If you are stressed, play poker. Studies have more often stated that poker has addictive qualities but a study conducted by Canadian scientists showed that online poker helps manage and reduce stress levels.

According to the study, while playing online poker, cortisol, a hormone that is colloquially known as the stress hormone, is altered.

While conducting the study it was found that cortisol levels dropped by up to 17 per cent while players played online poker.

Poker’s complexity enthralls the players completely, which in turn takes the focus away from outside influences on stress and releasing the player's mind into thought processes that was unexplored.

The effect thus helps in reducing the over all stress from daily activities.

These findings may in the United States help with the current push for legalization of online poker.

The study coming in almost simultaneously with the news about online poker being legalized. Until then, USA Poker Rooms that are legal are the only option busting stress.