Negative Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs
Performance-enhancing drugs are substances and supplements used illicitly by athletes to increase their competitive advantage in sport. These substances cause a number of detrimental side effects, and are banned by most sports.
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Identification
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The Mayo Clinic groups performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) into three types: anabolic-androgenic steroids (which are derivatives of testosterone); prescription diuretics (such as Lasix); and stimulants (such as caffeine or amphetamines). The Mayo Clinic's classification also includes the formerly legal prohormone androstendione, which has effects similar to steroids, and the still legal sports supplement creatine.
Legality
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The United Stated Department of Justice has classified anabolic steroids and many stimulants as Schedule III drugs, and it is illegal to possess them without a prescription. Under U.S. federal law, anyone found possessing, selling or distributing a Schedule III drug can be charged with a felony, and if punished, sentenced with up to five years imprisonment on each count (state laws vary).
Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the NCAA, and the governing bodies of most major sports have banned their athletes from taking performance-enhancing drugs. Any athlete testing positive can face a suspension, monetary penalties or a lifetime ban.
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Benefits
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According to the Mayo Clinic, athletes continue to take anabolic steroids and other PEDs because they improve performance. Caffeine and amphetamine-based stimulants increase alertness, improve concentration and motor coordination and decrease fatigue. Diuretics help athletes who compete in weight events shed excess water weight before competition and also help flush out the metabolites of certain other drugs (which are often used in testing to detect the use of PEDs).
Anabolic steroids provide a number of benefits, including increased strength and lean muscle mass, decreased body fat, improved bone density and the ability to recover quickly from workouts. Additionally, the steroids Winstrol, Boldenone and the hormone erythropoietin all stimulate the production of red blood cells, which increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood allowing endurance athletes to train longer and at higher intensities.
Warnings
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Athletes and individuals with certain conditions or those taking certain medications should not take PEDs. According to drugs.com, steroids can exacerbate prostate and breast cancer, are not recommended for patients with a history of heart disease or those taking anticoagulants or insulin, and should not be taken by pregnant women, as many steroids cause birth defects. Patients with liver or kidney disease, lupus, gout or those taking corticosteroids or anti-inflammatories, should avoid using prescription diuretics. Individuals with a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma, or those taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, thyroid hormones or certain antidepressants should not take any amphetamines.
Dangers
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Steroid use can result in a number of negative side effects and allergic reactions, including potentially fatal medical conditions such as peliosis hepatitis (the formation of blood-filled clots in the liver or spleen) to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest. Users alo may experience the development or enhancement of masculine characteristics (deepened voice, excess hair growth), altered libido, erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia (male breasts), enlarged clitoris and interruption of menstrual cycles.
Those taking diuretics might suffer kidney or liver disease, muscle cramps, hives, labored breathing, confusion, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, irregular heartbeat and chest pain.
Individuals using amphetamines might suffer anxiety, euphoria, irritability, depression, nervousness and paranoia, insomnia, chest pain, hives, twitching and serious conditions such as hypertension and irregular heartbeat.
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