Your brain on a playground
Games that save the world
Gamifying the everyday world
Play-based learning in action
duolingo Swing the brain past stressful obstacles to discover how play helps your memory stick.
duolingo Personal Play Personalities
Are you an explorer, a mover, or creator? Find your play style to light up your brain!
duolingo Dopamine released during play strengthens neuron connections in your hippocampus, the memory center that secures new information.
Which chemical messenger, released during play, helps the brain's hippocampus form stronger long-term memories?
According to cognitive research, how much can a playful approach improve long-term memory retention compared to passive learning?
duolingo Low-stakes games lower cortisol levels to calm your brain's overactive amygdala.
Which part of the brain acts as the threat detector, shutting down creative thinking when you feel stressed?
What primary stress hormone is lowered during play, helping the brain shift out of fight-or-flight mode?
Play: Rats that play frequently have larger prefrontal cortexes than those deprived of play, proving that fun physically shapes the mammalian brain.
In what year did scientists first discover the brain-boosting protein known as BDNF?
What is the full name of BDNF, the protein released during active play that acts like brain fertilizer?
A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in reward, motivation, and learning. In 1957, Arvid Carlsson identified this chemical, which surges during playful, low-pressure learning to reinforce cognitive development.
Who is the founder of the National Institute for Play who identified the eight distinct human play personalities?
If a person loves organizing games, arranging collections, or planning events, which play personality do they most likely have?