Cognitive and Performance Enhancing Medication Use to Improve Performance in Poker.
J Gambl Stud
; 32(3): 835-45, 2016 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26450125
ABSTRACT
Use of neuroenhancers has been studied in groups ranging from students to surgeons; however, use of cognitive and performance enhancing medications (CPEMs) to improve performance in poker has remained largely overlooked. To assess the use of CPEMs to improve poker performance, a survey of poker players was conducted. Participants were recruited via Internet poker forums; 198 completed the online survey. Approximately 28 % of respondents used prescription CPEMs, with the most commonly used including amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (62 %), benzodiazepines (20 %), and methylphenidate (20 %). CPEMs were used in poker to focus (73 %), calm nerves (11 %), and stay awake (11 %). Caffeine (71 %), as well as conventionally counter-intuitive substances like marijuana (35 %) and alcohol (30 %) were also reported to enhance poker performance. Non-users of CPEMs were dissuaded from use due to not knowing where to get them (29 %), apprehension about trying them (26 %), and legal or ethical concerns (16 %). Respondents most frequently acquired CPEMs via friends/fellow poker players (52 %), or prescription from physician (38 %). Additionally, greater use of CPEMs was associated with living outside the United States (p = 0.042), prior use of prescription medications for improving non-poker related performance (p < 0.001), and amateur and semi-professional player status (p = 0.035). Unmonitored use of pharmacologically active agents and their methods of acquisition highlight safety concerns in this cohort of poker players, especially among non-professional players. The current state of guidance from national organizations on CPEM use in healthy individuals could impact prescribing patterns.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Assunção de Riscos
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Comportamento Aditivo
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Cognição
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Melhoramento Biomédico
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Jogo de Azar
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Gambl Stud
Assunto da revista:
PSICOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos