Where to get performance enhancing drugs

Taken without medical supervision, diuretics can result in potassium depletion and possibly even death. The primary medical use of these compounds is to treat conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD , asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity. This means that it has a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in the United States, and lacks accepted safety data for use under medical supervision. Side effects of cannabinoid use include:.

Blood doping is the practice of misusing certain techniques and substances to increase the red blood cell mass in the body. Since the red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this allows the body to transport more oxygen to working muscles and therefore can increase their aerobic capacity and endurance. The primary use of blood transfusions and synthetic oxygen carriers are for patients who have suffered massive blood loss, either during a major surgical procedure or caused by major trauma.

Erythropoietin is used in the treatment of anemia related to kidney disease. However, misuse of these substances and techniques could lead to:. In small doses narcotics have medical uses that include relieving severe pain and inducing sleep. However, narcotic overdose is a medical emergency and can lead to respiratory depression and even death. While a sensation of euphoria and psychological stimulation are effects common to the use of narcotics, the misuse of narcotics can pose ethical questions about the handling of the substance as well as great health risks.

Those include:. The primary medical use of beta-blockers is to control hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris severe chest pain , migraine, and nervous or anxiety-related conditions. The primary medical use of these compounds is to treat allergies, asthma, inflammatory conditions, and skin disorders among other ailments.

Concerningly, hormone and metabolic modulators, like GW, are often masqueraded as, or used in combination, with SARMs. GW never made it through pre-clinical trials because it consistently caused cancer.

Although the long-term effects of SARMs are still unknown, side effects may start with hair loss and acne. More serious health consequences have also been documented, including liver toxicity, as liver enzymes rise, and drops in good cholesterol, which can affect heart health.

If this stress continues, SARMs have the potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. One of the most commonly abused performance-enhancing drugs, testosterone, comes with a wide range of immediate and long-term side effects.

Continued use can cause the body to stop producing hormones naturally and lead to organ enlargement, stunted growth, liver damage, and fertility issues. Moreover, natural testosterone levels may never recover, making the consequences of doping irreversible. Side effects may also be psychological, with testosterone often being connected to increased aggressiveness because it impacts the brains subcortical structures in the amygdala and the hypothalamus.

As with any anabolic steroid use, withdrawal from testosterone use may lead to depression, and even suicide. Prohibited stimulants, like methylhexanamine, that are often found in contaminated pre-workout supplements, as well as permitted stimulants, like caffeine, can both result in negative health effects if abused.

At low doses, stimulants can lead to increased perspiration, shaking, inability to focus, and sleep loss, as well as low appetite and dehydration. In higher doses, stimulants can also lead to more severe health effects, such as rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Abuse of some stimulants has been shown to age the cardiovascular system more aggressively than smoking.

And continued stress on the heart can eventually lead to cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, and heart attack. Blood doping, which often involves the use of prohibited erythropoietin, or EPO, increases the number of red blood cells in the body. This increase thickens the blood, making it difficult for the heart to pump. The result is a higher risk of life-threatening diseases including stroke, heart disease, and cerebral or pulmonary embolisms. There have been multiple deaths attributed to blood doping.

I raced 13 or 14 years as a professional cyclist. I was racing in Europe full-time, we had European riders on the team, we had European staff. I had finished a stage race in Southern Spain, like a week-long stage race, and I was just like a starfish on my bed, collapsed.

He was wearing this fly fishing vest and he reached into one of the pockets and he pulled out this little red, egg-shaped capsule. And that was the moment, he handed me this capsule, that was the moment. And it showed that they had faith in me and that they thought I had a future in the sport.

So, yeah, I made that decision. Yohimbine is extracted from either yohimbe bark or the South American herb quebracho. Some claim it increases blood flow through the testes, leading to higher testosterone levels. There is no proof that yohimbine has any anabolic effects, but it can be extremely dangerous.

Combining yohimbine and tyramine found in many foods and wines can cause an acute spike in blood pressure. In addition to hypertension, side effects of yohimbine include seizures, paralysis and death. For some reason, a number of uninformed bodybuilders became convinced that they could build muscle mass while they slept by taking GHB. Some extremely uninformed bodybuilders took GHB around the clock, risking an overdose. A GHB overdose, as well as unsupervised withdrawal, can be fatal.

Not surprisingly, there is absolutely no research to support the idea that GHB enhances muscle mass in anyone, awake or not. Diuretics are sometimes used to hide traces of illegal or banned substances. Competitive bodybuilders sometimes take diuretics before competition to shed excess weight and increase muscle definition. Taking diuretics, especially during increased physical activity, can lead to dehydration, syncope and heat-related emergencies. The use of most performance-enhancing drugs and supplements appears to be at best a waste of money, and at worst fatal.

For those considering a supplement, here are some tips for selecting wisely Some are ineffective and dangerous only to your pocketbook. Some, such as anabolic steroids, will work, but pose outrageous risks. Creatine is one of the few supplements that appears to have considerable research to support the claims made of it. Thorough research, consultation with a physician and a healthy skepticism continue to be the best approach toward any drug or supplement.

EMS professionals familiar with the facts are better equipped to discourage use of dangerous supplements and recognize patients who are potentially at risk. For additional information on exercise supplements, visit the following websites:. National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplements: Background Information.

Rawson E, Clarkson P. Scientifically debatable: Is creatine worth its weight? Sports Science Exchange 91 16 : 4, Shaffer I. Zickler P. NIDA initiatives targets increasing teen use of anabolic steroids. Brink W. The science and policy of performance enhancing supplements. LifeExtension, March National Institute on Drug Abuse. Kowalski K. The truth behind the hype. Current Health 2 29 : 6, Feb. Steer clear of steroid abuse.

Current Health 2 25 : 7, March Mishra R. Steroids and sports are a losing proposition. FDA Consumer 25 7 : 24, Sept. Quiz: Anabolic Steroids. Wagner C, Morgan M. FDA warns against using andro. Chicago Tribune, March 12, Kohrt WM. Supplement Watch. Volek J. Creatine Supplementation in the 21st Century.

Archer MC. Use of oral creatine to enhance athletic performance and its potential side effects. Clin J Sports Med 9 2 , April Rados C. Ephedra ban: No shortage of reasons. Associated Press. Company files suit challenging ephedra ban. Food and Drug Administration. The effects of gamma-oryzanol supplementation during resistance exercise training. J Sports Nutr.

Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men. Sign in. EMS World Expo. Current Issue. Issue Archives.

Start Print Subscription. Renew Print Subscription. Start Digital Subscription. Patient Care. Expo on Demand. CE Articles. Online Product Guide. Contact Us. Advisory Board. About Us. Copied to clipboard. Drugs vs. Dietary Supplements There are many different types of dietary supplements that are claimed to provide improved athletic performance, increased muscle mass and faster recovery time between workouts.

Human Growth Hormone HGH HGH is a pituitary hormone that tricks the body into an artificial or prolonged state of puberty, leading to increased testosterone production.

Dietary Supplements Androstenedione Andro Andro is the dietary supplement made famous by baseball player Mark McGwire, who took it before it was banned. Wild Yams Some claim that wild yams Dioscorea villosa can enhance performance due to its anabolic properties. Gamma-Oryzanol Gamma-oryzanol, also known as rice bran oil, is derived from sterol and ferulic acid. Tribulus Terrestris Some claim that tribulus terrestris puncture vine can increase testosterone levels by stimulating the pituitary gland.

If your teen admits to using performance-enhancing drugs, encourage him or her to stop immediately. Make an appointment for your teen to see his or her doctor for a check-up and counseling. In addition, consider informing your teen's coach.

Tell your teen that you're disappointed and enforce the consequences that you've established — such as quitting the team. Most importantly, emphasize healthy methods for achieving his or her goals. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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