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On Monday, Elon Musk jokingly said that people should “play video games or be dumb,” sharing a study linking gaming with stronger performance on several cognitive tests.
Musk Reacts to Video Game Study
Musk made the remark on X, writing, “Play video games or be dumb! Those are your only 2 choices.”
Play video games or be dumb!
Those are your only 2 choices 😂 https://t.co/OjIu0qaj3L
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 14, 2026
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His post came after researchers examined the relationship between video gaming, physical activity, cognitive performance and mental health among 923 adults.
The study found that people who frequently played video games performed better on measures of short-term memory, reasoning, processing speed and overall cognitive performance than non-gamers.
Gamers Showed Stronger Cognitive Performance
Frequent gamers generally recorded the strongest results, while infrequent gamers also outperformed non-gamers on short-term memory. However, gaming was not significantly associated with verbal performance.
The researchers noted that the findings show an association, not proof that playing video games directly improves cognitive abilities.
Exercise Linked to Better Mental Health
Physical activity showed a different pattern. Participants who met the World Health Organization’s recommended exercise threshold of more than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
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The study found no significant relationship between meeting those exercise guidelines and the cognitive measures examined.
The researchers said physical and cognitive activities may benefit different aspects of brain health, but longer-term studies are needed to establish cause and effect.
Musk’s Video Game Obsession Goes Back to Age 12
Musk has long been an avid video game fan. At just 12 years old, he sold a video game he created for $500, an early sign of his enduring interest in gaming.
In 2024, Musk said on a podcast that he ranked among the world’s top 20 Diablo IV players, a list that included just two Americans. Dexerto later shared an image on X showing Musk ranked No. 19.
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