20/02/2026
Can playing Tetris after a traumatic event really help reduce flashbacks? š®š§
Research suggests that engaging in a visuospatial task (like Tetris) shortly after trauma exposure may reduce the number of intrusive visual memories that form later.
Hereās why:
Trauma memories often have a strong visual component. When someone plays a visually demanding game soon after the event, it may compete with the brainās memory consolidation process ā especially the visual imagery part. This can reduce the intensity or frequency of later flashbacks.
Important to note:
ā ļø It does NOT erase trauma
ā ļø It does NOT replace therapy
ā ļø PTSD is complex and multifactorial
But it does show something fascinating:
The brain continues processing experiences after they happen.
And there may be small windows where early interventions can make a meaningful difference.
This research opens the door for low-cost, accessible early supports in crisis settings ā while reminding us just how adaptable the brain truly is.
The science of memory is powerful. And still evolving.
