will antidepressants and other psychotropic medications make me better at chess?

I play chess because I am a masochist. I know that I will never be really good at chess but I keep playing anyway and not just for the fun of it but also because deep inside I like to delude myself into thinking that maybe one day something will make sense and I will become really good at it. But unfortunately that's probably never going to happen. The reason is the following: I can memorize openings, endgames, I can learn tricks, solve puzzles, read chess books, etc... but that's not enough! You know why? Because my lack of ability to clearly visualize sequences of moves makes accurate calculation nearly impossible. I can calculate using an analysis board (I've come to think of the analysis board as the brain I don't have) but without it I'm helpless. That being said, does anyone know if antidepressants or similar drugs that temporarily enhance working memory will improve my OTB chess playing ability?

Hur hur.

If you believe you can, you will succeed.

If you believe you can't, you will succeed.

If the meds make you better, then you will be better.

what if i believe he can't?

Take it from someone who has been on a wide variety of anti psychotics, mood stabilizers and anti depressants at one time or another including: Risperdal, Haldol, Fluphenazine, Seroquel, Depakote, Lithium, Ativan, etc. No, It does not increase your ability to play chess at all. In fact, it inhibited my game playing. I always felt foggy in the head and was easily "tranced" (where I would find myself staring at the floor for several minutes without realizing it) I dont take any of these meds anymore and my ability to play has taken a jump up from when I was on them. ( I am not suggesting to anyone who is on pyschological medications to quit using them without first consulting your doctor) i decided to do this as a personal decision for myself and, yes I do suffer some consequence for it. I hope this helped you in some way. Keep playing and learning bro! Peace. :)

does taking psychotropic meds make you an expert in such meds?

Taking those drugs will not cause you to play better chess, though you may care a little less about your losses, Maaaan.

funny joke

No it doesnt, but i never claimed in my post to be an expert on psychotropic meds. Then again, probably very few people on this site are experts in such medications. So the fact that he is on a chess forum asking questions about pyschotropic drugs improving his chess playing ability means he is looking for opinions and not expert medical advice. I was just lending MY opinion & experiences in trying to play chess myself while on those type of meds. It didnt work for me. I dunno if it might work for him or not, because i am not him. Thanks again for your time! :)

there was research recently that suggested ritalin (used to treat ADHD) increases synaptic  connections , that should help you visualise sequences

your rating is 1900+ ,that puts you well within the top 5% of chess.com - you should be happy with your lot

Correspondence chess is not proper chess. My blitz rating is a more accurate representation of my strength as a chess player. Where does 1500 blitz put me? Top 50%?

Blitz isn't proper chess, either. What is your slow rating?

I agree with boots9548, drugs will absolutely not help you, they will only make it harder.

Chess, as with anything in life, is going to take a long time to learn. Just keep playing and trying to improve. Six months from now, look back at where you were and you will be amazed by your progress.

fair enough.  i guess my comment was a little rude.  sorry about that.

Your standard and blitz ratings are in the 95%+ percentiles of the site.

where did you look up those statistics?

... OR...

... Trolling to see who's on the stuff all ready... ;)

I haven't tried it myself, but I've seen and heard (reliable sources) what happens and it goes:

1) You gain weight

2) you become disinterested with pretty much everything - now you're no longer depressed, but just in a linear state, no ups, no downs

3) Isn't the above two points enough?

I was on Prozac for 6 months for depression, from my experience I would have to say no.

Not only did it stuff up my concentration and memory during that period, I found I had difficulty thinking clearly. I believe they damage your mind rather than enhance it.

Try green tea and fish oil.

Do you have depression or a psychological disorder of some sort? This sounds like a question you should be asking a doctor rather than random chess players.

I would think that antidepressants could help with things like motivation, focus, ability to function under time pressure and so on. I doubt that they will improve your tactical abilities though.

Also, judging from your activity levels around here, I don't think that you are depressed.