The Playing Field

Sport and Culture Through the Lens of Science

Steven Kotler is the author of West of Jesus: Surfing, Science and the Origins of Belief. His magazine writing has appeared in more than 31 publications. See full bio

February 25, 2008, Sport and Competition

Comments on "From Steroids to SSRIS: What Do We Really Mean By "Performance-Enhancement?""

From Steroids to SSRIS: What Do We Really Mean By "Performance-Enhancement?"

By Steven Kotler on February 25, 2008 in The Playing Field

If steroids ruin careers, why does no one have a problem with Prozac Nation making the team? Read More

Brain Injury and Depression

Submitted by Steve Brodsky on February 25, 2008 - 10:35am.

Interesting and exciting piece. Makes one think about the nature of the word "enhance." We always think of enhancement as a physical thing. As you point out, mental enhancement seems a whole other, perhaps overlooked, issue.

Only tangentially related but also very interesting are the studies on brain injury and depression. A notable study is the one done on retired NFL players, linking concussion to depression. Of course, this is a departure from what you've discussed here. But does suggest possible connectives that are interesting.

Depression and Concussions

Submitted by Randy Borum on February 26, 2008 - 10:27am.

I am a Professor (and psychologist) at University of South Florida where - among other topics - I conduct research on psychological factors affecting performance among combat sport athletes. I currently have a study underway with more than 400 mma fighters, grapplers, boxers, etc. Most specific aims of the study focus on sport performance, but I also am examining the effect of repetitive concussive injury on depression risk among these athletes.

As Mr Brodsky points out in the post above, in April of 2007 Kevin Guskiewicz and colleagues published in JSSM the results of their study on retired NFL players showing that multiple concussions were associated in a linear pattern with increased depression risk. In my study, I am using the same measure of concussion they used, but I incorporated a more specific measure of depression and the sample is much younger. My preliminary findings, however, are very consistent with the NFL study. Interestingly, though, I am also finding that some positive mental skills moderate that risk.

Is Mr Kotler suggesting that when athletes used standard practice guideline pharmacological treatments for their depressive disorders that this should be considered "doping" or "cheating"?

Maybe/Maybe not

Submitted by Steve Brodsky on February 27, 2008 - 6:42pm.

Good comment. Interesting study. Scary stuff.

About SK: I think he's asking us to question what we mean by "enhance." I don't think he's saying anti-depressants= cheating.

Hey, another question. Is there any evidence to suggest that there's a correlation between depressive tendencies and extreme sport? I've heard a good amount on the exploration of sport (esp. brain injury) leading to depression. I'm also interested in the exploration of sport as self-medication. There has been plenty of discussion of all the positive pain killers released etc etc. I'm wondering if that line of inquiry has gone further in the direction I'm discussing. ?