What is trading? Just a game of figuring probabilities and deciding bet size. But just a game none the less. Some poker players drink all the time at the table and for some it helps. Im sure there are many traders that drink to take the edge off, if that works for you, do it. For some coffee is the answer. The heavy equipment operator drinking before work is a bit of a stretch though. the operator has peoples lives around his machine at stake...not a good comparison.
I know I always feel more comfortable if the pilot takes a drink to take the edge off just before take off
Thats a terrible analogy. A pilot has his and OTHERS lives on the line when flying. When I am trading, it is my own ASS if I dont do it right (not married, no kids). Come back when you have an analogy that actually makes sense here.
Dont pop a vein, just having some fun, if you cant laugh at yourself then drinking is the least of your problems
I think that there are some here who understand what my experiment means and what its trying to accomplish and there are others here that will not and can not fathom what it is I'm doing. Its fine either way, everyone is entitlted to their opinions. Generally, I equate trading to life in many ways. Only a few get to the very top, some do ok but most everyone else struggles. Things that are popular or mainstream to do, generally do not get you to the top in life (ie getting a normal job in corporate america etc). You have to think outside the box and do things that might seem a little insane to some people (like having a bit of alcohol b/f trading) but as long as you have a reasonable objective and you keep the experiment controlled, I do not see the harm. Life is a one shot deal, why be passive and mediocre? Try new things, expect to fail sometimes. Do not let that temporary failure lead you to quitting. Like I mentioned b/f, if this alcohol thing doesnt work, I will move on. No big deal, took a shot (literally ) and it didnt work.
Actually... Because I make about 250 trades/day... My trading can be compared to running five 6.5 hour marathons each week... (I have been a runner much of my life)... Plus 1.5 hours of preparation before the 9:30 bell. It's basically a near superhuman effort... And I have been taking a carefully evolved drug cocktail for > 10 years. But the drugs I take DO NOT alter my concentration or math skills or decision making... All of which deteriorate rapidly under the influence of alcohol. No way booze and trading mix... you will never convince me. Many forms of poker are much more of a waiting game... So perhaps booze in moderation won't hurt certain very experienced types... But todays young poker stars do not look like drinkers to me.
HoundDog, thanks for sharing. Would it be possible to describe what it is you take (drug cocktail)? Or is that info too private?
What I dont understand is, from some of the responses on this thread, why some of you think we humans are so perfect? I mean, you must feel this way if you are so ademately against substances mixed with trading. I firmly admit I am not perfect and that imperfection is holding me back from achieving the kind of results I'd like. I am very curious to hear what HoundDogOne has to say (if he's willing to share). So to JJ and the rest of the bunch, do you all feel like we are so well equipped by nature to tackle the markets? That there is no need, besides positive thinking and an edge, to do or use anything to enhance our performace. I mean, its illegal to use steroids in sports b/c it gives a clear edge but in trading anything goes. I am not saying my one drink idea is the best for this sort of thing, but perhaps there is something else out there that is safe to take but also creates better trading performance. Anyone care to share or add anything? Surely I am not the only one who would like to see better results but having a difficult time on my own doing so.