Neuroenhancing medication use in poker players (research survey)

kclauson · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 05:52 PM

Dear Fellow Poker Player,

We are conducting a research survey to learn about adult poker players’ (18 years of age or older) use of medications, herbs, and other substances to improve their performance in poker. Examples include using Ritalin, alcohol, or energy drinks to stay awake, relax, or sharpen your memory. We believe this is important because people with other jobs or hobbies such as pilots, musicians, scientists, and students report they take these types of products to improve their performance.

We hope you take this chance to share your knowledge and ideas by completing a 10-minute, voluntary survey that you can get to by clicking the link below. Please note that by using this link and completing the survey means you are indicating your willingness to participate. >>

https://opinio.nova.edu:443/opinio/s?s=1171

To show our thanks for your time and efforts, each person who fully completes the survey can receive one lottery entry.* Four study participants will be selected from lottery entrants to each receive a (Product)^RED iPod shuffle* (proceeds of which go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria). We would also like to thank you in advance for your help and tell you that while your individual answers will not be shared with anyone, we do plan to make the summary results available so that others may benefit from your contributions. If you have any questions about this study, we would be happy to discuss them with you. You can reach us with the information below.

Sincerely,

Kevin A. Clauson, Pharm.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Nova Southeastern University
3970 RCA Boulevard, Suite 7006A
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(401) 472-4064

You can also contact the Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board at (866) 499-0790 or at irb@nova.edu about this research study.

*Only one completed survey per person is allowed.

Escalante · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kclauson

We are conducting a research survey to learn about adult poker players’ (18 years of age or older) use of medications, herbs, and other substances to improve their performance in poker. Examples include using Ritalin, alcohol, or energy drinks to stay awake, relax, or sharpen your memory. We believe this is important because people with other jobs or hobbies such as pilots, musicians, scientists, and students report they take these types of products to improve their performance

This made me lol. Sorry OP.

Why poker player, though? What's the ultimate goal of this survey.

TeddyKGB · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 11:17 PM

kclauson · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 03:23 PM

Cain,

We are looking to gather baseline data on the use of neuroenhancers (also referred to as cognitive enhancers) as this is a growing area of interest. Regarding why poker players, anecdotal reports dating back to our experiences at the 2004 Festa al Lago at Bellagio and periodically since then indicate poker players may be a priority group to investigate.

Similar to how cosmetic surgery has transitioned from restorative to elective/enhancing in nature, the use of these types of medications also appear to be evolving from restorative to enhancing. Hence, we are also very interested in the bioethical implications. There has actually been considerable attention in this area since we started this research project with an excellent example in the British Medical Journal at: http://bit.ly/16lyoW.

Hopefully this helps address your question.

KAC

TeddyKGB · #5 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 01:42 PM

we are human beings, not laboratory mice. I consider the implication that we would be interested in this sort of thing, taking medications that affect brain chemistry, for money, highly offensive. How much are you offerring? I mean a lottery for one crappy Ipod? are you serious? to monkey with our brain chemistry?

why dont you get a whole bunch of scientists to down seven bottles of hebacrack per day(by which I mean whatever company's product is paying for this study), for a year, and study that, that is if you can still find your pants and get to work by the time this crap eats your brains. better yet, get your students (the ones you are not rogering) to do it by suggesting a better grade is in it for em.

(btw make it 100 clams and Im in!)

Imasmrtazz · #6 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauss

we are human beings, not laboratory mice. I consider the implication that we would be interested in this sort of thing, taking medications that affect brain chemistry, for money, highly offensive. How much are you offerring? I mean a lottery for one crappy Ipod? are you serious? to monkey with our brain chemistry?

why dont you get a whole bunch of scientists to down seven bottles of hebacrack per day(by which I mean whatever company's product is paying for this study), for a year, and study that, that is if you can still find your pants and get to work by the time this crap eats your brains. better yet, get your students (the ones you are not rogering) to do it by suggesting a better grade is in it for em.

(btw make it 100 clams and Im in!)

Below are the results from Gauss' brainwave scan:

__________________________________________________ ______________

Bryan Devonshire · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 01:17 AM

jrw5001 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 01:50 AM

That's a lot of bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s

Stephen Vaughan · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 08:27 AM

Drugs are bad, people who take drugs are bad. Don't take drugs guys, or else you will be bad.

Harnisch · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 11:16 AM

Devo, my classical guitar teacher in college (brilliant musician) used to eat 5 or 6 bananas before going onstage to help fight overwhelming stage fright. Apparently it is a natural beta blocker.
Then he got a prescription for beta blockers.