Purdman said:
Cannabis as a performance enhancer.
- Thread starter Secaucus Fats
- Start date
To add to the debate, I've smoked herb for over twenty years and I've played in a number of conditions from dead sober to well stoked. After a significant amount of experimentation, I've found that while a SMALL amount may help in terms of relaxation, it doesn't help your ability to see the balls with the absolute clarity that's necessary to play your best pool. As such, I no longer smoke any at all before playing. The best consciousness-altering activity before playing, IMO, is breathing exercises. You have all the relaxation and focus, the killer instinct is unimpaired, and man do you see and execute well. In short, a little weed ain't so bad, but proper breathing and concentration simply can't be beat.
There was a program on T.V. about this very subject. Not about pool but the effects on you after smoking...As far as performance, NO. As far as judgment, YES. This is what was said from the study...
So making balls, no problem...Making the right decision, YES...
My scotch doubles partner is an excellent pool player. We cash in Vegas BCA every year...She is smart and shoots lights out...
We were in a big tournament once and we were running over everybody...She went outside with a girlfriend and when she came back in we were up again. We started our game and she got ball in hand. There was a ball in front of one side pocket and another in front of the other. She opts for a long, table length shot, trying to draw back 5 feet to break up some balls. She missed and broke up the other teams balls and they won the match. She did the same dumb things the next match and we were out.
I asked her if she had smoked with her friend outside before the match and she said yes...
A few weeks later at a singles torunament she wound up in the hot seat. She goes out with the same girl and comes back in and loses twice and come in 2nd....Shooting and making the wrong choices...
I confronted her and asked if she smoked outside again and she said yes. I told her if she wanted to remain my partner she CAN NOT SMOKE WHEN WE ARE PLAYING TOGETHER....
WE are now winning again and will play in Vegas again this next year. It really affected her decision making....You all may not agree or it may not effect you this way, or so you think, but it sure did her...
So making balls, no problem...Making the right decision, YES...
My scotch doubles partner is an excellent pool player. We cash in Vegas BCA every year...She is smart and shoots lights out...
We were in a big tournament once and we were running over everybody...She went outside with a girlfriend and when she came back in we were up again. We started our game and she got ball in hand. There was a ball in front of one side pocket and another in front of the other. She opts for a long, table length shot, trying to draw back 5 feet to break up some balls. She missed and broke up the other teams balls and they won the match. She did the same dumb things the next match and we were out.
I asked her if she had smoked with her friend outside before the match and she said yes...
A few weeks later at a singles torunament she wound up in the hot seat. She goes out with the same girl and comes back in and loses twice and come in 2nd....Shooting and making the wrong choices...
I confronted her and asked if she smoked outside again and she said yes. I told her if she wanted to remain my partner she CAN NOT SMOKE WHEN WE ARE PLAYING TOGETHER....
WE are now winning again and will play in Vegas again this next year. It really affected her decision making....You all may not agree or it may not effect you this way, or so you think, but it sure did her...
Secaucus Fats said:
Fats, I suspect that anything used for relaxation and recreation is good to go if it helps you make the most of that time.
However, when we are carrying out our day to day activities, IE, work what ever that may be, a contractor, a cook, a pool player, if you need performance enhancers to function I suspect that you have a problem.
I also suspect that long term you consistency will not be good, because when using any substance long term it will effect your ability to maintain that same level of consistent thought.
So I guess what I am saying is that I think someone who can perform their daily activities without any enhancement will long term be more consistent than someone using any form of enhancement for performance.
manwon
JCIN said:
you must not know many.
all the ones i know and have seen, smoke and/or drink before a match.
i'm not gonna fire out any names, but i promise you, they are big names.
chris G
Secaucus Fats said:I want to thank all for their responses.
I don't view pot as a dangerous or addictive substance, in fact it's the safest psycho active substance around and far less harmful than alcohol.
I know lots of people who like to have a beer or a drink or two before they play. And we all know that there are some people who actually play very well when drunk.
I'm not aspiring to become a pro, I have no desire to play in regional tours and if truth be known I'm getting bored with league play. What I enjoy the most is playing matches against good players, whether it's on a 9 ft table or a barbox.
I'm not advocating the use of cannabis, or any other substance for that matter. For me a few good tokes and I'm good to go. For others, it may seriously interfere with their ability to play well. Different strokes for different folks.
The history of the game is full of champions and legends who used and abused any number of substances. Alcohol, speed, downers, pot you name it. Now again- I'm not advocating any of the above. But of all of those things, cannabis is the safest and least harmful.
I do find it amusing when some folks chastise others for smoking weed while enjoying their third Irish Car Bomb after having polished off a few pints of beer, or whatever else it is they think they need.
You betcha I smoke on occasion and I'll have a goofy grin on my face while I run the table. Afterwards, I'll go home and sleep well. I'll get up on time, and I won't be nursing any form of a hangover. If that makes me an undesirable element then so be it.
Your statements sound fair and truthful especially for you. I have no problem with your "hobby or your words. However, I would add, that some people who use weed or any other drug may feel the need to move on to the next "better" drug, until being a productive member of society is nothing more than an opium pipe dream.
JoeyA
at last a subject on a forum close to my heart
i smoke every day and i have to say the dose is the important factor
no drugs and im jumpy and nervous too much and im blind as a bat
my practice partner and i have smoke breaks between sets and this rarely affects me but if i smoked the same amount before a match i would be battered.
i have to say if you do have a "j" before playin and you lose its always a great excuse
i smoke every day and i have to say the dose is the important factor
no drugs and im jumpy and nervous too much and im blind as a bat
my practice partner and i have smoke breaks between sets and this rarely affects me but if i smoked the same amount before a match i would be battered.
i have to say if you do have a "j" before playin and you lose its always a great excuse