Poker isn't mentally good for us. But what sort of major damage can it do?

Pokergambler11

Pokergambler11

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Let's be honest. The gambling side of poker isn't mentally healthy for our brains. I love playing poker but gambling in general can release to much dopamine which lowers our excitement levels or something. But can we do something to stop that? Or can it heal if we stop playing over time? I like to play poker but I'm not sure if I'm passionate or addicted. I think about poker a lot and find it very fun, I just don't want it to ruin my life. I can stop playing if I need to and I gamble responsibly,playing around 6-10 hours a week. I'm only $60 in debt in one year. So my questions are...

- If we gamble responsibly and play poker for fun or passion, will it minimise the mental affects?
- Can we mentally recover from any issues, like to much dopamine in the brain? (I don't want to be a dull old man for my whole life)
- Can it have any major effects?
 
Sakolik029

Sakolik029

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personally I'm not a gamer,although I play often but for half a year of playing I only lost 50 dollars,and won $ 60, ie $ 10 in the black I can play can not play force of will there,I believe that everyone should have the strong willpower to play poker
 
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CreAtiveN

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To much of anyhing is bad for you. Just try to find a balance which works for you. Easier said than done I know..
 
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matnautico

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Yeah, If I ever tried to live of poker it would drive me crazy for sure.
 
Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

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Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, you have any actual evidence to back up your theory, or did you get it from emk?
 
Bladepengeee

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Poker then dmage my mentally when some fishes get luck and beat me everytime with weak hands xD
 
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Edson

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I have a feeling that poker works for me positively. I try to play responsibly, I'm not a gambler. Poker has taught me that in life you should make optimal decisions as well as at the table. He learned a patience and composure. ;p

I do not understand how people can become addicted to poker and lose a fortune....
 
Syltan

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For me the only damage I inflicted is a poker hair and this in 30 years)
 
miric007

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I play poker for many years and I think that poker at me, did not leave any mental consequences (this is my opinion :))

For me poker knowledge can only financial damage, not mental.
 
jimmy andres

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Hello personally I say that playing poker is tiring and more if you do not see the results you want, sometimes it is frustrating but also very fun and exciting when you hit and win what you want, so my advice is play reasonably and try to see it In a fun way.
 
makisaa

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It is a matter of personal philosophy. Poker is a kind of exercize, a battle. So it must be faced with courage, patient and be carefull. You cannot see it just a game of luck. Knowledge and experience can fill the gaps of luck.
 
milka1605

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For me, poker is just a fun game in which you can also earn something. I am not a gambler and play for money rarely. Play for cash do not even like.
 
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mycashier

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Just do different activities to get the brain loose and free. Exercise is definitely the best way to counter the poker game
 
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chronical

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I'm no doctor in this field BUT! from a personal view point if you are actually "gambling" and not playing for fun/proffit you should either stop (or find help). If you feel that you can not control how much can allow yourself to basically burn on poker or any other type of entertainment you should not do that something. I know it's easy to say rather than do but I would not play with fire... I mean if you would be an alocoholic you would not think that "2-3 shoots is not that much" would be a good justification for your actions.
Any activity that you feel/is damaging for you should be stoped completely and not managed (if possible of course).
The poker player in me would be happy to see a guy/gal who would gamble away their kids trustfund on the other hand =))
...The gambling side of poker isn't mentally healthy for our brains...
this is a personal exp. as I see it. I was never a gambling person, never had the need to "play back" the $ I lost nor need a deposit from money I could not alow to spend on something else. If you can not afford or stop - dont do it.
If you are not planing on becoming a pro that follows strickt BR rules &/or can afford to lose you should look at poker as entertainment a circuis ticket, luck/smarts contest if you can not do that - dont do it.
...I'm only $60 in debt in one year...
this is were I think your problem is you think that poker ows you to get a return,that thous 60$ will comeback with % - it does not... or rather does not have to, it can, but does not have to

- If we gamble responsibly and play poker for fun or passion, will it minimise the mental affects?
- Can we mentally recover from any issues, like to much dopamine in the brain? (I don't want to be a dull old man for my whole life)
- Can it have any major effects?

-1. if you are not becoming a pro that is the only way you should be thinking about poker
-2. yes. most therapies relly exactly on replacment - dancing/youga/painting/.... i think you got the idea oа replacing bad dopamin activity with a personal good one, something that gets you off but is not that damaging
-3. financaly - hell yeah =) people sell their grandmoms jewelry/tv/sofas to play

P.S. on a personal note - srsly bro, 99% of gambling problems come from idiotic BR managment. Learnt it, there are 100 and 100 of mathematicians an pros who've spend hours of theory and practice for smart pro gambling life and thei give out that info for free. Is it realy that hard to remebmer 50BI for cash and 100BI for MTT(some rules may vary for your game of choise but I'm pretty sure there are some)

GL anyway =)
 
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psyho26

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All ludemann in a hurry to say you've got a separate diagnosis in ICD-10
 
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Two6JJ

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As long as you maintain an honest view of your situation the long term effect's should be minimal. Most people that I have encountered with a problem tend not to be aware that they indeed have a problem and need to stop or get help to stop.
 
eberetta1

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I think losing $60 playing poker over a Year's time is not going to cause mental damage. What surprises me more is the number of people that have no problem accumulating debt or spending more than they make and it comes with no consequences. So, I would not worry about the mental effects of your poker play at all.
 
enolan

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Poker is a fantastic game and is the perfect vehicle for developing your knowledge of probability, number theory, game theory & human psychology. So I would advocate that a healthy interest in poker is exceptionally good for your mental well being.

However, a key word in the statement above is 'healthy'. If your poker style is edging toward 'Maniac Gambler' then the following quote highlights the mental health implications that you may be heading for.

"Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results" - Someone Clever


If you actively seek to improve your poker knowledge\skill then the mental impact is simply 'using your brain', this is always a good thing. If you are just hoping to get lucky then ultimately poverty, stress and depression will take their toll on your mental state. This is not good. I like this quote from Edison to help me continually improve whether I;ve had a winning or losing session.

On inventing the light bulb, "When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work" - Edison

So, in conclusion ...
"You better know yourself" - Aisleyne Big Brother UK 2006
 
dbchristy

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To much of anyhing is bad for you. Just try to find a balance which works for you. Easier said than done I know..

I agree, and finding balance in anything fun, has always been kinda hard for me!
 
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gencoal

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Well..... I got brain damage first then started playing poker to keep my brain active .So [and I hope this is true] poker has been therapeutic and an even slightly social part of my day.
 
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