Approximate reading time: 11 minutes

In an extraordinary multiverse, where countless parallel universes exist at the same time, Pool Shark X stands as the reigning Galactic Champion of pool. However, their title is under unique threat during the climax of the final game. A mysterious villain, known as Quantum Cue, driven by his desire to take this year’s title, possesses a unique and dark power — the ability to transport Pool Shark X across different universes, forcing them to replay the final game over and over again in each universe. Yet, there’s a twist — in every universe, Pool Shark X faces a unique impediment; Quantum Cue has secretly dosed our hero with a moderate amount of a different drug (as discussed in our States of Consciousness chapter) in each universe. The stakes are incredibly high; if Pool Shark X loses a game in even one universe, Quantum Cue will claim the prized title of Galactic Champion.

The referees — watchful observers stationed across the multiverse — have carefully documented Pool Shark X’s performance during each pool game in each universe. These observational notes are crucial, as they reveal not only the skill of Pool Shark X under the influence of various drugs, but also Quantum Cue’s determination to try anything to win. Can Pool Shark X maintain their champion status in every universe, despite the pharmacological (drug) hurdles placed in their path? This sci-fi epic not only promises a thrilling adventure but also serves as our educational review. By comparing the evidence-based effects and impairments associated with each drug, the story helps us learn the physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, performance, social, and spiritual impacts of each drug category discussed in our States of Consciousness chapter.

Will Pool Shark X’s skill and resilience be enough to outsmart Quantum Cue’s plans and emerge victorious across the multiverse? The answer lies in the unfolding saga of Pool Shark X’s multidimensional battle for the top prize.

Baseline Universe: Pool Shark X with No Drug Influence

This baseline universe serves as a control for understanding the effects of drugs in alternate universes. In the baseline universe, Pool Shark X’s performance, unaltered by any substances, provides a pure measure of their skill, concentration, and strategic acumen.

• Physical: Precise control over cue stick, excellent hand-eye coordination for accurate ball striking.
• Emotional: Balanced and focused, maintaining composure under pressure.
• Cognitive: Strategic foresight, accurately judging angles and planning multiple shots ahead.
• Behavioural: Consistent and deliberate in shot selection and execution.
• Performance Impact: Executes complex shots with precision, effectively sets up for subsequent shots, and maintains control of the table.
• Social: Exhibits fair play courtesies with other players, communicates effectively with opponents and spectators, maintains a respectful demeanor.
• Spiritual: Finds deep satisfaction in the skillful play and strategic mastery of the game.

Stimulant Universe: Cocaine or Amphetamines

• Physical: Initially sharper reflexes, but later, fine motor control may suffer, affecting shot precision.

• Emotional: Heightened confidence can lead to overestimation of abilities.

• Cognitive: Early boost in focus, but as effects wane, difficulty in planning and adjusting strategies.

• Behavioural: More aggressive shot choices, potentially neglecting defensive play.

• Performance Impact: May start strong with impressive break shots but struggles with precision in long play sequences.

• Social: Increased talkativeness, possibly tipping into aggression or overconfidence in interactions.

• Spiritual: The initial euphoria fades into a disconnect regarding the game’s deeper strategic nuances.

Depressant Universe: Alcohol or Benzodiazepines

• Physical: Slowed reflexes and impaired coordination, leading to missed shots and poor cue control.
• Emotional: False sense of relaxation, potentially ignoring the game’s pressure.
• Cognitive: Impaired judgment, making it difficult to calculate angles or anticipate opponents’ moves.
• Behavioural: Inconsistent play, alternating between overly cautious and recklessly bold shots.
• Performance Impact: Struggles with precision and complex shot setups, often failing to execute planned sequences.
• Social: May exhibit lowered inhibitions, leading to inappropriate comments or diminished awareness of social cues.
• Spiritual: A sense of detachment from the competitive aspect, losing sight of the game’s intricacies.

Opioid Universe: Heroin or Morphine

• Physical: Marked drowsiness, leading to sluggish movements and delayed reactions.
• Emotional: Detached euphoria, reducing competitive drive.
• Cognitive: Clouded thinking, hindering strategic play and shot planning.
• Behavioural: Reduced physical activity, showing little interest in positioning for the next shot.
• Performance Impact: Poor execution of shots, difficulty in maintaining focus on the game sequence, often misjudging force and angles.
• Social: Limited interaction, potentially withdrawn or indifferent to others’ reactions and feedback.
• Spiritual: An escape from the present, losing the connection to the game’s immediate challenges and joys.

Hallucinogen Universe: LSD or Psilocybin

• Physical: Distorted sensory perceptions, making it challenging to align shots or judge distances.
• Emotional: Wide mood swings, affecting consistency and approach to the game.
• Cognitive: Altered perception of space and time, complicating shot sequencing and strategy.
• Behavioural: Unpredictable play, possibly fascinated by the visual effects of the game rather than the outcome.
• Performance Impact: Difficulty in executing precise shots, often misjudging angles and power needed, leading to erratic game play.
• Social: May exhibit profound shifts in mood, from deep connection with spectators and opponents to sudden withdrawal or anxiety.
• Spiritual: Experiences may offer profound insights but are misaligned with the competitive goals of the game.

Cannabis Universe: Marijuana

• Physical: Mild coordination issues, affecting shot precision and timing.
• Emotional: Increased relaxation, which can reduce stress but also competitive edge.
• Cognitive: Challenges with short-term memory and decision-making, impacting strategic play.
• Behavioural: Varied concentration, sometimes hyper-focused on a single shot but missing the broader game strategy.
• Performance Impact: Inconsistent shot execution, difficulty in planning and executing multi-shot strategies.
• Social: Enhanced sense of camaraderie or, conversely, increased introversion, affecting team dynamics and communication.
• Spiritual: May experience a heightened appreciation for the aesthetics of the game, though not necessarily improving performance.

Inhalant Universe: Solvents or Aerosol Sprays

• Physical: Immediate physical impairments like dizziness, severely affecting all aspects of game play.
• Emotional: Brief euphoria followed by confusion, impacting emotional regulation.
• Cognitive: Significantly impaired judgment, making strategic thinking nearly impossible.
• Behavioural: Erratic and uncoordinated actions, leading to ineffective play.
• Performance Impact: Struggles with basic shot execution, unable to follow through on game plans or adapt strategies.
• Social: May exhibit inappropriate or erratic behavior, struggling to maintain coherent interactions.
• Spiritual: A profound disconnection from the game, seeking detachment rather than engagement.

Note to reader: You have read this far. Congratulations! Want to hear how the story ends? Read on …

After an epic journey through the multiverse, Pool Shark X, with cue in hand, has faced off against the mysterious Quantum Cue in a series of high-stakes final games. Each universe presented its own unique challenge, because Pool Shark X was secretly dosed with a different consciousness-altering drug in each, testing their skills in ways unimaginable. Despite the odds, Pool Shark X’s resilience and adaptability shone through, narrowly winning victory in some of the universes where the drugs’ effects dramatically shifted their accuracy and perception.

Quantum Cue, driven by his desire to claim the title of Galactic Champion, watched in disbelief as Pool Shark X, against all odds, won every game across the multiverse. Quantum Cue’s plans were thwarted, his ambition crushed by the undeniable skill and spirit of Pool Shark X. Enraged by the failure of his master plan and Pool Shark X’s triumph, Quantum Cue exploded in a burst of fury and disappeared into a vortex, swearing revenge. Whispers now hint at Quantum Cue’s return for next year’s competition, plotting a comeback with even greater challenges.

With Quantum Cue’s challenge behind them, Pool Shark X returns to the reassuring setting of the baseline universe. After a whirlwind tour of universes that would leave even the most seasoned interdimensional traveler dizzy, Pool Shark X is relieved to be back where the pool balls are stationary until struck, the angles are predictable, and the only high spirits involved are those of the ones cheering from the sidelines, not those caused by substances.

The variety of social interactions, the philosophical spectators, and the surreal settings of each universe taught Pool Shark X more about themselves and the game they love than they ever thought possible. But it’s in the baseline universe, with its straightforward games and clear-cut rules, that Pool Shark X finds true satisfaction. Here, the essence of pool — strategy, skill, and sportsmanship — reigns supreme, unclouded by the wicked manipulations of Quantum Cue or the effects of any substance.

As Pool Shark X racks up for another game, they can’t help but wonder about their next adventure. What challenges might lie ahead? What new lessons will the multiverse reveal? For now, though, our hero relishes their victory over Quantum Cue and the simple joy of playing pool in their home universe. The saga of Pool Shark X and Quantum Cue concludes not with a bang, but with the reassuring clack of pool balls—a testament to the enduring appeal of the game across all universes. This epic adventure of Pool Shark X teaches us a powerful lesson: the best wins come from doing what we love most, where hard work and smart thinking shine.