Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
06:01
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
8.0K
γ-Aminobutyric Acid Intake Improves Psychological State and Performance in Esports: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled,
Yoshihiro Hara1, Utano Nakamura1, Keita Koga1
1R&D Division, Pharma Foods International Co., Ltd., 1-49, Goryo-Ohara, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8245, Japan.
Nutrients
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) intake improved esports players' mental state and game performance. Participants showed reduced fatigue and confusion, with significantly higher game scores after GABA consumption.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Science
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Esports performance relies on cognitive functions and psychological state.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter influencing mood and stress.
- GABA's potential benefits for cognitive performance in gamers are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of GABA supplementation on psychological state.
- To evaluate the impact of GABA on esports gameplay performance.
- To determine if GABA can enhance cognitive function during gaming.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.
- Eight healthy male university students (ages 20-24) regularly playing esports.
- GABA (200 mg) or placebo ingestion before a standardized esports task (League of Legends - Mobalytics Proving Ground™).
- Psychological state assessed using POMS2® short version; performance measured by MPG scores.
Main Results:
- GABA intake significantly reduced psychological confusion-bewilderment and fatigue.
- Esports gameplay scores were significantly higher in the GABA group compared to placebo.
- Positive correlation between GABA and improved mood states during gameplay.
Conclusions:
- GABA supplementation may enhance the psychological state of esports players.
- GABA intake shows potential for improving esports performance.
- GABA could be a viable nutritional strategy for gamers seeking cognitive and performance benefits.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
111
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
111
01:04Social Facilitation
31.9K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
31.9K
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
185
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
185
01:18Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
358
γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...
358
01:22CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
133
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
133
01:06Altered States of Awareness
164
Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
164