games can induce a positive, or good stress, known as eustress. However, with continued playing and intensity, they can trigger distress, and this is where the fight or flight response, or the adrenaline response, is triggered. There is no specific study linking this, but this is just logical connections made between psychological concepts of eustress, distress, and adrenaline response.
Thanks for the link! I agree with you on the “logical connections”. My interest is as a cognitive therapist working with young people who have suffered TBI, many of whom play VGs recreationally, some of whom have s/s of VG addiction and can’t stop. My worry is disrupted and or altered plasticity and whatever consequences that may pose. I found some direct studies and will send you the links when I get to work on Tuesday.
Ed, thank you for sharing. May I interest you in writing a guest post on this topic? My website reaches 50,000 people monthly.
I’m flattered at the offer, and it’s a chance to educate the public on TBI and the possible harm of VGs, but I’m also dealing with health care in America – overstaffed and underfunded. I’ll ponder the offer and let you know, soon. How many words were you thinking of?
Just 300 to 1000…short, or detailed. It’s up to you. No hurry…just whenever you get a couple of hours to just write it.
I love the feeling of a adrenaline rush when playing video games. Been playing games since i was about 5 years old holding my first gameboy since then away played games. But i got in to hardcore gaming like competitive when i was about 12 years old and im now 21. The reason i like the feeling of a adrenaline rush is tho to the fact that i can think faster when in a tight spot and act on it better then normal. I dont get anything really bad from a adrenaline rush just if i play to many competitive matchs in a day i get really sleep or tired. I use to get shaky hands when my adrenaline rush ended but ill jsut stop for a sec and just start to breathe in and out and it would go away. I just love the feeling of it i can just think of so many possible ways of doing thinks in a short sec and see thinks fast and react to it. So far i think the fact that i get these daily i gotten use to the feeling i can apply it to my real life.
Unfortunately, chronic activation of the adrenaline rush has detrimental effects on your health: https://anxietyboss.com/how-stress-affects-cardiovascular-health/ https://anxietyboss.com/anxiety-forums/1179/can-anxiety-cause-medical-problems
I’m 58 6’2″ 218 lbs. Vegan except for a serving of fish once or twice a week. I am owner of a business, for the last 30 years. Kids are grown. I played since the beginning of FPS. 2. To 3 hrs a night. Except summers.
This is what I know for sure. For the same period of time I box for about 5 to 10 mins.after gaming. If I don’t game and just go to box I need to take time to warm up. I have strained muscles in the past. However after gaming I can immediately attack the bag with no side effects. If I try to go to sleep right away it its about 2 hours.before I wind down. I will take this time a work out work issues. If I watch one or two funny shows where I lol, I fall asleep right away.I get sideways mentally and physically if I use caffeine. For you gamers out the I feel that’s like mixing prescription drugs. I have great reflexes. And mind is working good. However I am following your work to learn if I could be doing my body harm. If there is a study in the future on on real people count me in.
Thank you for your share. But chronic activation of the adrenaline response is harmful to your body, as described previously in the comments. The cardiovascular effects of chronic adrenaline response is well documented.
I got really sick a few years ago and was bedbound for a while. I took up gaming to pass the time while I was sick. I played a lot and over that time I found myself getting sicker and sicker. Years later and still pretty sick I stopped gaming for a little bit after hitting some hard burnout Wouldn’t ya know I recovered quite a bit. During that time I found myself feeling better and better. Then one day I was bored and picked up a game. Started gaming again and went down the deep dark rabbit hole where I was again getting sicker and sicker. I thought it was a relapse. Recently I stopped and wouldn’t you know, I started feeling more relaxed and much better, again. Seems like a definite correlation to me.
Funny thing is several years ago I wondered what all the fuss about gaming was and got an xbox. Played the game I got for a few days and consistently noticed how tense and irritated I got. At one point it was so bad that I rage quit and in that moment I decided I hated gaming because it was not even remotely fun for me. Wish I had tossed that xbox back then. Right now, I am looking at the one I have and thinking it’s time to put it out in the trash. Good riddance.
Thank you for your share, and glad you were able to make the connection between gaming and it stressing your body. I hope others can make this connection if gaming is causing negative outcomes in their lives.
hi doctor carlo
this article was helpful to us.
I’m glad the article was helpful to you. Thanks for visiting!
Yep, I have severe HPA axis dysfunction aka adrenal fatigue and it has prevented me from continuing to play competitive games. It feels straight up like a heart attack when it happens. My cortisol has plummeted along with my DHA and I struggle to even get out of bed now, can’t work or function at all. Been working to reverse it with functional medicine for years but it’s taking a long time, given that I have multiple gut infections like SIBO and parasites as well with leaky gut and malabsorption. Dropped to 98 pounds, 5’9″ 26 year old male, despite eating a perfect high good fat organic clean paleo based diet. Can’t handle full ketosis since I’m so underweight and have adrenal fatigue, need the carbs. My “heart attack” symptom fight or flight responses trigger even in non-competitive casual games sometimes, it’s really annoying. I go as long as I can without those kinds of games but when you’re stuck in your room all day every day since you can’t work because of your health, it’s really annoying and sometimes you try to play a little here and there, and almost every time it triggers.
Very frustrating. Feels like I’ll never get to play games again sometimes, no matter how much I address and focus on proper health.
There is an elliptical in the living room where I play video games, I decided to play Skyrim and use the elliptical to keep myself entertained. Normally i’m exhausted by 20 to 30 minutes but this time I was able to go for an hour, if this is a result of adrenaline would it be healthy to continue to take advantage or should I just stick to TV and music?
Good example of adrenaline at work, but inquiries about your health status should be directed to your doctor.
Hi there,
My cousin has recently been breaking out with hives while playing video games. It doesnt happen every time but it happens enough to make me question if they are stress hives, He does not take any meds and his diet is the same, Do you think that it is possible that playing video games can cause stress hives?
It’s a possibility. Maybe it’s time for him to take a break from gaming to see if the hives continue.
this probably will be the most retarded comment here, but I have been using video games, specifically mortal kombat X, to get high. I love the adrenaline response I get in conpetitive play and my increased alertness and skill has gotten me accused of being on adderall several times. Is this a terrible idea or will I be safe to keep playing?
Then you may be experiencing (or at risk of developing) a gaming addiction, which is becoming more common. So instead of playing video games to get high, imagine taking Adderall for all those times you want to get high. Then would it be called a drug addiction? No, it’s not safe to keep playing, if you are getting high and dependent on that.
Hi Dr. Carlo,
I have found your articles very insightful. I was curious if you had any recommendations or frameworks to follow on regulating a “safe” frequency of fight or flight activation via video games. I notice that I really enjoy games oriented around survival, but of course those are the ones that would be most problematic from the cortisol standpoint. 🙂 You mention the risks of chronic activation of the stress response, but I don’t see any mention of frequency — is it the kind of thing where having the stress experience of “running for my life” on a weekly basis is too much? Monthly? Curious what your thoughts are here. The game in question here is Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, which is essentially like a 100-player Hunger Games last man standing sort of situation, and I notice that game triggers my fight or flight response more than any other that I’ve played before, and I’m curious if this might be part of the cause for some autoimmune sorts of symptoms I’ve been seeing lately. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for your interesting questions. Given there are no clinical studies, I can’t give you numbers. This post is just a hypothesis, and until there are clinical studies, it remains a hypothesis, albeit one that is based on clinical observations of patients who are gamers. The stress response does suppress immune functioning, so maybe your body is telling you to slow down with what is revving you up.
Hi
Here is a interesting mini experiment on what happens in the body when gaming on Dr Phil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOyyPvezmoE
I just wanted to say great pedagogic article about gaming.
I think this is a HUGE issue amongst gamers, and I am one who suffers from chronic activation.
I don’t only think adrenaline is released, but also hijacking dopamine and serotonin. I am by not expert, but I feel that the constant high I feel when playing is not just from adrenaline. Game developer constructs games like addictions where you are rewarded, and then you get this dopamine kick. Also, the problem is that you sit still when all these bodily functions are activated, which creates problem. Also the oxygen seems to be a huge problem, which I myself noted. I have very shot breaths yet pretty good physical health. I have collapsed in a sort of seisurse twice. Doctors didnt care tho.
That’s why I think it’s so hard for me to stop. I feel so depressed when I stop, and I know it is withdrawal symptoms, but I have to do it because otherwise I will do bad stuff. Tried to get all the help in the world without good results. Anyways, spread this to your colleagues, because there are so many unaware gamers out there. And I am afraid of the result we will see in about 10-20 years when those growing up with this are aging up. Not good.
What you are talking about is a gaming addiction, which is above and beyond what this article is all about. If you have such gaming addiction, treatment for that addiction is needed.