Cannabis as a Performance Enhancing Drug

KeenKraken·Nov 11, 2019·1 votes·3,457 views

Electronic Sports League reveals list of drugs banned from e-sports

Currently, cannabis is listed as a PED by the ESL. Meaning, players cannot consume cannabis and compete in esports. They claim that cannabis can make players more focused and relieve anxiety. While the ESL only uses saliva tests, which can only detect cannabis up to 24 hours, the rule really only prevents people from smoking right before the match or using their medicine. I assume there are other players like myself, who use cannabis as medicine for various issues and do not feel it gives a competitive advantage due to a high tolerance and the purpose of the medicine. Would the ESL accept a doctors note for a substance that’s banned in a number of countries due to negative propaganda? On the other side of the coin you have people that don’t regularly use cannabis that may try it to enhance their normal games during off-season and realize that it has the exact opposite effect if you haven’t built a tolerance. I think cannabis as a performance enhancing drug is a far stretch, I do not believe it should be on the list as many of the effects are situational based on the individual consuming it. What do you guys think?

37 Comments

Jennifer17Nov 11, 20196 votes

damn i didnt expect to read something like this today. maybe my opinion is oldschool or whatever but i think drugs shouldnt be allowed in sport UNLESS theres a medical reason behind it. like anxiety that paralyzes you or something like that.

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

i completely agree that if its something that gives somebody a legitimate edge it should be banned, but most cannabis users that would be affected by this clause wouldnt see any "performance enhancement"

Jennifer17Nov 11, 20191 votes

i mean this isnt really a topic worth talking about imo cause everyone is abusing drugs and the laws anyways.

im just glad i dont suffer from anxiety or stuff like that cause id be really pissed if ppl consume weed for fun while i need it to basically get through a normal day

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

i dont have a problem with people using for recreation cuz thats how i first started, and i have crippling anxiety and a few other things i have medical cannabis for, including the severe nerve pain i endure from having 1/8th of my body reconstructed at 21 years old. but there is a clear difference between the functionality of somebody using recreationally and somebody that actually needs it. i need it to perform my daily functions such as walking and having any use of my arm at all, otherwise im on my cane and doing everything one handed, some people find relief for their adhd in strong sativas, some people find they can properly interact with society when they smoke a hybrid before going out in public, theres so many legitamite reasons for it I find it hard to justify banning it if theyre legally allowed to use it as medicine where they reside

Jennifer17Nov 11, 20191 votes

bottom line is, it will be legalized everywhere eventually.

also rip dude.

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20195 votes

anything that warps or alters judgement should be banned in any sports, electronic or physical

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

But there’s already clauses in place that allow other chemicals to be used as medicine in game, but I see no such clauses for medical cannabis patients

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

But there’s already clauses in place that allow other chemicals to be used as medicine in game, but I see no such clauses for medical cannabis patients

i never said those should be allowed either, nothing that alters a players physical or mental condition shouldn't be allowed period

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

if you cant accept that certain people need certain medications then theres no point in discussing this with you. have a good day

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}

if you cant accept that certain people need certain medications then theres no point in discussing this with you. have a good day

Prescribed medications are not = to doping or cannabis

Pika FoxNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

Prescribed medications are not = to doping or cannabis

Medical cannabis is not = street cannabis. Entirely different strain, cultivation and use. (Although the medical properties of cannabis is mostly mild relaxant/pain reliever and inducing hunger, as cancer treatments kill appetites)

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20192 votes

[{quoted}](name=Pika Fox,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=3Ql9cm7X,comment-id=000000000000000000000000,timestamp=2019-11-11T15:00:54.805+0000)

Medical cannabis is not = street cannabis. Entirely different strain, cultivation and use. (Although the medical properties of cannabis is mostly mild relaxant/pain reliever and inducing hunger, as cancer treatments kill appetites)

medical cannabis is also not allowed everywhere if it were there wouldn't be a discussion now would there? If it were legalized everywhere it would be no worse than taking an advil for example, but the fact is its not legal everywhere so you can't let it be legal is sports when even governments are debating the legality of it

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

i think that the teams should be the ones in charge regarding cannabis specifically, under guidance by the ESL. Coaches and Owners can make the appropriate judgement calls about cannabis use for their own team and respect local laws while travelling, or face heavy fines and potential disqualification if the privilege is abused

Pika FoxNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

anything that warps or alters judgement should be banned in any sports, electronic or physical

Wouldnt make any sense. If you have depression, and need to take meds to deal with it, should that disqualify you? It is "performance enhancing", as if you dont take it you wont function.

What about pain meds for physical sports, given its active nature causing physical stress to the body. Are we also going to ban saunas and hot baths?

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

[{quoted}](name=Pika Fox,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=3Ql9cm7X,comment-id=00000001,timestamp=2019-11-11T14:57:39.070+0000)

Wouldnt make any sense. If you have depression, and need to take meds to deal with it, should that disqualify you? It is "performance enhancing", as if you dont take it you wont function.

What about pain meds for physical sports, given its active nature causing physical stress to the body. Are we also going to ban saunas and hot baths?

thats completely different than going out and taking something to give you an edge in a sport prescriptions are fine, drugs that you take that warp your perspective drastically should not be allowed just like you can't drink and drive legally

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

thats what this is about though, some people have prescriptions for cannabis and dont use it to enhance performance, and the threshold it can actually be used for performance enhancement is so miniscule it doesnt even matter. i dare anyone to smoke for the first few times in their life and try and play a ranked soloq

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}

thats what this is about though, some people have prescriptions for cannabis and dont use it to enhance performance, and the threshold it can actually be used for performance enhancement is so miniscule it doesnt even matter. i dare anyone to smoke for the first few times in their life and try and play a ranked soloq

the problem is cannabis isn't legal everywhere so for it to be allowed wouldn't make sense

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

however its legal in various parts of NA and EU and used as medicine, yeah i know the logistics of international borders and cannabis are complicated, but we dont need to fully dive into that right now, thats a whole different discussion

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}

however its legal in various parts of NA and EU and used as medicine, yeah i know the logistics of international borders and cannabis are complicated, but we dont need to fully dive into that right now, thats a whole different discussion

its not though, you can't allow SOME teams to have cannabis as an option and other teams can't because where they are located its not allowed It would be like if a soccer team in one country allows doping but another doesn't who is right? Its not that I personally think they shouldn't be allowed to have their "medicinal cannabis" its just they shouldn't have it in a time span where it would still be in their system while they are playing

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

yes you absolutely can, you have to stop thinking that any and all drug use is "doping" cuz its just flat out not true. if it is legally their medicine, how exactly can they tell them they cant without violating their basic human rights?

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}

yes you absolutely can, you have to stop thinking that any and all drug use is "doping" cuz its just flat out not true. if it is legally their medicine, how exactly can they tell them they cant without violating their basic human rights?

Im not saying any and all drug use is doping you are misinterpreting what I am saying. If one region legalizes muscle enhancers for their sports teams should those players then be allowed to play against teams in regions where muscle enhancers are banned? Yes or no?

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

im not misinterpreting, you keep comparing cannabis to drugs actually used in performance enhancement, implying that you think that any cannabis use is a form of doping, when in reality it falls under the logic behind allowing some players to still take their adderoll

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

im not misinterpreting, you keep comparing cannabis to drugs actually used in performance enhancement, implying that you think that any cannabis use is a form of doping, when in reality it falls under the logic behind allowing some players to still take their adderoll

Firstly answer the question, Yes or no. Secondly the reason its not legalized everywhere is because the science behind it can't agree Some people say it is "good" some people would disagree and say it is bad for and vastly alters the brain So you are arguing based off half the facts not the full picture

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

im not answering a yes or no question based on a false equivalency lmao wut? cannabis is illegal because of a fear campaign run in the 1920's and 30's, it was legal pretty much everywhere before then.

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

im not answering a yes or no question based on a false equivalency lmao wut? cannabis is illegal because of a fear campaign run in the 1920's and 30's, it was legal pretty much everywhere before then.

"The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It’s responsible for the high and feelings of euphoria, increased sensory feedback (more vivid colors, louder sounds), altered pain sensitivity, altered judgement, anti-nausea and so on."

Increased sensory feedback, altered judgement, thats more then enough for it to not be allowed in pro sports therefore its incredibly justified, because if one team is allowed to have it but another isn't it creates an unfair advantage https://grandstandcentral.com/2018/sections/science/weed-a-performance-enhancing-drug/

the fact of the matter is there isn't enough evidence to prove that it isn't altering players performance, its possible it isn't, but POSSIBLE isn't enough make it legal

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

"There’s also the question of whether THC can improve in-game performance. The problem, however, is that THC is psychoactive. Research has shown THC to inhibit motor control, balance, reaction time, and coordination. And while THC increases sensory feedback (more vivid colors, increased sense of touch, etc) that feedback is more difficult to properly utilize given the chemical’s inhibiting effects on movement."

why dont you finish reading the article?

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

"There’s also the question of whether THC can improve in-game performance. The problem, however, is that THC is psychoactive. Research has shown THC to inhibit motor control, balance, reaction time, and coordination. And while THC increases sensory feedback (more vivid colors, increased sense of touch, etc) that feedback is more difficult to properly utilize given the chemical’s inhibiting effects on movement."

why dont you finish reading the article?

1 I did, 2 "difficult to properly utilize" doesn't change the fact that it alters performance Bias doesn't make it acceptable here any changes in performance due to a drug means the drug shouldn't be allowed

Pika FoxNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

thats completely different than going out and taking something to give you an edge in a sport prescriptions are fine, drugs that you take that warp your perspective drastically should not be allowed just like you can't drink and drive legally

marijuana wouldnt constitute a positive performance unless youre either in severe pain, or have chemical imbalances it helps with. It can only hinder actual gaming performance.
marijuana can also be prescribed as a medical drug.

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

[{quoted}](name=Pika Fox,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=3Ql9cm7X,comment-id=0000000100000001,timestamp=2019-11-11T18:04:26.910+0000)

marijuana wouldnt constitute a positive performance unless youre either in severe pain, or have chemical imbalances it helps with. It can only hinder actual gaming performance.

marijuana can also be prescribed as a medical drug.

1 science disagrees on how it effects people, thats one of the reasons it isn't legal every where

2 it can be but its not legal everywhere and therefore shouldn't be allowed in professional sports of any kind. If the science disagrees on its effects and the law isn't 100% on it preference doesn't change the fact that is shouldn't be allowed until definitive proof is found, but if you can't be 100% on it (which you can't because if you look at the facts on it they go back and forth yeah its good no its bad) then its better to be out than to risk unfairness

Pika FoxNov 11, 20192 votes

{quoted}

1 science disagrees on how it effects people, thats one of the reasons it isn't legal every where

2 it can be but its not legal everywhere and therefore shouldn't be allowed in professional sports of any kind. If the science disagrees on its effects and the law isn't 100% on it preference doesn't change the fact that is shouldn't be allowed until definitive proof is found, but if you can't be 100% on it (which you can't because if you look at the facts on it they go back and forth yeah its good no its bad) then its better to be out than to risk unfairness

it isnt legal everywhere due to racist policies; has nothing to do with the science. Science generally agrees with the short term effects, and only has mild questions on the long term due to government bans on the drug restricting research.
again, the legality of it has nothing to do with science. Scientists never recommended any law change to make it illegal. It was purely a target at a specific group of individuals who used it more.

CaptainAntiHerozNov 11, 20191 votes

[{quoted}](name=Pika Fox,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=3Ql9cm7X,comment-id=000000010000000100000000,timestamp=2019-11-11T18:31:58.314+0000)

it isnt legal everywhere due to racist policies; has nothing to do with the science. Science generally agrees with the short term effects, and only has mild questions on the long term due to government bans on the drug restricting research.

again, the legality of it has nothing to do with science. Scientists never recommended any law change to make it illegal. It was purely a target at a specific group of individuals who used it more.

again bias there is no reasoning with you on this topic

Pika FoxNov 11, 20191 votes

{quoted}

again bias there is no reasoning with you on this topic

This isnt bias; im personally about as anti drug as they come, do not drink or smoke and the smell of pot makes me nauseous... But i also enjoy science. The drug war started as xenophobic policies via a lack of science, not because of scientific discoveries that suggested that they should be banned.

Alcohol is the deadliest drug man has ever invented, by death count. Prohibition didnt last long.

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

THANK YOU

AdamrCcNov 11, 20191 votes

What a fucking truckload of bullshit. I have literally lost points in some of the easiest lane matchups because I've played while high and couldn't react for shit.

Cannabis slows down reaction big time and is the polar opposite of what caffeine does to influence your game.

Edit : Okay, I had to do some research and my earlier may not be 100% correct.

It seems like sativa does in fact increase focus and creativity, while indica is the one which makes you more relaxed. I've been smoking Indica for a long time now. I have never tried sativa but if it's wildly different in that it actually works like caffeine and helps react faster then by all means it should get banned.

KeenKrakenNov 11, 20191 votes

sativas still inhibit motor function, they do have more on the light and sound receptors side but they can also make people less focused because of over stimulation

AdamrCcNov 11, 20191 votes

I stand corrected then.

Cannabis does more harm than good in which case.

Lost RNov 11, 20191 votes

Someone I queued up with said he needed to go do something. I wait, getting wrapped up in my personal projects, and half an hour later, the guy turns his mic back on and tells me that he was so high, he didn't realize that we weren't even in a game and had just been sitting in the lobby for the past half-hour. I removed him from my contacts list immediately after that.

I honestly wouldn't know whether or not it's a PED, given that everyone I meet brags about how high they are just to make themselves sound cool (though they end up sounding like they don't realize they had shat themselves at least seven times), and testing it myself would be pointless since I'm almost immune to most things.