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Do you think Adderall or its variants give an unfair advantage?

Does this give an unfair advantage?


  • Total voters
    109
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Eldriken

Guest
I saw this thread on EventHubs (http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2016/jan/09/are-performance-enhancing-drugs-killing-integrity-fgc-tournaments/) and it got me thinking: Does Adderall or any type of AD(H)D medication give the player an unfair advantage over those who don't use it?

Yes, it gives them a better level of focus, but does that necessarily translate to them being able to outplay their opponent? Does it remove the skill gap? I don't think that it does. I don't really feel that a higher level of focus > overall skill.

Discuss.
 

Indecisive

We'll burn you all—that is your fate!
I have had serious and joke conversations about this topic before. Its almost impossible to regulate this in the fgc. If you where to do a drug test a lot of people would fail from use of weed. I am sure you can screen for Adderall specifically but a general drug test would be a no go. Also the question is what about the people that actually need to take this for a real condition. What do we do about them? Its a weird topic but an interesting question.
 

buyacushun

Normalize grab immunity.
You still have to he able to react to things. Know your options. All that other good stuff. I think at most it would make you more consistent. But I don't know if it's the same as say taking steroids in a physical competition. In that case being stronger could mean being better than your opponents. But just being able to pay more attention doesn't give you the ability to succeed at a fighter since it's more than that.

Does anyone know of the negative effects after the boost you get from adderall?

I think to stay on the e-sports track TOs should come together and put rules for performance enhancers. Would this include stuff like energy drinks?
 
E

Eldriken

Guest
I have had serious and joke conversations about this topic before. Its almost impossible to regulate this in the fgc. If you where to do a drug test a lot of people would fail from use of weed. I am sure you can screen for Adderall specifically but a general drug test would be a no go. Also the question is what about the people that actually need to take this for a real condition. What do we do about them? Its a weird topic but an interesting question.
I'm not wanting to discuss regulations or such. I'm specifically asking if taking Adderall or anything like it REMOVES THE SKILL GAP.

If I were to take like 100MG of Adderall, would I suddenly be able to beat the likes of Sonic Fox, A F0xy Grampa (I spelled it right, @PND_Ketchup :p), etc? I say the answer is no.
 
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Eldriken

Guest
You still have to he able to react to things. Know your options. All that other good stuff. I think at most it would make you more consistent. But I don't know if it's the same as say taking steroids in a physical competition. In that case being stronger could mean being better than your opponents. But just being able to pay more attention doesn't give you the ability to succeed at a fighter since it's more than that.

Does anyone know of the negative effects after the boost you get from adderall?

I think to stay on the e-sports track TOs should come together and put rules for performance enhancers. Would this include stuff like energy drinks?
There really aren't any negatives to coming down off of it other than possibly being tired, hungry and/or thirsty. It's not really detrimental to one's health unless they're abusing the shit out of it.
 

Indecisive

We'll burn you all—that is your fate!
I'm not wanting to discuss regulations or such. I'm specifically asking if taking Adderall or anything like it REMOVES THE SKILL GAP.

If I were to take like 100MG of Adderall, would I suddenly be able to beat the likes of Sonic Fox, A F0xy Grampa (I spelled it right, @PND_Ketchup :p), etc? I say the answer is no.
I think it can help in certain areas. Its not going to be Auto win against top players. But If a high level player where to take it then it could help them when playing strong players.
 

LesMore

Top 8 Injustice Frosty Faustings VII
I would say that performance enhancing stimulants only give the "illusion" of helping. You are most likely still going to suck but now you have the added crutch of being addicted to the chemical equivalent of meth... And don't forget the whole dumbo's feather factor, is it the drug or just the added "confidence" the drug gives you. Now if you have legitimate a.d.d. I assume use of the drug just brings you onto the same level of "normal" people who have less trouble concentrating...
 
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Eldriken

Guest
it probably does give an unfair advantage, but its not gonna make shit players into world beaters
What exactly about it do you feel gives an unfair advantage? I'm not asking in a condescending manner, nor being a wise ass. I just want peoples' input on this is all.
 
E

Eldriken

Guest
I would say that performance enhancing stimulants only give the "illusion" of helping. You are most likely still going to suck but now you have the added crutch of being addicted to the chemical equivalent of meth... And don't forget the whole dumbo's feather factor, is it the drug or just the added "confidence" the drug gives you. Now if you have legitimate a.d.d. I assume use of the drug just brings you onto the same level of "normal" people who have less trouble concentrating...
I agree on the illusion part. As far as them being addicting, not really. You don't gain a dependency on them like you do with meth or anything else like that. It's more like a mental addiction. They're about as addictive as pot. But I'm getting off topic here. >_>

But your first sentence is pretty much spot-on with my thoughts on this whole matter. It may make that person feel more confident in their abilities, but it doesn't change their abilities overall.
 

Goat-City

Banned
It depends on what is meant by a higher level of focus. Does it make them more like a normal person or better? If a higher level of focus means it helps them stay calm and be extra efficient with their thoughts, more so than a guy not using adderall, then I'd say that might be unfair. Obviously you'd still have to be good at the game and know your stuff, but being able to think faster and go through more scenarios and options in your mind through the match than the other person makes a big difference. If it's that significant then technically everyone has the option to use it unless it's only effective on people with ADHD.
 
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Eldriken

Guest
It depends on what is meant by a higher level of focus. Does it make them more like a normal person or better? If a higher level of focus means it helps them stay calm and be extra efficient with their thoughts, more so than a guy not using adderall, then I'd say that might be unfair. Obviously you'd still have to be good at the game and know your stuff, but being able to think faster and go through more scenarios and options in your mind through the match than the other person makes a big difference. If it's that significant then technically everyone has the option to use it unless it's only effective on people with ADHD.
It works on people whether you need it or not. It's essentially legalized speed. I don't think it speeds up your thought process, it just brings you more clarity and lets you focus easier. It doesn't turn your brain from a Pentium 4 into an i7.
 

LesMore

Top 8 Injustice Frosty Faustings VII
I agree on the illusion part. As far as them being addicting, not really. You don't gain a dependency on them like you do with meth or anything else like that. It's more like a mental addiction. They're about as addictive as pot. But I'm getting off topic here. >_>

But your first sentence is pretty much spot-on with my thoughts on this whole matter. It may make that person feel more confident in their abilities, but it doesn't change their abilities overall.
I agree with you, I think I digressed there because I wanted to mention that if anything it would be more of hindrance for someone than an advantage.
 

Braindead

I want Kronika to step on my face
What does Adderall do? Does it give you improved reflexes/reactions? That's a simple yes if it does.
 

jharris

I'm not surprised, motherfuckers
What exactly about it do you feel gives an unfair advantage? I'm not asking in a condescending manner, nor being a wise ass. I just want peoples' input on this is all.
if it gives you a better level of focus then that prevents outside distractions from being as big an issue, like crowd chanting or whatever other distractions there are to put you off your game
 
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Eldriken

Guest
What does Adderall do? Does it give you improved reflexes/reactions? That's a simple yes if it does.
It allows you to focus better than you normally would. That's why it's meant for people with AD(H)D; they have a hard time focusing and staying on task.

If you were to take one of those reaction tests online before taking Adderall and then after taking Adderall, there would likely be little to no difference.
 
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Eldriken

Guest
if it gives you a better level of focus then that prevents outside distractions from being as big an issue, like crowd chanting or whatever other distractions there are to put you off your game
A set of headphones provides that as well, yet it's not considered performance enhancing.
 

big j gleez

Mains: Not Sure Right Now ...
Steroids and adderall are not the same at all from a chemical and physiological stand point. Steroids are hormones and adderall is a stimulant.

Steroids ultimately allow for athletes to train more and recover quicker, thus allowing for more gains over the same period of time compared to someone who doesn't use them. This leads to the athlete being bigger, stronger and faster than they would be if they didn't take steroids.

Adderall uses stimulant components which effects the nervous system much more. Quicker reaction times, ability to play and practice longer, and an increased focus. In athletes stimulants can also make you stronger because of the effects on the nervous system, but most athletes, powerlifters and bodybuilders use other stimulants rather than adderall.

Both do make someone a better competitor for sure.

Regulation of all PEDs is always pretty awful. The masking is always ahead of the testing.