Performance-Enhancing Drugs: A Cheat Sheet

Have open, honest and non-judgmental discussions about PED use and body acceptance, the experts said. Since these drugs can affect the neurotransmitter pathways in the brain, sleep patterns, movement, emotions, appetite, sexuality and learning are all impacted, Hemendinger said. All these changes stack up while the root cause or reason for taking PEDs in the first place could be reduced and better addressed by speaking with a therapist or psychiatrist, she said. A significant challenge for healthcare providers, however, is the ease of access and attendant opportunities for misuse. The reasons behind the high use of these dangerous products are multifaceted, according to Emily Hemendinger, MPH, LCSW, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the CU School of Medicine. But they center around a societal conception that ties worth to physical appearance – a notion that technology has made inescapable, she said.

• The misuse of narcotics can cause respiratory issues and in rare cases death.
• Excess hemoglobin can cause acromegaly, which may lead to bone disfigurement and thickening of cartilages.
• In most professional sports, the use of PEDs is banned, and athletes caught using them often face severe penalties, including suspensions, fines, and damaged reputations.
• Given that many of the known side effects have negative health implications, athletes who use illegal and banned substances to enhance their performance are not only breaking the rules but also risking serious health problems.
• By reducing tremors and anxiety, beta-blockers can improve accuracy and steadiness.

Top 10 Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: 2025 Guide

Short for branched-chain amino acids, they’re a common ingredient in many pre-workout products designed for fitness performance. Emerging technologies and genetic research may further complicate the ethical landscape, potentially blurring the lines between natural and enhanced performance26. The following methods are considered unethical by WADA and are also illegal for athletes. An example is DNP, which is not legal but is sold illegally as a weight loss drug. It is dangerous to take this substance as it is extremely toxic, and you can easily overdose.

Can You Become Addicted to Performance-Enhancing Drugs?

Russian army doctors developed bromantane as a stimulant, something they could give to soldiers and cosmonauts to help them feel more alert and fight fatigue. Soon after, Russian athletes got hold of the drug, reporting that it helped them perform at peak levels without feeling exhausted. It’s a risky gamble, especially considering the lack of scientific evidence to suggest that hGH actually increases athletic performance.

Diuretics and masking agents

The ethical debate around PEDs also extends to issues of consent and coercion, as some athletes may feel pressured to use drugs in order to remain competitive, even if they would prefer to compete drug-free. The use of PEDs raises significant ethical questions about fairness, integrity, and the spirit of competition. Many believe that using these drugs undermines the value of sports as a showcase of human ability, hard work, and dedication. For many, the temporary gains provided by PEDs are not worth the long-term costs they impose on their physical and mental health, career prospects, and personal relationships. Relying on performance-enhancing drugs can cause athletes to lose trust in their natural abilities. When athletes use PEDs to achieve success, they may come to believe that they are incapable of performing at a high level without chemical enhancement.

Marion Jones, a once-celebrated Olympic sprinter, admitted to using anabolic steroids in preparation for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She returned her five Olympic medals, including three golds, and was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to federal agents about her drug use. HGH aids in muscle and tissue growth, allowing for faster recovery and improved performance. It is favored by athletes looking to gain lean muscle mass and recover quickly from injuries. While the goals of taking drugs — improving performance or recovery time — are largely the same across sports, the policies of major sports all vary considerably regarding their testing methods and penalties.

• By the end of this article, you will have a well-rounded understanding of the complexities surrounding PEDs and the impact they have on both individuals and the broader sports community.
• Anabolic steroids were first developed in Nazi Germany, where they were used to increase the aggressiveness of troops in battle.
• They also have beneficial effects on quality of life and improved physical functioning.
• The primary medical use of these compounds is to treat conditions such as hypertension, kidney disease, and congestive heart failure.

There are hundreds of nutritional supplements and more are being produced each year. These products undergo little human testing and no testing in children and adolescents, which can be potentially dangerous. (22) Currently, most nutritional supplements are not recommended for consumption by those under age 18 years.

Healthcare Readers

This can be particularly valuable for athletes who have limited time to prepare for competitions or who need to make rapid improvements in their performance. This faster recovery allows athletes to train more frequently and intensively, giving them a competitive edge and helping them avoid downtime due to overtraining or injury. That’s “selective androgen receptor modulators,” and in the 1990s they were viewed as a safer alternative to steroids. Most commonly taken orally, SARMs remain popular (boxer Ryan Garcia failed a drug test for them recently) and are similar to steroids in that they target androgen receptors. Made famous by pro cyclist Alberto Contador, who attributed his failed drug test to tainted meat, clenbuterol is classified as a bronchodilator in countries where it’s prescribed legally.

For instance, erythropoietin (EPO) increases red blood cell count, improving oxygen transport but can cause cardiovascular issues and thrombosis. Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are a class of substances that can elevate physical or mental performance. These substances typically work by stimulating the central nervous system, thereby increasing alertness, focus, and physical capabilities in a short period.

Physical Health Risks: More Harm Than Gain 💔

Many people who inject anabolic steroids may use nonsterile injection techniques or share contaminated needles with other users. A variety of side effects can occur when anabolic steroids are misused, ranging from mild effects to ones that are harmful or even life-threatening. For an NBA player, maybe it’s knowing that he can always come clean, so to speak, and get free treatment. For an NFL wide receiver, maybe it’s the possibility that an easily obtained Adderall prescription could improve his reflexes. For an MLB player, maybe it’s the fact that random tests are few and Sober living home far between.