Molecular Level
Performance enhancing drugs are seen all over the media. We are constantly being updated on the latest scandal with some big-name athlete being caught using anabolic steroids, or some other type of performance booster. There are many different types of performance enhancing drugs that execute a variety of functions. The two main types are stimulants, drugs that improve cognitive functioning, and lean mass builders, drugs that build muscle. While there are other categories of performance enhancing drugs, those are the two we will mostly focus on. These two categories are important because they are very common and seen frequently on college campuses.
How Performance Enhancing Drugs Work:
Stimulants and lean mass builders affect the body in different ways, which is why they are used in different situations to accomplish different tasks. Stimulants have more of a mental effect while lean mass builders have more of a physical effect.
One type of stimulant is an amphetamine, which has the chemical formula C9H13N.
One type of stimulant is an amphetamine, which has the chemical formula C9H13N.
Amphetamines release neurotransmitters into the synapse between neurons, which stimulates the central nervous system. This increase in neurotransmitters increases alertness, concentration, and energy. Norepinephrine, a type of neurotransmitter, helps speed up cardial and metabolic processes. Other neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin increase euphoria and regions of the brain associated with reward.
In addition to releasing neurotransmitters into the brain, the amphetamine also slows down the reuptake of the neurotransmitters back into the neurons. The neurotransmitters will stay in the synapse between the neurons for longer, causing the effects of the amphetamine to be felt for extended amounts of time.
There are a variety of lean mass builders, but two incredibly common types are anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or by injection, and work by turning on cells to increase their production of proteins. They are composed of androgens, which have a masculine physical effect on the body, and anabolics, which promote growth. These steroids cause an increased production of proteins, which leads to the development and speedy repair of muscle tissue.
Human growth hormone, or HGH, is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland. It is used for protein synthesis and the formation of new muscle cells. This hormone induces the liver to secrete insulin-like growth factor. The insulin is important because it stimulates protein formation and absorption; it also promotes fat synthesis. The growth factor stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and organs and it also can help regulate the body’s ratio of lean muscle to fat.
In addition to releasing neurotransmitters into the brain, the amphetamine also slows down the reuptake of the neurotransmitters back into the neurons. The neurotransmitters will stay in the synapse between the neurons for longer, causing the effects of the amphetamine to be felt for extended amounts of time.
There are a variety of lean mass builders, but two incredibly common types are anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or by injection, and work by turning on cells to increase their production of proteins. They are composed of androgens, which have a masculine physical effect on the body, and anabolics, which promote growth. These steroids cause an increased production of proteins, which leads to the development and speedy repair of muscle tissue.
Human growth hormone, or HGH, is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland. It is used for protein synthesis and the formation of new muscle cells. This hormone induces the liver to secrete insulin-like growth factor. The insulin is important because it stimulates protein formation and absorption; it also promotes fat synthesis. The growth factor stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and organs and it also can help regulate the body’s ratio of lean muscle to fat.
Risks and Benefits of Performance Enhancing Drugs:
There are numerous reasons why people choose to take performance-enhancing drugs, but they all come at a cost. These drugs can be beneficial, and are often used for legitimate medical reasons, but they can have some very serious side effects if abused.
Stimulants such as caffeine, a substance we love and depend on, help increase alertness and concentration, but can also cause some negative side effects that may outweigh the short-lived burst of energy. Many people experience the insomnia, increased blood pressure, and heart rate that come with drinking too many energy drinks. In addition, the continuously use of stimulants can cause confusion, heart rhythm abnormalities, nerve damage, and even paranoid delusions. Stimulants can be very hard on the heart leading to further health risks that can be extremely serious. Lean mass builders increase muscle mass and strength and can promote the quick repair of tissue. However, the risks for anabolic steroids are quite severe and include heart disease, hypertension, acne, male patterned baldness, enlarged prostate, liver disease, declined kidney function, and increased rage and aggression. The benefits of steroids might seem appealing for many athletes, but the risks are abundant.
Stimulants such as caffeine, a substance we love and depend on, help increase alertness and concentration, but can also cause some negative side effects that may outweigh the short-lived burst of energy. Many people experience the insomnia, increased blood pressure, and heart rate that come with drinking too many energy drinks. In addition, the continuously use of stimulants can cause confusion, heart rhythm abnormalities, nerve damage, and even paranoid delusions. Stimulants can be very hard on the heart leading to further health risks that can be extremely serious. Lean mass builders increase muscle mass and strength and can promote the quick repair of tissue. However, the risks for anabolic steroids are quite severe and include heart disease, hypertension, acne, male patterned baldness, enlarged prostate, liver disease, declined kidney function, and increased rage and aggression. The benefits of steroids might seem appealing for many athletes, but the risks are abundant.
Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs:
Performance enhancing drugs are used both legally and illegally. Some of the most widely known illegal usages of performance enhancing drugs are in popular media surrounding sports. Reports often mention the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs by athletes to help them gain strength or increase oxygen levels in blood. There are many ways that performance-enhancing drugs can be used and abused.
Caffeine is a stimulant that is used everyday by a large portion of the population. It is a legal stimulant and can be found in a number of different foods and drinks. Amphetamines are in many different kinds of commonly prescribed ADHD medication. These medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from an attention disorder, but they are often abused. Many students take these medications without a prescription in order to deal with their incredibly high workload. This is extremely dangerous because people react differently to these sorts of medications. Without the thorough diagnosis and permission from a doctor, someone can take too much of a stimulant and have a potentially adverse reaction.
Lean mass builders can be helpful in aiding symptoms in those who suffer from muscle deteriorating diseases. RhGH, similar to hGH, is used to treat growth disorders. These performance-enhancing drugs can be used to help those who suffer from serious diseases or physical impairments. These drugs can also be abused by athletes, especially body builders, to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. To reiterate, this can be dangerous. Without the supervision of a medical professional these lean mass builders could be potentially dangerous to those using them.
Caffeine is a stimulant that is used everyday by a large portion of the population. It is a legal stimulant and can be found in a number of different foods and drinks. Amphetamines are in many different kinds of commonly prescribed ADHD medication. These medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from an attention disorder, but they are often abused. Many students take these medications without a prescription in order to deal with their incredibly high workload. This is extremely dangerous because people react differently to these sorts of medications. Without the thorough diagnosis and permission from a doctor, someone can take too much of a stimulant and have a potentially adverse reaction.
Lean mass builders can be helpful in aiding symptoms in those who suffer from muscle deteriorating diseases. RhGH, similar to hGH, is used to treat growth disorders. These performance-enhancing drugs can be used to help those who suffer from serious diseases or physical impairments. These drugs can also be abused by athletes, especially body builders, to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. To reiterate, this can be dangerous. Without the supervision of a medical professional these lean mass builders could be potentially dangerous to those using them.
Sources:
Werner, T. C., and Caroline K. Hatton. "Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: How Chemists Catch Users."Journal of Chemical Education 88.1 (2010): 34-40. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.
Wang, David, MD, MS. "Understanding Performance-Enhancing Drug Use." Connecticut Medicine 76.8 (2012): 487-91. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.
Wang, David, MD, MS. "Understanding Performance-Enhancing Drug Use." Connecticut Medicine 76.8 (2012): 487-91. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.