If you grew up in the ’80s, you were probably weaned on Tetris and were thrilled when the modern-day equivalent, Block Blast, came out on April 3, 2022. But is this time-sucking pastime any good for your brain?

1. The Tetris Effect is when intrusive thoughts about playing the game interfere with your daily functioning

Have you ever started to see the world as moving blocks after hours of playing computer block games like Tetris or Block Blast? Suddenly, the buildings in your neighborhood could have been so much more compact if only someone had “fixed” them.

In 1994, Wired magazine’s Jeffery Goldsmith coined the term “The Tetris Effect” in an article entitled “This is your brain on Tetris.” It describes the lingering effect of these blocks even after you close your eyes at night.

2. These block games are memorable, even if your brain can no longer create new memories due to damage to the brain

In 2000, Harvard sleep researcher Robert Stickgold found that Tetris also affects people’s dreams, even for people who are neurologically unable to form new memories due to brain trauma, a condition known as anterograde amnesia. (Like Drew Barrymore in the Adam Sandler film Fifty First Dates.)

All participants in Stickgold’s study reported intrusive thoughts about these blocks during bedtime, but the small number of people in the study who couldn’t form new memories (and therefore should have no recollection of these blocks) all reported images of these Tetris blocks as they were falling asleep, but couldn’t remember when or where they had been introduced to these blocks due to their inability to form new memories.

Yup, these blocks sure stick with us.

3. Tetris as immunity to PTSD?

In 2016, researchers James and colleagues attempted to use Tetris as immunization from PTSD but was unsuccessful, possibly due to the emotional load of trauma that is more likely to be “triggering,” as opposed to the blocks of the game that elicits a less dramatic reaction. Also of note is the duration of time the individuals watched a triggering film and played with blocks was almost identical (12 minutes and 11 minutes respectively), and there is some speculation that greater immunity might be associated with longer exposure in the future.

4. Playing with blocks leads to better brain efficiency and a thicker cerebral cortex

A 1992 study by Haier and colleagues evaluated eight men before and after they spent four to eight weeks playing Tetris. Regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate (GMR) in cortical surface regions decreased while performance increased.

What does this mean?

Playing with these computerized blocks may result in using areas of your brain that are more efficient rather than continuing to use inefficient processing methods. Changes in regional subcortical glucose metabolic rate (GMR) may reflect changes in cognitive strategy that are a part of the learning process.

Simply put: Learning to play with these computerized blocks may expedite your learning process in ways that make it more efficient to process new information.

5. Block play increases visuospatial intelligence

Visuospatial intelligence is the ability to shift and maneuver objects in your mind. This contributes to a better understanding of your surroundings, a better ability to read and understand maps, create pieces of art two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally, and solve puzzles.

Visuospatial intelligence factors into problem-solving through strategic thinking (planning for not only the next move but the next, next move), cognitive flexibility (changing your approach strategy), and hand-eye coordination.

Although visuospatial intelligence is just one contributing factor to an individual’s intelligence, it affects many different ways we navigate the world.

Conclusion

It appears that manipulating the blocks made familiar by both Tetris and Block Blast has managed to tap into a form of intelligence only tangentially touched on by schooling. Feel free to keep playing your favorite new game, but don’t forget to come up for air once in a while.