Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Muscle-Building Steroids
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic drugs designed to mimic testosterone, the main male hormone. Athletes sometimes use them to increase muscle size and strength. These drugs can boost muscle growth and may also speed up recovery from intense training. Some athletes take “designer” versions to avoid drug tests.
Using anabolic steroids brings many risks. Men can develop larger breasts, smaller testicles, and face infertility. Prostate problems can also happen. Women might notice a deeper voice, a bigger clitoris, more body hair, and possible baldness. Missed periods are common, too.
People who use these drugs often get severe acne, liver damage, or liver tumors. Blood pressure can rise, and cholesterol levels can change in unhealthy ways, raising the risk of heart disease. Muscles may grow faster than tendons, causing tendons to weaken or tear. Mood changes, aggression, depression, and addiction can occur.
Teens risk stunted growth and long-term health problems. Sharing needles can spread diseases like HIV or hepatitis. Most sports groups and the law ban these drugs. Buying them outside a pharmacy is dangerous because of possible contamination and incorrect labeling.
Summary Table: Main Side Effects of Muscle-building Steroids
| Group | Men | Women | All Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | Breast growth, shrunken testicles | Deeper voice, hair loss, larger clitoris | Acne, liver damage, high blood pressure |
| Reproductive | Infertility | Missed periods | Heart issues, cholesterol changes |
| Mental | Mood swings, aggression | Mood changes | Depression, addiction risk |
Hormone Supplements
Androstenedione, or andro, is a hormone found in everyone. The body changes it into testosterone and some estrogen. Some believe that taking andro will help build muscle or speed up recovery, but research does not support these claims. In the United States, only doctors can prescribe andro. Using andro as a sports supplement is illegal.
Side effects are similar to those from anabolic steroids. Men can experience shrinking testicles, breast growth, and reduced sperm production. Women may develop a deeper voice, lose hair, and get acne. Andro harms the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk for heart attack and stroke. These risks can be life-threatening.
Key Points: Hormone Supplement Risks
- No proof of better muscle or recovery.
- Legal only with a prescription.
- Heart attack and stroke risks are serious.
Growth Hormones for Athletic Gain
Some athletes use human growth hormone (hGH) to try to increase muscle mass or athletic performance. The hormone is also called somatotropin. Some claim it helps build muscle, but studies do not show clear benefits in strength or endurance. Doctors prescribe hGH only for certain health conditions. Risks are many, and people usually inject the hormone.
Common side effects include joint pain, muscle weakness, swelling from extra fluid, and blood sugar problems that can lead to diabetes. Other dangers include an enlarged heart, vision problems, and numbness or weakness in the hands. High blood pressure can also develop.
Common Side Effects Table
| Possible Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Joint and muscle pain | Aching, weak feelings |
| Swelling | Extra fluid accumulation |
| Blood sugar problems | Risk of diabetes |
| Nerve issues | Tingling, numb hands |
| Heart problems | Enlarged heart, high BP |
Increasing Red Blood Cells with Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and enhancing endurance. Some athletes, particularly in endurance sports like cycling, have used synthetic forms of this hormone to gain a competitive edge.
However, using erythropoietin for performance enhancement poses significant health risks. It can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism. In the 1990s, several professional cyclists died under circumstances that may have been related to the misuse of this substance.
How Erythropoietin Affects the Body
| Benefit on Performance | Consequences or Side Effects |
|---|---|
| More red blood cells | Stroke, heart attack, arterial block |
| Higher endurance | Risk of sudden death |
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and all major sports leagues.
Using Diuretics
Diuretics are drugs that help the body lose water and salt. Athletes may use them to drop weight quickly or as “masking agents” to hide drug use by diluting urine. However, all diuretics carry risks, even when prescribed for health reasons.
Dehydration is a common and dangerous side effect. Athletes who use diuretics often experience muscle cramps, dizziness, weakness, and dangerously low potassium levels. This can lead to losing balance, feeling faint, and in severe cases, death due to extreme dehydration.
Risks of Using Diuretics
- Severe dehydration
- Cramps and muscle weakness
- Low potassium (hypokalemia)
- Lightheadedness and poor balance
- Life-threatening consequences
Diuretic abuse often happens in sports with weight classes or where athletes try to hide drug use.
Muscle Energy Boosters
Creatine is a natural substance found in the body and in foods like meat and fish. Athletes often take creatine supplements, usually as powder or pills, hoping for small bursts of extra strength or faster muscle recovery. Creatine helps supply energy to muscle cells by increasing stores of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It works best in sports needing quick, powerful bursts, like sprinting or weightlifting.
Research suggests that creatine can help with short-term muscle power, but benefits are limited. Side effects include water retention, cramping, stomach pain, and muscle strain. Some people get digestive problems such as diarrhea or nausea. Long-term safety is still not proven.
Creatine Quick Facts
| Benefit | Potential Risk |
|---|---|
| Fast energy | Cramps, water storage |
| Power burst | Stomach upset |
| Muscle recovery* | Not proven for all |
*Recovery benefit is debated.
Wakefulness and Focus
Stimulants include substances such as caffeine and ephedrine, as well as prescription-only drugs classified as central nervous system stimulants. Athletes may use them to increase alertness, boost energy, enhance focus, or combat fatigue during intense events. Some also turn to cognitive enhancers, or nootropics, for similar effects.
While stimulants might appear to aid performance under stress, they carry serious risks. Common side effects include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, headaches, and dehydration. At higher doses, they can lead to irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or stroke.
Stimulant use can also negatively impact mental health. These substances can be habit-forming, increasing the risk of substance misuse, mood disturbances, or even psychosis. Many sports organizations prohibit stimulant use, and taking them without medical supervision is dangerous.
