ESL drug testing

[norseamd]

ESL is going to start running drug testing on all of their competitors.

Now I realize the drugs are going to actually be a real element of professional video game competitions but I more or less am not able to stop laughing at this and not sure that I think it is necessary.

http://www.pcgamer.com/esl-to-begin-randomized-drug-testing-at-esl-one-cologne/

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Oh lawdy, you gotta be shitting me....

How is Adderal more "Performance Enhancing" than caffeine for fucks sake?

It seems more and more gamers want to be a sport or some shit. So they change the name to "eSports" to make themselves sound cooler, and now they are doing drug testing... As if drugs could honestly make a difference like Steroids/Growth Hormones do in normal sporting.

Idiots. Idiots all around..

 

[LevelSea]

Thought this was about English as a Second Language....

 

[Slew Foot]

bout time they started drug testing all the illegals

 

[NutBucket]

Oh lawdy, you gotta be shitting me....

How is Adderal more "Performance Enhancing" than caffeine for fucks sake?

It seems more and more gamers want to be a sport or some shit. So they change the name to "eSports" to make themselves sound cooler, and now they are doing drug testing... As if drugs could honestly make a difference like Steroids/Growth Hormones do in normal sporting.

Idiots. Idiots all around..

Adderal improves focus. I could see it being advantageous for gaming if it helps one maintain concentration. Caffeine is just an energy boost that I would argue provides no specific advantage.

But it is funny to think of gaming as a sport

 

[Ns1]

How is Adderal more "Performance Enhancing" than caffeine for fucks sake?

Someone clearly has not used adderall...

 

[Mixolydian]

Someone clearly has not used adderall...

 

[UglyCasanova]

Thought this was about English as a Second Language....

Lol me too and it wasn't making any sense.

 

[destrekor]

Someone clearly has not used adderall...

You beat me to it. lol

I wonder how many drugs they'll test for. And for that matter, if they'll test for even those that are legal for purchase in some form or another.

Modafinil (prescription only in the US), and Armodafinil (a modafinil prodrug that is legal by means of not being regulated). Plenty of other nootropics are also not regulated in the US, stuff like the racetam group of chemicals.

Caffeine is simply shit when it comes to real performance enhancement compared to the big boys.

 

[Charmonium]

Modafinil (prescription only in the US), and Armodafinil (a modafinil prodrug that is legal by means of not being regulated). Plenty of other nootropics are also not regulated in the US, stuff like the racetam group of chemicals.

I think armodafinil is an isomeric version of the original - the R-isomer - but I'd have to check. Isomeric drugs tend to have fewer side effects than the racemic versions.

The problem with testing for things like cannabis and stimulants is that you can just claim that you have a prescription for it - and probably get one pretty easily if you don't. Also, I don't know if the tests are any good at quantifying the amount in your blood. I don't think they are. I think they are mostly binary and only indicate if you have a particular compound in your system but not the amount. That's a more sophisticated and expensive test.

 

[destrekor]

Also...

It seems more and more gamers want to be a sport or some shit. So they change the name to "eSports" to make themselves sound cooler, and now they are doing drug testing... As if drugs could honestly make a difference like Steroids/Growth Hormones do in normal sporting.

Idiots. Idiots all around..

It is clear you have no idea what you are talking about.


Whether or not competitive gaming should be branded as "esports" or even formed into regulated formal leagues with a different branding, that I won't discuss as it is not the subject at hand.

Amphetamines and other attention and/or performance enhancers for mental clarity and focus are very, very effective for tasks that benefit from them. Most styles of gaming can certainly be grouped into that category of tasks.

 

[destrekor]

I think armodafinil is an isomeric version of the original - the R-isomer - but I'd have to check. Isomeric drugs tend to have fewer side effects than the racemic versions.

Whoops you are right. I meant Adrafinil. Armodafinil is indeed the R-enantiomer.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Also...


It is clear you have no idea what you are talking about.


Whether or not competitive gaming should be branded as "esports" or even formed into regulated formal leagues with a different branding, that I won't discuss as it is not the subject at hand.

Amphetamines and other attention and/or performance enhancers for mental clarity and focus are very, very effective for tasks that benefit from them. Most styles of gaming can certainly be grouped into that category of tasks.

Oh RLY?

Now tell me, what is it that caffeine does? You know, the shit people drink every day? They better stop allowing gamers to drink that stuff!

 

[destrekor]

Oh RLY?

Now tell me, what is it that caffeine does? You know, the shit people drink every day? They better stop allowing gamers to drink that stuff!

lol

Caffeine doesn't compare in the least to proper drugs. You really need to look up the mechanisms of caffeine.

It may boost physical energy, and in that light might lift the effects of fatigue on mental performance, but the other chemicals mentioned go above and beyond that and lift mental performance and focus beyond a return to normal.

If you are already "normal", caffeine may very well make you more inattentive and/or anxious, which are not effective aids. People are used to caffeine and use it for these purposes because it is readily available, but caffeine truly is a terrible performance aid when you really get down to the basics.

edit:
I should note I abused the hell out of caffeine for close to a decade. I probably did some long term damage and am doing what I can to correct course. I have some experience with the negatives of caffeine, which I didn't acknowledge until the end, which is what spurred me to finally address the issue. I am in a far better place. It does help that Wellbutrin provides a decent lift for me.

 

[Charmonium]

Oh RLY?

Now tell me, what is it that caffeine does? You know, the shit people drink every day? They better stop allowing gamers to drink that stuff!

Caffeine just blocks adenosine receptors. It keeps you awake but really enhance your thinking - unless you're tired, then it will.

Stimulants like say meth or ritalin actually stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Stimulants like the mixed salts in Adderall I think work in a similar way but I'd have to check. I seem to recall that they stimulate the adrenal cortex but I'm not sure.

 

[Charmonium]

I should note I abused the hell out of caffeine for close to a decade. I probably did some long term damage and am doing what I can to correct course. I have some experience with the negatives of caffeine, which I didn't acknowledge until the end, which is what spurred me to finally address the issue. I am in a far better place. It does help that Wellbutrin provides a decent lift for me.

AFAIK, Wellbutrin is still the only heterocyclic that increases dopamine in the brain. Specifically, it seems to weakly inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Personally, I never noticed an increase in energy or focus from it but then I tend to have atypical responses to drugs.

 

[OverVolt]

AFAIK, Wellbutrin is still the only heterocyclic that increases dopamine in the brain. Specifically, it seems to weakly inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Personally, I never noticed an increase in energy or focus from it but then I tend to have atypical responses to drugs.

Oh FFS who on this forum is not on drugs. Anyone?

If you jackup your dopamine levels long-term you will realize patterns that aren't really there. You won't notice, but you'll be the guy who jumps to conclusions way too easily and believes weird shit.

http://brainposts.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-people-believe-weird-things.html

 

[DigDog]

i'm not on drugs. (and thats why i perform so badly)

Adderall makes you unbeatable at Quake; well known fact.

still, i don't see how ESL can pull it off considering almost everyone in that sport is on something.
not like regulars sports. you know .. cycling .. football .. weight lifting ..

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

lol

Caffeine doesn't compare in the least to proper drugs. You really need to look up the mechanisms of caffeine.

It may boost physical energy, and in that light might lift the effects of fatigue on mental performance, but the other chemicals mentioned go above and beyond that and lift mental performance and focus beyond a return to normal.

If you are already "normal", caffeine may very well make you more inattentive and/or anxious, which are not effective aids. People are used to caffeine and use it for these purposes because it is readily available, but caffeine truly is a terrible performance aid when you really get down to the basics.

edit:
I should note I abused the hell out of caffeine for close to a decade. I probably did some long term damage and am doing what I can to correct course. I have some experience with the negatives of caffeine, which I didn't acknowledge until the end, which is what spurred me to finally address the issue. I am in a far better place. It does help that Wellbutrin provides a decent lift for me.

I'm not saying it's up-to-par with amphetamines by any means... But there is no question that it increases mental alertness and increases reaction time.

That is certainly an advantage over someone that has taken nothing, no? That's all I'm saying, why is one allowed and another isn't?

 

[TechBoyJK]

thought this was about east st. louis

 

[alien42]

I'm not saying it's up-to-par with amphetamines by any means... But there is no question that it increases mental alertness and increases reaction time.

That is certainly an advantage over someone that has taken nothing, no? That's all I'm saying, why is one allowed and another isn't?

the article didn't even mention caffeine, however, if you can't distinguish the difference between a prescription drug and a soda you can buy at any gas station, well, not sure what to tell you.

have you been arguing that MLB, NBA, and NFL players should not be allowed to drink caffeine?

 

[TwiceOver]

Thought for sure this was going to be a Donald Trump / Mexicans thread.

 

[Pantlegz]

the article didn't even mention caffeine, however, if you can't distinguish the difference between a prescription drug and a soda you can buy at any gas station, well, not sure what to tell you.

have you been arguing that MLB, NBA, and NFL players should not be allowed to drink caffeine?

I think an analogy to to OTC supplements like creatine compared to something like d-bol should be adequate. There are things you can take legally that might provide a slight 1-2% enhancement but overall pretty negligible compared to the real deal that could easily improve performance by 30-50%.

Some leagues do test for caffeine the USADA has in competition levels that some sports choose to be tested for, mostly those that require quick reflexes like archery.

 

[SunnyD]

ESL Federal Credit Union?

I wonder how the NCUA will ... wait, wut?

 

[DigDog]

did i forget to mention they all smoke weed over at ESL ?