It is no secret that modern professional sports have long turned into competitions of pharmacological laboratories (see for example How natural is modern “natural” bodybuilding).
A large portion of professional athletes resort to doping. Sports chemistry is becoming increasingly popular among amateurs, promising them incredibly fast results in muscle mass gain, endurance increase, and weight loss.
BUT.
The use of doping is associated with serious health risks.
And if you really want to experiment with something “miraculous,” take a few minutes to understand what it might lead to.
In this article, we will discuss the most popular types of doping in sports (including anabolic steroids, androstenedione, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, diuretics, creatine, stimulants, and others), their mechanisms of action, possible consequences, and side effects of their use. The source of information is the website of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Main thoughts:
Testosterone is approved for medical use in certain cases, but NOT in bodybuilding
Testosterone stimulates explosive muscle growth and increases recovery speed
Side effects of diuretic use include: muscle cramps, dizziness, death, fainting, and more.
Stimulants are used by athletes to increase reaction time, endurance, and reduce feelings of fatigue
Beta-2 agonists dilate the bronchi and increase blood flow to the muscles and liver
Side effects of beta-2 agonist use: headaches, sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, nervousness
Drugs in sports are often used together with steroids to reduce pain during intense training
Side effects of beta-blockers: low blood pressure, slow heart rate, sleep disturbances, bronchospasm
Blood doping is used to improve blood supply to working muscles and other organs
Side effects of blood doping: increased strain on the heart, accelerated blood clotting, stroke
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Steroids
Anabolic steroids: what they are and how they are used in sports
Some athletes take anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass and strength.
Our body produces some steroids on its own, the most important of which is testosterone.
Testosterone has a dual effect:
- Anabolic effect: promotes muscle mass growth.
- Androgenic effect: responsible for male traits such as facial hair and deep voice.
To enhance these effects, many athletes additionally take testosterone, most often in synthetic form.
– How to take testosterone?
This hormone is approved for use in medicine in certain cases, but NOT in bodybuilding. Improving athletic performance is not included in its list of indications. Testosterone is usually taken in the form of tablets, injections, or ointments.
Testosterone is approved for use in medicine in certain cases, but NOT in bodybuilding
– Why is testosterone so attractive to athletes?
Besides explosive muscle growth, it helps recover faster after workouts by reducing the degree of muscle cell damage. This allows for more frequent training with heavier weights without reaching overtraining. Additionally, some athletes enjoy the aggressive state that accompanies testosterone use.
Testosterone stimulates explosive muscle growth and increases recovery speed
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Designer steroids: what they are and how they are used in sports
One particularly dangerous type of anabolic steroids is known as designer steroids. They are synthetic steroids produced illegally, and their use cannot be detected by current methods.
Designer steroids are produced specifically for professional athletes and are not used for medical purposes.
They are not tested and do not receive the “approved” stamp from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and pose a particular danger to athletes.
Designer steroids are produced illegally specifically for professional athletes. They cannot be detected by doping tests. They pose a special health risk, as they do not undergo quality control.
Steroids: consequences of use and side effects
Many athletes take anabolic steroids in doses significantly higher than medical prescriptions. Most side effects are studied directly on users, without requiring scientific experiments: for scientists, such studies would be impossible for ethical medical reasons.
The use of anabolic steroids is accompanied by serious side effects.
Some physiological and psychological side effects of steroid use can potentially manifest in anyone who takes them, while others are specific to men and women. The list below is not exhaustive.
Male-specific side effects:
- Breast growth
- Testicle shrinkage
- Impotence
- Decreased sperm production
Female-specific side effects:
- Deepening of the voice
- Ceasing of breast development
- Increased hair growth on the face, abdomen, and upper back
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Menstrual cycle disturbances
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Consequences of steroid use that are characteristic for both men and women:
- Acne or “pimples” (very many)
- Increased risk of tendon rupture due to ligaments not keeping pace with muscle mass strength; tendon ruptures are often observed after the end of a steroid cycle
- Baldness
- Liver dysfunction and the development of cancerous tumors
- In the case of steroid use by adolescents – growth retardation (related to the closure of growth centers in long bones) and development (including sexual), as well as the risk of future health problems
- Increased levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins)
- Decreased levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Aggressive behavior, anger, or violence
- Mental disorders such as depression
- Drug addiction
- Infections or diseases such as HIV or hepatitis from drug injections
- Increased aggression and sexual desire, which can lead to abnormal sexual and criminal behavior
- Withdrawal from anabolic steroids can be accompanied by depression, and in some cases, suicide.
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The use of anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance is not only banned by most sports organizations but is also illegal.
The use of anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance is not only banned by most sports organizations but is also illegal.
Important: Over the last 20 years in the USA, due to effective law enforcement, the distribution of illegal steroids has moved to the black market.
This, in turn, makes the use of steroids even more dangerous, as the substances available on the market (in the USA) are produced in other countries and smuggled in (often from Mexico) or made in underground laboratories.
In any case, they do not meet safety standards and may be chemically contaminated, making them doubly dangerous to health.
The majority of steroids sold on the market are produced underground or smuggled in => Lack of quality control, health risks are doubled
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Androstenedione
Androstenedione: What It Is and Its Use in Sports
Androstenedione is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. It is converted into testosterone and estradiol in men and women. This substance is legally available on the market, but only by prescription.
Manufacturers and glossy bodybuilding magazines promote androstenedione’s ability to help athletes train more and recover faster. However, its use in sports as a performance-enhancing drug is illegal in the USA.
Important: Scientific studies refute these claims and show that additional intake of androstenedione DOES NOT increase testosterone levels and muscles DO NOT become stronger with its use.
Androstenedione is marketed as a substance that helps train more and recover faster. Scientific studies refute this.
Androstenedione: Side Effects
Side effects of androstenedione use in men:
- Acne
- Decreased sperm production
- Testicular shrinkage
- Increased breast tissue
Side effects of androstenedione use in women:
- Acne
- Masculinization: deepening of the voice and hair loss like men
Both men and women experience a decrease in “good” cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Hormones
This is a broad group of substances that includes peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances. In medicine, they are used in various situations, including for cancer treatment or providing assistance to premature infants.
Examples of substances in this category include growth hormone, erythropoietin, insulin, human chorionic gonadotropin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Growth Hormone: What Is It and How Is It Used in Sports?
Human growth hormone, also known as gonadotropin, is a hormone with anabolic effects, i.e., it promotes muscle growth.
Athletes take it to increase muscle mass and performance. However, its effectiveness in increasing strength and endurance has not been conclusively proven.
It is available only by prescription and is administered by injection.
Growth hormone does indeed stimulate muscle mass growth, but its effectiveness for increasing muscle strength or endurance has not been proven.
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Erythropoietin: What Is It and How Is It Used in Sports?
Erythropoietin is a specific type of hormone that is used in medicine to treat anemia in patients with severe kidney disease. It increases the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, leading to improved oxygen supply to the muscles. Epoetin is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, commonly used by endurance athletes as a blood doping agent.
Important: The use of erythropoietin among cyclists was particularly widespread in the 1990s and likely caused at least 18 fatalities. Misuse of erythropoietin can increase the risk of thrombosis and lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism.
Erythropoietin improves the oxygen supply to muscles by stimulating the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Hormones (Including Erythropoietin): Side Effects of Use
- Arterial hypertension or increased blood pressure (growth hormone, erythropoietin)
- Blood cancer / leukemia (growth hormone, erythropoietin)
- Anemia (erythropoietin)
- Strokes (erythropoietin)
- Heart attacks
- Pulmonary embolism (erythropoietin)
- Feminization or manifestation of female sexual characteristics in men (growth hormone)
- Thyroid problems (growth hormone)
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Growth hormone: side effects of use
Side effects associated with the use of growth hormone / gonadotropin:
- severe headaches
- loss of vision
- acromegaly (protruding or enlarged jaws, brows, skull, hands, and feet)
- cardiomegaly (enlarged heart)
- high blood pressure and heart failure
- diabetes
- cancerous tumors
- debilitating arthritis (inflammation of the joints that makes movement impossible)
- joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome
- muscle weakness
Diuretics
Diuretics: what are they and what are they used for in sports?
Diuretics or water pills, which alter the natural balance of fluids and salts (electrolytes) in the body and can lead to dehydration.
Water loss reduces the athlete’s weight, allowing them to compete in a different weight category.
Diuretics also help pass doping tests by diluting urine and, consequently, the concentration of banned substances (steroids, hormones) in it. They are often referred to as “masking” agents for this reason.
In medicine, they are used to treat hypertension, kidney diseases, and heart failure.
The use of diuretics without medical supervision can lead to potassium depletion and even death.
Diuretics promote the elimination of fluid from the body, “masking” the presence of other banned substances (steroids, hormones, etc.) in it.
Diuretics: consequences of use and side effects
Diuretics in any doses, even those recommended in medicine, predispose athletes to the occurrence of side effects:
- dehydration
- muscle cramps
- dizziness or fainting
- potassium deficiency
- rash
- gout
- drop in blood pressure
- loss of coordination and balance
- death
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Creatine
Creatine: what is it and what is it used for in sports?
Many athletes take dietary supplements instead of or in addition to banned substances. Sports supplements are available over the counter in the form of powders or tablets. The most popular among athletes is creatine monohydrate.
Creatine is a natural compound produced by the body that helps supply energy to muscles. Scientific research indicates that the intake of creatine is associated with some effects beneficial in sports, increasing power during short bursts of intense exercise.
Creatine helps create more ATP (adenosine triphosphate) energy molecules in the muscles, which are used during quick bursts of physical activity, such as weightlifting or sprinting. There is no evidence of its effectiveness in increasing endurance in aerobic (long-duration) sports.
Creatine is effective only during short-term and intense physical activities: it helps replenish energy stores more quickly.
The liver produces about 2 grams of creatine each day. It is also obtained from food, particularly from meat products.
Creatine is stored in the muscles, and its levels are maintained relatively constant by the body. Since the kidneys remove excess creatine, the benefits of taking it as a supplement for those with high levels are questionable.
The benefits of creatine supplementation for those with high levels are questionable.
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Creatine: side effects
Important: Dietary supplements, including creatine, are considered food products rather than drugs in the USA. This means that their manufacturers are not required to meet the same standards as drug manufacturers.
Therefore, there are known cases of the intentional use of banned ingredients in creatine supplements to enhance effects.
Unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes add banned substances to creatine to enhance its effects. Side effects are often associated with their presence.
Possible side effects from creatine use include:
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle cramps
- Weight gain
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Weight gain is desirable for some athletes. However, with prolonged use of creatine, it is likely a result of water retention rather than an increase in muscle mass. Water is retained in muscle tissue, leading to dehydration in other parts of the body.
Weight gain while taking creatine is most likely a result of water retention in the body, not an increase in muscle mass
Using creatine in high doses can potentially lead to damage:
- kidneys
- liver
Overall, creatine is considered a safe supplement in recommended doses. However, long-term studies on the risks and benefits of its use are lacking.
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Stimulants
Stimulants: what are they and what are they used for in sports?
Some athletes use stimulants to stimulate the central nervous system, increase heart rate, and blood pressure.
Stimulants can:
- Increase endurance
- Reduce feelings of fatigue
- Suppress appetite
- Increase reaction time and aggressiveness
The most common ones are caffeine and amphetamines. Cold medications often contain the stimulants ephedrine or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.
Energy drinks, which are popular among many athletes, often contain high doses of caffeine and other stimulants. Street drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are also stimulants.
Stimulants are used by athletes to increase reaction time, endurance, and reduce feelings of fatigue
In medicine, they are used to treat attention deficit syndrome, asthma, narcolepsy (episodes of drowsiness and sudden sleep during the day), and obesity.
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Stimulants: side effects of use
Although stimulants can sharply increase physical performance, they have side effects that can affect sports results:
- nervousness and irritability, making it difficult to focus on the game
- insomnia, which deprives one of proper rest and recovery
- dehydration
- heat stroke
- addiction, meaning the need for larger doses to achieve the desired effect, which means that sooner or later the moment will come when dosages exceed acceptable and recommended levels
Other side effects include:
- Increased heart rate
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Weight loss
- Tremors
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Hallucinations
- Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmia
- Insomnia
- Various dependencies, including drug addiction
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Beta-2 agonists
Beta-2 agonists: what are they and what are they used for in sports?
Beta-2 agonists are substances that act on beta-2 receptors; their activation leads to bronchodilation, improved blood flow to muscles and the liver, and the release of insulin.
In medicine, they are used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Some studies suggest that beta-2 agonists have a performance-enhancing effect only when blood levels are consistently high.
Beta-2 agonists dilate the bronchi and increase blood flow to muscles and the liver
Beta-2 agonists: side effects of use
- Increased heart rate
- Headaches
- Perspiration
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Nervousness
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Drugs
Drugs: what are they and what are they used for in sports?
In small doses, narcotic substances have medical applications and are used for pain relief and inducing sleep. In sports, they are often used in conjunction with steroids and other illegal substances to reduce pain during intense training.
Drugs in sports are often used together with steroids to reduce pain during intense workouts
Narcotic overdose is an emergency situation and can lead to respiratory depression and even death.
The feeling of euphoria and psychological stimulation is common with the use of narcotic substances. Abuse is associated with serious health consequences and a shift in moral values.
Drug: side effects
- False sense of invincibility
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased pain threshold and inability to recognize injuries
- Decreased heart rate
- Physical and psychological dependence – addiction
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Marijuana
Marijuana: what it is and how it is used in sports
Marijuana is classified in the USA as a medicinal substance. This means it has a high potential for misuse, not for medical purposes. There is also a lack of data on safe use for medical purposes. Its use in sports is similar to that of drugs.
Marijuana: consequences of use and side effects
- Increased heart rate
- Short-term memory impairment
- Slowed coordination and reaction
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Distorted sense of time and space
- Respiratory diseases
- Mood instability
- Cognitive impairment and difficulty understanding written material
Glucocorticoids
In medicine, they are used to treat allergies, asthma, inflammatory diseases, and skin conditions.
Glucocorticoids: side effects
- Loss of muscle mass
- Weakening of damaged areas in muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments
- Decreased or complete cessation of growth in young people
Beta-blockers
In medicine, beta-blockers are used to control hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, angina (severe chest pain), migraines, and states of nervous tension or anxiety.
Beta-blockers: side effects of use
- Decreased blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Sleep disturbances
- Bronchospasm
Blood doping
Blood doping: what it is and how it is used in sports?
Blood doping is the practice of intentionally using certain substances (methods) for purposes other than intended to increase the number of red blood cells in the blood. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this leads to improved oxygen supply to working muscles and, consequently, increased aerobic capacity and endurance.
Blood doping is used to enhance blood supply in working muscles and other organs
There are three widely known substances (methods) of blood doping:
- Erythropoietin;
- Synthetic oxygen carriers;
- Blood transfusion.
Blood transfusion is associated with an increased risk of infectious diseases, such as AIDS or hepatitis.
The primary use of blood transfusions and synthetic oxygen carriers is to treat patients who have experienced massive blood loss, either during major surgical procedures or due to large-scale trauma.
Erythropoietin is used in the treatment of anemia related to kidney disease.
Improper use of these substances can lead to side effects.
Blood doping: consequences of use and side effects
- Increased strain on the heart
- Accelerated blood clotting
- Stroke
Conclusion
Many performance-enhancing drugs do indeed lead to changes in athletic performance. But at what cost?
The long-term effects of their use have not been thoroughly studied. And the short-term effects are associated with numerous risks. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of these drugs are illegal and banned by most sports organizations.
What will you choose: external effect or the risk of losing your health?
