A change in the way we perceive the world
Originated from the 1984 game Tetris, the Tetris Effect is a phenomenon where players of the game began seeing floating shaped blocks in their dreams and during their awaken hours.
Psychologists studied this game and the effects it had on players. It was found that Tetris effects the configuration of our brains. Playing 30 minutes to a few hours a day can make our brains more efficient.
The game itself has the possibility of making the gray matter in our brains denser. Gray matter is the part of our brain that contains most of the neuronal cell bodies. This is the area of the brain that involves sensory perception, muscle movement, cognitive flexibility and intelligence.
So, researchers con- cluded that by Tetris making gray matter denser, it also increases mental skills.
This change of reality, the way people see the world through the lenses of the game, is not only caused by playing Tetris.
The Tetris Effect is now a term for when a person’s brain is reconfigured to whatever it is they have been focusing on for a various period.
For instance, the Rubik’s Cube has the same effect. Solving a Rubik’s cube as fast as one is able can change the way they perceive logic. The same goes for solving math problems.
However, like Tetris players seeing blocks falling from the sky, one avid player of the card game Magic: The Gathering started to see people as cards from the game instead of people.
Each person he saw was perceived as a character he thought matched a certain character.
However, as concerning as it might sound, the Tetris Effect is not dangerous. But those experiencing it may feel as if they cannot control or stop the thoughts and images they are seeing in real life and in their dreams.
The Tetris Effect has yet to be fully explored, but from what we do know about it, our brain can be easily affected and manipulated by various things that make up our reality.