In Poland the legal definition of sport has been changed to any competition based on intellectual activity, holding players to the same legal standards as athletes.

There also seems to be a general consensus among esports organisations to crack down on doping, with major competitions often having standardised drug testing — but for smaller tournaments with less money it seems pill-popping will be a mainstay of minor league esports.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Copyright © The Badger. All rights reserved Website Design by Jasmine Thorne and Emma Scrace. Search for:. Image credits: pxphere Words By: Rhys Mather Athletes have been doping for as long as competitive sports have existed, and a staggering number of them do it.

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Research found that university students, parents and healthcare providers perceived the media as an important source of information about neuroenhancement 3. Their interviewees were concerned that unbalanced reporting could normalize behaviour. The World Anti-Doping Agency WADA and the US Anti-Doping Agency USADA consider Adderall to be a performance enhancer.

The National Basketball Association NBA , National Football League NFL and Major League Baseball MLB have included it on their list of banned substances. In , the Electronic Sports League ESL — one of the oldest and largest esports leagues — announced it was introducing anti-doping measures 4.

It partnered with the Nationale Anti Doping Agentur NADA , to create an anti performance-enhancing drugs policy. It also teamed up with the World Anti Doping Agency to help enforce and disseminate guidelines and rules surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs at ESL events worldwide.

However, even though some esports industry leaders claim that the illicit or unprescribed use of amphetamines has been eliminated, players can easily circumvent anti-doping restrictions by obtaining an ADHD diagnosis. When the MLB introduced a ban on stimulant use without a therapeutic exemption, the incidence of players with an ADHD diagnosis jumped from 28 to players 5 in a single year.

Another barrier to removing drugs use in esports is location. Often, esports tournaments are not held in one physical location which makes it extremely difficult — if not impossible — to administer drug testing.

In , Epic Games hosted the annual Fortnite Winter Royale. There was no feasible way for Epic Games, or any other governing body, to check whether players were using performance-enhancing drugs.

The risks of using prescription-enhancing drugs include long-term dangers and adverse events, including sudden death. Research points to addiction, misuse, tolerance, psychosis and cardio-vascular damage as long-term dangers of stimulant use.

Research points to addiction, misuse, tolerance, psychosis and cardio-vascular damage as long-term dangers of stimulant use.

The interactions of stimulant use and gaming on the dopamine reward systems in developing brains is also a concern, as are links of substance abuse and gaming disorders. Therefore, the implications of stimulant use on long-term health, substance abuse and addiction within the esports world are significant.

Maria St. Pierre, Clinical Project Manager at the Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital, compared Adderall to performance-enhancing drugs in traditional sports and believes its use is now rampant among professional gamers.

Those taking Adderall have an unfair advantage over someone who is not taking Adderall or any other stimulants. Physically, Adderall is like taking speed or meth.

Psychologically, not only is it a highly-addictive drug but it can also cause psychosis and paranoia. As esports competitions and viewership grow at unprecedented rates, and with it the use of stimulants, we must engage responsibly with the implications for esports players.

The motivations and perceptions of players who use prescription stimulants — as well as the long-term cognitive, psychological and physical impacts of stimulant use on many up and coming competitive gamers — must be understood to be effectively addressed.

With the exponential growth in esports and problematic gaming on the rise, helping professionals need to be equipped to understand this booming industry, and have robust tools and insights to work with esports gamers and their families. To find out more, register your interest for our upcoming Esports Mental Wellness Training which is launching this summer.

Enter your email to receive monthly trends, insights and resources on gaming and digital disorders. Enter your email to receive monthly trends, insights and resources on gaming, esports and mental health. Enter your email to receive immediate access to Lesson One of our internationally-accredited Gaming Disorder Clinical Training.

The Use of Prescription Drugs in Esports and Gaming. Use of prescription drugs in esports It is an open secret within the esports community that many esports players and video gamers use medication, like Adderall, which is often prescribed to treat people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD.

Should psycho-stimulants be banned? Risks of prescription-enhancing drugs The risks of using prescription-enhancing drugs include long-term dangers and adverse events, including sudden death.

Esport Mental Wellness Training With the exponential growth in esports and problematic gaming on the rise, helping professionals need to be equipped to understand this booming industry, and have robust tools and insights to work with esports gamers and their families.

MEMBER LOGIN. Get your free lesson. Email Address. For those who have ADHD, the drug is used to calm them down and help them focus on the world in front of them.

However, for those without ADHD, it can help people stay up all night cramming for an exam or writing a paper. This drug is abused frequently among college students.

For gamers, they are attracted to the drug due to the belief that Adderall will allow them to play for longer, with better mental focus, and therefore better ability. In actuality, doctors say that any perceived performance boost is likely due to the placebo effect. Essentially, because gamers believe that they are more focused, they become more focused.

This drug is commonly used so that young students can learn easier, with fewer distractions. As Adderall users get used to the drug, they build up a tolerance. In order to achieve the same effect, they have to increase their dosage.

This can be dangerous, as there are potential side effects to Adderall. Side effects of Adderall include loss of appetite, weight loss, upset stomach, vomiting, nausea, headache, diarrhea, fever, and insomnia 4.

Additionally, more serious side effects sometimes occur. Uncontrolled movements, change in sexual desire, and signs of blood flow problems are possible.

Not only is it illegal to take, but doctors have said there is no real biological difference to taking the drug. It is a slippery slope to take this drug, and it can lead to numerous health problems. If you, or anybody you know, is currently abusing the drug, it is important to seek help.

It is often difficult to quit on your own, and rehab centers such as Modern Recovery are available to help break this unhealthy habit. Upon entering rehab, patients begin a detox process. Once an individual has chosen to seek the help of Modern Recovery, there are a variety of resources we provide.

These resources include individual therapy, such as holistic therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention education, meditation and mindfulness, and more. Modern Recovery is focused on educating our patients on the consequences and effects of drug abuse and addiction.

Contact us today and we can work with you to create a healthier, happier life. Author: Robert Castan APRIL 25, Robert Castan is a member of the Executive Leadership Team at SpringBoard Recovery. Robert started his professional career as a house manager and has become an industry leader and trusted voice in the treatment world.

He brings extensive knowledge of organizational growth, industry-leading outcomes, and comprehensive marketing to SpringBoard Recovery. Robert has been walking his own path of recovery for over 10 years. This path has truly driven his ambition to help make treatment available to others who are struggling with addiction.

Robert finds great joy in traveling and keeping physically active, with an emphasis on biking. Robert resides in Arizona with his husband and two four-legged children. We Accept Most Insurance Plans.