Air gun sport and drug doping, would it be fair?

Many target shooters do indeed use a powerful drug that reduces nervousness. Nicotine! 

I believe it's against the rules to use alcohol at a match (understandably). However many people take anti-anxiety medications by doctor prescription....which might up their scores a bit. Antihypertensive Atenolol also works for stage fright (fear of public speaking), which could also help your hold.

Good thing there's no prize money in this sport, lest we become like cycling

I guess since I am on HRT therapy I can hold my gun up longer, For my age, LOL.
Mike

Your vision may be a little blurred, You think your scope can compensate for it?
May be a couple of Bud lights on top of it while no one is watching,
Mike

Nicotine will only calm your nerves if you're addicted to Nicotine and need a fix. Although, Wikipedia says that it is an odd chemical in that it is both a stimulant and a relaxant. So maybe there's something to that...

I am on hydrocodone and soma (muscle relaxant) for a bad back. also blood pressure medication. I can tell you I am noticeably more accurate just after taking them. Not a twitch!

I would think that if it were a medically necessary drug it would be ok, as in high blood pressure meds. Having said that I have friends in their 50's that take testosterone because their levels are low. They are buff like you wouldn't believe and say they feel like they are 18. I think they'd have an advantage against me on a wrestling mat. Olympic shooters get tested for sure. I guess at some point it's a distinct possibility that competitive shooters would be tested.

yes it is fair,only not fair is if your caught.the rules have to state what is acceptable.if the completion is among club members and friends who really cares.i guess if I intended to make a living at it shooting,then all you better have in you is what momma gave you at birth.this far to serious for me.lol

That picture is hilarious..hahaha. Any kind of meds that mellow you out as well as weed.

So how would you apply the rules to people like myself who are on pain medications for life and go through severe withdrawal symptoms without them? I have severe nerve damage and can not function unless I am medicated so it seems like applying this type of rule would eliminate people like myself from competitions. 

There was a recent article in WSJ on a related issue. Some Masters bicycle racers (older age group) got in trouble for testosterone - because it builds muscle, improves training efficiency, etc. However they were given this by their MDs because they tested low for testosterone.

Isn't this unfair to normal-testosterone bike racers?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/prescription-steroids-get-a-quiet-exemption-1461365753

In any case AR target shooting is a hobby sport for fun, not money. So probably best not to worry about it.

There will always be cheaters in this world, no matter what your doing. By the way people on prescribed medication don't effect them the crazy ways.

I do not think anyone who is being medicated for good reason should be victimized for it, if someone has low testosterone then surely it is fair to have that level raised by medications to a normal level. If someone is on a medication to enable them to function normally in life then why should they be penalized, they are not getting the medication to improve their ability to do something they are taking the medication to allow them to function. Sorry but from where I am sitting the whole drug thing can be taken too far, there is a huge difference between someone who knowingly cheats by taking performance enhancing drugs and someone who takes them for a known condition and can not function without them. I am not talking about any forms of sedatives, which can help relax the person and calm their nerves, I am talking about certain medications, where without them the person just can not function normally. After all, if that person does not take them, they are at a severe disadvantage to someone without any medical conditions, isn't than an unfair advantage to the person with good health?
I personally think the whole drug thing is taken too far because of sour grapes, someone gets beaten and does not like it and will use any excuse to try and get the winner disqualified. There is a huge difference between taking performance enhancing medications and medications taken for a long standing known condition. The problem is, where do you draw the line, do you ban everyone who takes any form of medication, including cold remedies etc. My personal view is if I get beaten in a competition by someone, I congratulate them, they shot better than me and deserved to win, why have we started to become a bunch of whiners not liking to lose and looking for excuses?
I hope we do not take this too far and start acting like the pro's, Neil.

I suppose one way to look at it is; if it's available to everyone, then it's up to you to decide to use it or not, then it's fair! Much like using a shooting glove, mechanical rests, or polarized glasses, etc.

Daxx all I was trying to say is that for people like myself, the drugs in no way enhance my performance, they just allow me to have a more functional life. They never completely relieve me of all the pain they just dull the amount of pain I am in to allow me to function. Without them there is no way I could concentrate or function like a normal person. It is a very difficult area for anyone to determine what should be allowed and what should not. Without the meds I would not be able to work or do anything normal people do and I am sure they are also responsible for my worsening vision, so they could also be seen as detrimental. I am glad I am not one who would have to decide on this subject because I weigh things up from both sides and would be arguing both cases in my own head, it would drive me crazy, thank god the decision would be left to others, lol, Neil.

You Guys are funny.
Like my Perkin's Patient that told me he stop drinking coffee,
when I ask why , He said he kept spelling it all over myself..
That was in a another life time for me..
Now when I have an attack and I hit the albuterol a little heavy
I get the shakes, I can still take a sparrow at 48 yards on a tripod. And rifle
My pistol free hand is another story.
And I do not eat peas with a fork anymore, The wife makes fun of me.
Mike