Think Good Play Good

What You Should Know

Substances can impact your health and performance.
Everything in moderation is probably fine.…except meth.
It’s important to go out with friends and wind down, have fun.
I want you to know what these substances do and how they impact performance, so you can make a judgment call.
If it’s getting hard to control or you’re battling, reach out.

• It impairs reaction time and hand-eye coordination for up to 24 hours (Volkow et al., 2014).

• Disrupts REM sleep—slows muscle and brain recovery (Babson et al., 2017).

• Reduces drive and goal-directed behaviour with chronic use.

• Weakens decision-making and real-time awareness in high-speed environments.

• Slows recovery: reduces testosterone, increases cortisol, and interferes with protein synthesis (Lakicevic, 2019).

• Worsens sleep quality: suppresses REM and increases nighttime awakening.

• Impairs reaction time and balance, usually the day of and day after drinking.

• Linked with higher injury rates in elite athletes (O’Brien & Lyons, 2000).

• Short-term stimulation, long-term crash: rebounds include fatigue, anxiety, and irritability.

• Raises heart rate and blood pressure dangerously - risky in high-exertion sports.

• Disrupts focus and judgment; increases impulsive plays and mental errors.

• Associated with higher soft-tissue injury risk due to tension and risky behaviour.

• Narrows blood vessels -> slows muscle recovery and healing.

• Nicotine increases anxiety and messes with motor coordination during shifts.

• Can disrupt sleep due to its stimulant effects. Recommended not to take for 1-2 hours before sleep.

• Dental problems (infection, gum damage) affect nutrition, hydration, and ultimately performance.