Last year a high profile pro-gamer admitted to using Adderall, an ADHD drug, during competition to give his team an extra edge. As a result, the Electronic Sports League decided to use the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances and begin drug testing players to even the playing field. Adderall is obviously prohibited, but another “drug” on the list is marijuana.
The ESL knows the majority of its gamers medicate with marijuana or use it recreationally to enhance game play. COED Magazine published the “Top 12 Jobs You’ll Do Better While Stoned” and Video Game Tester was high on the list. For this reason, the ESL is conducting random saliva tests during competition. Saliva tests mean that if a player does use marijuana recreationally, their THC levels will be significantly lower after 24 hours of discontinued use. This becomes sort of a gray area, but the official rules state that the use of marijuana is prohibited from the first to last day of competition. Breaking these rules can result in loss of prize money or up to a 2 year ban from the ESL.
Still skeptical about the gaming advantages of marijuana use? A study conducted by the Groningen Mental Enhancement Dept. in the Netherlands showed that using marijuana while gaming can take your scores higher than ever. The study was conducted over the course of a year between two groups of Alzheimer’s patients. Both groups played increasingly difficult video games as the year progressed, the control group remained sober, while the other group smoked marijuana before playing. The second group that medicated with marijuana scored on average 43% higher than the control group. This study supports the theory that medical marijuana gives gamers and Alzheimer’s patients a huge advantage in game play and in life!
Sources:
Marijuana’s positive effects on your Xbox play is no game theory
No more high scores: ESL bans pot use during e-sports tournaments
Marijuana ban for pro gamers during contests under new drugs policy