There are a lot of people putting a stamp on the forehead of people who play RPG with the word “nerd” written in thick black. It is just the way people sees us from the outside because most of them never sat at an RPG table to play for an entire afternoon mimicking voices and postures. But don´t just take my word for it, let´s just take a look at some of the benefits of being a RPG player, proud nerd and wise human being.

Creativity At Its Best

Well, if one thing can be said about role-playing games is that the title involves a verb. It might seem as a no-brainer but it is absolutely true. Playing RPG is an action; all players have an active role and can get into the skin of fantasy creatures for some hours a week. What´s the difference between active role-playing and holding a controller in your hand? Well, it is very deep because in RPG you have to strategize, act under pressure using your imagination as your main resource and interact with others who do the same. There is no set-path already programmed for you by some videogame company. In tabletop RPG the expression “Sky´s the limit” is absolutely true.

Storytelling Is Good For Your Brain

Game Masters at Dungeons & Dragons are responsible for creating a world that players will enjoy and have fun with. They are in charge of applying rules to creation and give certain boundaries to the brain of the eager players. In the case of Game Masters, this story-telling ability that has to be applied on the go can be definitely good for the brain. Let me explain this a little further; the brain cortex is the one that is in charge of processing every stimulus coming from the “sensors” in our body named nervous system, palate, etc.

Evidence based research has shown that the effects of Storytelling has proven substantial impacts on our brains

When story telling is well done the person speaking and the person hearing it will light up the sections in the cortex that are good for that action. Let me put it clearer: if the story says “take your sword and slay the dragon” the parts of your cortex that would be in charge of that movement will light up giving you a more complete experience. Doing this often maintains and develops the brain´s healthy status and skills

Social Skills

Last but definitely not least, this is the most important aspect that role-playing has given me: losing my fear to talk to strangers (and also the best friends in the world). There is a study about how D&D can be used as a social therapy especially on kids and teenagers. In my own experience is completely true, the social skills derived from being in the situations that role-playing games put you are lifetime assets.

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