I've had the same experience as op and yes, I think you're onto something. I'll generate a wider breadth of candidate moves, although I may not calculate each line to the same depth. I guess you could say it encourages lateral thinking (or creativity) over linear thinking (calculation).

This is key for me because under normal circumstances I tend to favor solid but slightly passive lines. If my opponent is playing creative, spirited chess, he can easily gain the initiative and crush me.