The Gazette newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content. Whether it’s a card draw, a bingo ball drop, or the satisfying burst of a bubble, millions of Papaya players turn to brief moments of play every day. What often feels like simple entertainment carrie s surprising scientific weight. A new joint article from the National Institute for Play (NIFP) and Papaya (formerly known as Papaya Gaming) shows that these everyday moments activate ancient neural systems that help adults regulate stress, sustain focus, and support emotional resilience. The article highlights a growing consensus in neuroscience: play isn’t just a childhood pastime, it remains a core part of how adult brains function and thrive. Drawing on decades of research, the findings point to a powerful truth: humans are wired to play, and even small doses can have meaningful cognitive and emotional benefits. That idea is grounded in the work of pioneering neuroscientist Dr. Jaak Panksepp, whose research revealed that the urge to play comes from the deepest parts of the brain. These ancient emotional systems drive motivation, curiosity, and social connection. And once triggered, they spark an upward spiral, rewiring the brain toward creativity, adaptability, and joy. Another researcher, Dr. John Ratey of Harvard, has shown that physical play helps release key brain chemicals like BDNF, a protein he calls “Miracle-Gro for the brain”, which strengthens learning, memory, and executive function. In a world full of deadlines, pressure, and nonstop digital noise, these benefits are essential. That’s where companies like Papaya come in. With millions of people tapping into games like Solitaire Cash, Bingo Cash, and Bubble Cash every day, Papaya’s mission is built around one powerful idea: play matters. Whether it’s unlocking a new game mode, chasing a high score, or just finding a moment of fun between tasks, the act of playing can bring calm, clarity, and connection to everyday life. We often think of productivity as getting things done. But real productivity, creative, sustained, purposeful, starts with a healthy brain. And that brain needs time to play. As Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the NIFP, puts it: “We are built to play – and built by play.” So the next time you pause for a moment of play, know that the science supports it. Play isn’t a distraction from life, it’s a way to engage more fully with it. ...read more read less