Have any of you had any experience with NO2? My weight lifting friends swear by it. I'm a little anxious about trying it.
NO2 is a hemodialator from MRI. Its supposed to open the blood vessels, thereby increasing circulation, healing, etc. According to my weight lifting friends (and the little book I bought) NO2 is the best thing to come along in a long time.
Thanks,
Parents
Former Member
Jerry, Aquageek,
I think you both have valid points, and what's best for Terry (the original poster with the question, remember him/her?) depends on Terry's objectives.
Aquageek, I like your point about all of us learning from people who are willing to try something new, and you are correct when you ask for specific, scientific data on specific substances. Obviously, some substances are less effective or safe than others, and we need to get specific if we want to draw any valid conclusions.
Jerry, I appreciate the cautions you sound about messing around with our metabolism. Why are we in this sport? Does recognition as one of the faster swimmers in USMS justify taking a risk, even if it is a small risk? Very valid questions to ask.
My view is that it depends on what you want. If you are a professional athlete, or an Olympic hopeful, and a legal supplement (I distinguish these from substances that are not legal for competition, and will get you DQ'ed/suspended if you are found out) will make the difference between "winning" and a six or seven figure income, and unemployment, obviously, there is a strong incentive to use that supplement.
On the other hand, if you are in a sport primarily for your own fitness and personal fulfillment, why jack around with "supplements" that have not been tested for safety or effectiveness. I'll not denigrade anyone's desire to make top ten or set USMS records, but how many of us have those objectives at the top of our list, and how many mostly want to have fun while staying in shape, and being as fast as we can be within the limitations the rest of our lives impose on our swimming? I'd venture that most of us are in the later category.
Aquageek, you are right; there is precious little data. For me, that is a cautionary flag. The FDA has little authority over the "nutritional supplement" industry, and some of the claims sound a bit ridiculous. The 19th Century snake oil salesmen would smile and nod their heads knowingly at some of the pseudo-scientific nonsense out there. Favorite obscure quotation:
"The mystery man came over.
And he said, 'I'm outta site.'
He said for a nominal service charge,
I could reach nirvana tonight.
If I was ready, willing and able,
To pay him his regular fee,
He would drop all the rest of his present affairs,
And devote his attention to me....
With the Oil of Aphrodite,
And the Dust of the Grand Wazoo.
'And I'll tell you something else, little fella.
It'll cure your asthma too!'
But I said,
'Look here, brother.
Who you jivin' with that cosmic debris?'"
Frank Zappa
For me, show me it's safe; show me it's effective. Then I'll decide if I feel like it would be cheating, and whether I'd want to use it.
Terry, you asked the question. What do you think? How are things working for you?
Matt
Jerry, Aquageek,
I think you both have valid points, and what's best for Terry (the original poster with the question, remember him/her?) depends on Terry's objectives.
Aquageek, I like your point about all of us learning from people who are willing to try something new, and you are correct when you ask for specific, scientific data on specific substances. Obviously, some substances are less effective or safe than others, and we need to get specific if we want to draw any valid conclusions.
Jerry, I appreciate the cautions you sound about messing around with our metabolism. Why are we in this sport? Does recognition as one of the faster swimmers in USMS justify taking a risk, even if it is a small risk? Very valid questions to ask.
My view is that it depends on what you want. If you are a professional athlete, or an Olympic hopeful, and a legal supplement (I distinguish these from substances that are not legal for competition, and will get you DQ'ed/suspended if you are found out) will make the difference between "winning" and a six or seven figure income, and unemployment, obviously, there is a strong incentive to use that supplement.
On the other hand, if you are in a sport primarily for your own fitness and personal fulfillment, why jack around with "supplements" that have not been tested for safety or effectiveness. I'll not denigrade anyone's desire to make top ten or set USMS records, but how many of us have those objectives at the top of our list, and how many mostly want to have fun while staying in shape, and being as fast as we can be within the limitations the rest of our lives impose on our swimming? I'd venture that most of us are in the later category.
Aquageek, you are right; there is precious little data. For me, that is a cautionary flag. The FDA has little authority over the "nutritional supplement" industry, and some of the claims sound a bit ridiculous. The 19th Century snake oil salesmen would smile and nod their heads knowingly at some of the pseudo-scientific nonsense out there. Favorite obscure quotation:
"The mystery man came over.
And he said, 'I'm outta site.'
He said for a nominal service charge,
I could reach nirvana tonight.
If I was ready, willing and able,
To pay him his regular fee,
He would drop all the rest of his present affairs,
And devote his attention to me....
With the Oil of Aphrodite,
And the Dust of the Grand Wazoo.
'And I'll tell you something else, little fella.
It'll cure your asthma too!'
But I said,
'Look here, brother.
Who you jivin' with that cosmic debris?'"
Frank Zappa
For me, show me it's safe; show me it's effective. Then I'll decide if I feel like it would be cheating, and whether I'd want to use it.
Terry, you asked the question. What do you think? How are things working for you?
Matt
