The use and misuse of optimal performance

Written by Stuart Haden on November 7, 2018

Even though more and more people are recognising the benefits of incorporating non-ordinary states into their lives and work this doesn’t mean it won’t have its problems. Historically any time this has shown up it’s lead to upheaval and misuse. Whilst the insights from psychology, neurobiology, pharmacology and technology give us better means to practice optimal performance there will always be those who use and abuse.

We have seen it in sport even though elite athletes submit ‘biological passports’ confirming their unique baselines for hormones, blood profiles and neurochemicals. What if we also have to declare certain brain chemistry subversive? Whilst we are developing optimal performance for the masses, with it comes the control for power – the ‘master switch’.

Where do we draw the line? The video game industry may have taken this further than anyone. Nicholas Kardaras an addiction specialist describes, “Games are a multi-billion dollar industry that employ the best neuroscientists and behaviour psychologists to make them as addicting as possible.“ 

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” Chartres. This posting was inspired by Stealing Fire, Chapter 9: burning down the house