drugs and pool players
- Thread starter excop
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drugs
It's the Drug denial. They want to convince them selves that it helps so they can justify the usage. Long term is a result is total devestation to their game and their lives. I could give you a good example but I don't want to mention names on the forum. Very sad case. Butterflycues
It's the Drug denial. They want to convince them selves that it helps so they can justify the usage. Long term is a result is total devestation to their game and their lives. I could give you a good example but I don't want to mention names on the forum. Very sad case. Butterflycues
Also, many times pool players (especially road players) find themselves in action for long periods of time. This sometimes causes them to have to stay awake and full of energy for long periods of time as well. So, some feel the solution is to take something to help them to help them in these situtaions.
Southpaw
Southpaw
LOL.. ask this same question to 70% of the pro's!
Josh Palmer said:
yup yup.
you know they can play.
it helps them put the blinders on and foucs on the table 100%.
it helps them get in "the zone".
chris G
i started in drugs when i was 20 years old dumb thing but i use to play alot being high and i thought i played better with it but it was all in my head but it did make me concentrate better. I had this cousin that was a stoner and he wouldn't do work in high school at all and get all his work on friday get high and then finish all his work by that night and this guy was a A student. I know alot of people who still take drugs on league nights here in the bathroom and play their best game even the drunk players play very well Chemical Imbalanced is what i call them maybe they play good cause they don't have that fear of missing or losing. But i can play just the same way when i did when i was getting high along time ago so its just mind over matter.
I think there are a few answers. It sort of depends what kind of drugs you're talking about. As far as stimulants go, to include caffeine, ephedrine, ritalin, crystal meth, and cocaine to name a few, I think they do help you play when you're tired or involved in a marathon set (as a disclaimer, I haven't used any of these but caffeine, so I'm not really speaking from experience). They stimulate your nervous system, which makes you more awake, alert, sharp, and focused, which are good for pool shooting. Over the long term, though, you build up tolerance, and when not under the influence you become slower and less sharp, and eventually you can find yourself using the drugs just to get back to a normal level of nervous system function. So there are some definite down-sides.
If you're talking about some of the more recreational drugs, like pot and alcohol, I think they only give people the illusion that they shoot better high. Sober people around them don't often share this illusion. On the other hand, if you're addicted to any drug, or so used to operating under the influence that being sober is either uncomfortable or painful, I bet you do play worse when you're sober and better when you're high. But it's not being high that makes you better, it's the fact that you can't function without the drug that makes you worse.
That sounded kinda preachy, looking back on it. Oh well, drugs are often bad, kids. Exercise moderation.
-Andrew
If you're talking about some of the more recreational drugs, like pot and alcohol, I think they only give people the illusion that they shoot better high. Sober people around them don't often share this illusion. On the other hand, if you're addicted to any drug, or so used to operating under the influence that being sober is either uncomfortable or painful, I bet you do play worse when you're sober and better when you're high. But it's not being high that makes you better, it's the fact that you can't function without the drug that makes you worse.
That sounded kinda preachy, looking back on it. Oh well, drugs are often bad, kids. Exercise moderation.
-Andrew
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ridingthenine21
Registered
I think that if people ever want pool to become an olympic sport, that will probably mean NO DRUGS and testing for everyone. I am pretty sure this would include alcohol as well. Can the pro bowlers drink beer while they bowl in those tournaments?
I take vitamin 12 and eat lots of carrots 
I also smoke pot occasionally before playing, but I have to concentrate harder to complete my paterns. It is not a performance inhancing drug and hell I don't take it to play better, just for kicks on league night. If I'm playing a serious match or tournament I'm drug free.
Well, maybe not drug free, I've been known to drink Red Bull if I'm feeling a bit tired. There's less caffine than a cup of coffee in it, but the other ingredients leave you very alert and less stressed.
so yes/no I do/n't take drugs to play better.
I also smoke pot occasionally before playing, but I have to concentrate harder to complete my paterns. It is not a performance inhancing drug and hell I don't take it to play better, just for kicks on league night. If I'm playing a serious match or tournament I'm drug free.
Well, maybe not drug free, I've been known to drink Red Bull if I'm feeling a bit tired. There's less caffine than a cup of coffee in it, but the other ingredients leave you very alert and less stressed.
so yes/no I do/n't take drugs to play better.
I used to smoke a bit before I played. I did it mainly because it made me very calm and not so apt to worry about every little thing taking place. I would just kinda laugh it off and go about my business. Having said this. I would find times where I would be to lethargic to play at a high level.
All in all, it's best not to depend on such a thing
All in all, it's best not to depend on such a thing
Bill Hicks:
See I think, drugs have some ddone good things for us. I really do. And if you don't believe drugs have done good things for us. Do me a favor, go home tonight, take all your albums, all your tapes, and all your CDs, and burn them. 'Cause you know what? The musicians who made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years? Reeeeeeeal f'ing high on drugs.
See I think, drugs have some ddone good things for us. I really do. And if you don't believe drugs have done good things for us. Do me a favor, go home tonight, take all your albums, all your tapes, and all your CDs, and burn them. 'Cause you know what? The musicians who made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years? Reeeeeeeal f'ing high on drugs.
Black-Balled said:
I resent that. There were many great artist through the 60s and 70s who were stone sober while recording/performing. Here, let me name a few that come to mind...[crickets chirping in the night]...OK. You win. They were all on drugs.
Maybe I can't see the out on the table without my Graffix. I'll do some 'research' and report back...
3ballking said:
Yup, did that a few weeks ago. When the tournament started, I had been awake for 30 hours. My muscles couldn't help but be loose since I was sooo tired. I managed to stay awake by drinking 1 red bull and 2 beers a match. It was a two day event and I made it through to the next day. By the time I passed out that night I had been awake for 43 hours.
The next day, after getting a good nights sleep, I played like crap and finished in fourth. If it had been a one day event, I have no doubt I would have won. Maybe I should have just stayed awake.
I think Andrew and Slowhand hit the nail on the head.
Related story. I knew a player who just started playing pool was a real natural. He played at warp speed always messing up position.
I told him to slow down his game and think it out. The improvement was dramatic.
2 years later. I found The only change he put in his pool game was that he went outside for a smoke to prime the pump before the matches began. I asked him why, his reply was that he just sees the table better. After observing him several different times I told him, "bullhockey!"
I explained to him his game went from warp speed to slow. And after watching his "primed game" it was a rythme that was directly in between both of these speeds. (He later theorised that he need the slow play to think of every option. But as he progressed he really didnt need to take that much time anymore.)
I also told him, "don't become dependent on anything but yourself for this game."
He did a little research and found that his priming the pump had little to do with his excellent play. He just found the rythme of his game is all...
Related story. I knew a player who just started playing pool was a real natural. He played at warp speed always messing up position.
I told him to slow down his game and think it out. The improvement was dramatic.
2 years later. I found The only change he put in his pool game was that he went outside for a smoke to prime the pump before the matches began. I asked him why, his reply was that he just sees the table better. After observing him several different times I told him, "bullhockey!"
I explained to him his game went from warp speed to slow. And after watching his "primed game" it was a rythme that was directly in between both of these speeds. (He later theorised that he need the slow play to think of every option. But as he progressed he really didnt need to take that much time anymore.)
I also told him, "don't become dependent on anything but yourself for this game."
He did a little research and found that his priming the pump had little to do with his excellent play. He just found the rythme of his game is all...
Why do drugs....
This is why some people do drugs while playing and what effects it gives them:
Pros:
Cocaine: Allows your brain to think faster, know your english and speed control faster, and recognize patterns easier. Brain Stimulant.
Meth: Allows your body to move faster, speeds your stroke and timing to improve accuracy without the use of your brain. Body Stimulant.
Marajuana: Allows your brain to ignore outside stimulation, aplifies your nervous system, your more aware of what your body is doing. Nerve Stimulant.
Alcohol: Allows your muscles to loosen, subdues your nervous system. Nerve Depresent.
Cons:
Cocaine: Effects wear off to fast for prolonged games, mind switchs to wanting more Cocaine instead of shooting pool.
Meth: Less consideration for perfection, can lead to over shooting shape, as well as not playing/seeing patterns correctly.
Marajuana: Effects wear off after only about 30mins, which leads to a sleepy state in which you feel too exhausted to play more. Slows breathing down = less oxygen to brain = easy mistakes.
Alcohol: Unable to control nerves at a certain point, in which you cant stop yourself from swaying back and forth over your shot. Brain slows down = easy mistakes.
Personally IMO to play your best, you must eat, sleep, and drink well; and to tune into your nerves. These drugs can help your pool game by allowing you to see your game in a different perspective, and to get a better understanding of what your body is doing while you play. But like everything, to much is bad. If you find yourself thinking you can only play when drunk, or high, or whatever... then you have lost touch with yourself and your mind.
I smoke pot when playing sometimes, I feel I do it to put a disadvantage on my game, if I can struggle through while high... I can fly through sober.
This is why some people do drugs while playing and what effects it gives them:
Pros:
Cocaine: Allows your brain to think faster, know your english and speed control faster, and recognize patterns easier. Brain Stimulant.
Meth: Allows your body to move faster, speeds your stroke and timing to improve accuracy without the use of your brain. Body Stimulant.
Marajuana: Allows your brain to ignore outside stimulation, aplifies your nervous system, your more aware of what your body is doing. Nerve Stimulant.
Alcohol: Allows your muscles to loosen, subdues your nervous system. Nerve Depresent.
Cons:
Cocaine: Effects wear off to fast for prolonged games, mind switchs to wanting more Cocaine instead of shooting pool.
Meth: Less consideration for perfection, can lead to over shooting shape, as well as not playing/seeing patterns correctly.
Marajuana: Effects wear off after only about 30mins, which leads to a sleepy state in which you feel too exhausted to play more. Slows breathing down = less oxygen to brain = easy mistakes.
Alcohol: Unable to control nerves at a certain point, in which you cant stop yourself from swaying back and forth over your shot. Brain slows down = easy mistakes.
Personally IMO to play your best, you must eat, sleep, and drink well; and to tune into your nerves. These drugs can help your pool game by allowing you to see your game in a different perspective, and to get a better understanding of what your body is doing while you play. But like everything, to much is bad. If you find yourself thinking you can only play when drunk, or high, or whatever... then you have lost touch with yourself and your mind.
I smoke pot when playing sometimes, I feel I do it to put a disadvantage on my game, if I can struggle through while high... I can fly through sober.