Is The Gaming World Turning Into The New Drug Market? |
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We've all heard of performance-enhancing drugs in sport. From testosterone sources to stimulants, anabolic steroids to Modafinil, "doping" has been widely frowned upon in the world of sports as it not only essentially promotes cheating, but can also be potentially dangerous to one's health. That scenario we all quite have a clear picture of. But in gaming?Apparently, there seems to be this budding new culture in the gaming world where drugs take up the spotlight. Sure, we all know how tiring games can get, what with all the actions you have to deal with just to win. And it's no secret that there are gamers who do load up on Red Bull or Gatorade, or whatever popular energy drinks loaded with caffeine, sugar and various other stimulants of their choice to keep the adrenaline pumping. But what's been making more noise is the prescriptive drug Ritalin, which gamers use to stave off fatigue.
Ritalin - generic name methylphenidate - is more commonly used as treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome. Yes, it is for calming people down, and helps in the improvement of one's concentration. However, what makes this drug palatable to gamers is that it is actually a stimulant - and a powerful one, at that. In fact, because it is so potent, the US federal government has classified it as a Schedule II narcotic, along with opium, cocaine,
PCP, and Oxycontin. That's some heavy-tripping group!
This is not the first time, though, that Ritalin has been put under scrutiny. Prior to its gala in the gaming domain, the drug was already a popular choice among college students, especially for those late-night cramming sessions, and has earned the nickname "Vitamin R" and "R-ball". Alarm levels have been raised because of the growing trend of over-prescription and abuse of this drug.
I'm not really sure just how effective a deterrent the Schedule II classification is, but the fact is that Ritalin is not the only drug that is gaining popularity among gamers. There are amphetamines, nootropics or "smart drugs", and, if you're on the adventurous side, even an experimental mix of Ecstacy and Viagra will do. Gamers now have become more creative with their mix of uppers, that Marijuana-tripping while gaming can already be considered a classic combo.
Licensed psychologist Dr. Maressa Orzack, founder and coordinator of the Computer Addiction Services Clinic at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts that treat video game addiction, believes that heavy game play can lead to many gamers trying illicit substances to up their performance and stamina for playing. "Amphetamines and methamphetamines are becoming popular; they can certainly help you stay up for long hours and probably help enhance the excitement. A lot of gamers, particularly the addicted ones, try to find ways to avoid sleep and keep their concentration." She goes on to say that while her patients have not told her of Ritalin and amphetamines, she won't be surprised when someone does.
Via twitchguru
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Comments [refresh]
^**^
Some people just need to get a life
why trying to stay up longer when u know you will have to sleep anyway
just go to sleep you idiots, the next days already awaits
Have you ever played a game for 8+ hours straight? If it's a game like Halo 1/2 which involve a lot of stress, it's VERY tiring. People who compete in Halo 2 leagues like MLG and WSVG need to play for 8 to 10 hours per day (if they want to win), for three days straight. It's incredibly taxing on the body without some kind of stimulant, even a weak stimulant like Gatorade helps a lot.
When they say games can be tiring it has nothing to do with being sleepy.
Video games are a great way to escape from reality.
Drugs are a great way to escape from reality.
Video games + drugs = Yeah Baby !!
"Boredom is not a burden anyone should bare" (Tool)
OMG PEOPLE ADDICTED TO GAMES OMG OMG! what about the people addicted to porn, or gambling? what about them. see nothing will come of this because it provides the government with revenue, but as soon as the majority of the public starts complaining THEN we should be worried, for example in ontario canada, smoking inside any public building results in a massive fine because the majority of the public wanted it
that Marijuana-tripping while gaming can already be considered a classic combo.
indeed it can indeed
Did you even read the fu*king article? They're not talking exclusively about people addicted to games, the point of the article was that people addicted to games are using real drugs so they can play/compete more.
Nice article!
To me it sounds like the journalist of this article has never touched a substance in his/her life. But who calls being high, "Marijuana Tripping"?