Doping in E-Sport: Understanding the Risks and Consequences

Singapore is set to host the world’s first Olympic E-sports week this summer, with talks of including e-sports in the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, there are several changes that need to be made before e-sports can become a full-fledged part of organized sports, according to Anne Tjønndal, a sociologist at Nord University.

Tjønndal raises questions about doping in e-sports, which she believes must be addressed in various environments, games, and research. Until now, the topic has been almost non-existent in Norwegian and Scandinavian contexts.

Aldri sett på det som et problem

Eirik Holdal organized the Arctic Gaming Experience for the first time in 2022. The competition featured the world’s elite gamers competing for hundreds of thousands of kroner in the Formula 1 of e-sports – the game Trackmania. Holdal has never considered doping tests at his events, nor has he ever heard of the misuse of drugs to enhance performance in gaming. In fact, he has never thought it could be a problem.

Holdal believes that Trackmania is still a relatively small game, and there may not be significant financial gains to cheat. He thinks that players may see more value in taking shortcuts when millions are at stake, making it more like organized sports.

Tjønndal believes that Holdal’s attitude towards doping in e-sports is a clear indication of the problem. However, no one can say for sure whether it is a widespread problem among Norwegian e-sports players, which is precisely the problem, according to Tjønndal.

In conclusion, the lack of testing and regulation in e-sports raises concerns about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. It is essential to address this issue to ensure fair competition and protect the health and safety of players.

Har You Heard of Doping in E-Sports?

Doping in e-sports is a known but less discussed problem. The reason for the lack of focus on doping in e-sports is that performance in e-sports is largely dependent on concentration and perception, unlike traditional sports where physical strength and stamina are key factors. The performance-enhancing drugs used in e-sports are often medications used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. These drugs are more prevalent and easier to obtain than steroids used in traditional sports. Doping in e-sports is a known pattern but a new field, according to researchers.

No one talks about it because everyone does it

According to Anne Tjønndal, most of the research on doping in e-sports has been done in the USA. It is an international perception that it is common to use drugs that are used in the treatment of ADHD. There have been some international doping scandals in e-sports in the past. However, in Norway, doping in e-sports has not been a topic of discussion, and it is not known whether it is widespread in the country.

Former Call of Duty player, Adam “KILLA” Sloss, told The Washington Post in 2020 that doping is a big problem in e-sports. He said it became too difficult to keep up with the use of drugs, and that was one of the reasons he retired from gaming.

The lack of discussion around doping in e-sports could be due to the fact that it is a widespread problem in the industry. Sloss’s statement suggests that many players use drugs to enhance their performance. However, due to the lack of regulation and testing, it is difficult to know the extent of the problem.

If e-sports is to be included in organized sports, it must comply with the strict rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), according to Tjønndal. However, the e-sports industry is diverse, with many different organizations and games, and there is no unified agreement on the issue of doping.

A Clear Advantage

According to Morten Finckenhagen, a senior physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency and a doping control officer, the use of central nervous system stimulants can largely enhance performance in e-sports. He stated that these substances can provide an increased level of alertness, endurance, and the ability to focus for longer periods, which can give players a clear advantage in competitions.

Finckenhagen emphasized that central nervous system stimulants are undoubtedly performance-enhancing drugs, and their use can improve performance in almost any activity. He also noted that while these substances cannot make a person better than they already are, they can help individuals reach their full potential.

In addition to improving focus and endurance, Finckenhagen also stated that the use of these substances can help suppress stress related to performance. This can allow players to enter a state of flow, where they can perform at their best without being hindered by anxiety or other distractions.

However, Finckenhagen also warned that the use of these substances can have both short-term and long-term side effects. For example, the ADHD medication Ritalin can cause sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, psychological problems, and decreased appetite. Therefore, the use of these substances should be approached with caution, and players should be aware of the potential risks before deciding to use them.

We should not be naive

President of Norway’s e-sports federation, Himanshu Gulati, is keen to raise awareness and knowledge about doping in e-sports. He wants to address this issue in the international e-sports forums of which Norway is a part. Gulati says that they are not aware of doping being a significant problem in Norway, but acknowledges that it could occur. He adds that it is easy to hide these activities when much of e-sports takes place at home.

Gulati acknowledges that most sports have had unfortunate examples of doping scandals, and e-sports is no exception. Therefore, he believes that it is essential to increase knowledge and research on how significant this problem is. If necessary, he thinks that the regulations should be tightened.

The president of Norway’s e-sports federation welcomes all research and increased knowledge, as well as cooperation with Antidoping Norge. He emphasizes that they take their sport seriously and want a good anti-doping effort.