Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) always appear in the news headlines, as athletes – perhaps most notoriously, Lance Armstrong – get caught out. But what are PEDs, how do they work and why are they dangerous?
What are Performance Enhancing Drugs?
Many athletes –even amateur ones – contemplate taking PEDs to boost their performance. Whatever the sport, some competitors strive to get an edge and will turn to artificial enhancers to do so. The tougher the competition and the higher the stakes, the more tempting it can be to take PEDs.
There are many types of PEDs. The most common are:
- Anabolic steroids
- Androstenedione
- Erythropoietin
- Human growth hormone
Let’s look at these in more detail:
Anabolic Steroids
These are used to boost muscle mass and gain greater strength, and appear naturally in the body as testosterone. So it makes sense that athletes turn to anabolic steroids to plump up their testosterone levels to become bigger, better and stronger.
Anabolic steroids are also said to aid recovery after a tough session. That means muscles aren’t as fatigued and the user can get back to training sooner.
The issue lies in anabolic steroids being unregulated. They can also have serious side effects, as well as encouraging breast development, baldness, infertility and even impotence. For women, they may take on more masculine qualities such as more body hair, deeper voice and a loss of periods. On top of that, heart problems, liver tumours, acne, depression, aggression, high blood pressure and drug dependence can result.
Androstenedione
The body produces androstenedione via the testes, ovaries and adrenal glands. It’s banned in many countries and can cause acne, reduction in sperm and heart issues.
Erythropoietin
This PED caused many problems for elite sport in the 1990s, resulting in widespread deaths. While it’s usually used to treat anaemia, the drug also can cause heart attacks and stroke.
Human Growth Hormone
Like anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (or gonadotropin) is used to enhance performance and strength. But it can also cause high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and many other health issues.
There are many other PEDs sold illegally and which aren’t approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration due to their dangers. It’s clear that PED use needs to be stamped out and athletes return to natural training regimes.
