Athletes have been looking for an edge over their competition since the beginning of time. They have tried different methods, from special diets to extreme training programs.
However, in recent years, performance-enhancing substances (PES), such as igf 1 lr3, have become increasingly popular among athletes looking to improve their performance. There are many types of PES, and this article will provide an overview of some of them and their risks and rewards.
What are performance-enhancing substances?
Beginning in the early 1990s, there was a dramatic increase in the use of performance-enhancing substances (PES) by athletes. PES are drugs that can be used to improve athletic performance.
The most common type of PES is anabolic steroids, synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. As we know, testosterone is responsible for developing male characteristics, such as muscle mass and strength. Both of which are beneficial to athletes.
Anabolic steroids can be taken orally or injected, and there are a variety of other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) that athletes use, including:
- Human growth hormone (HGH)
- Erythropoietin (EPO)
- Creatine
- Amphetamines
- Androstenedione
What are the benefits of performance-enhancing substances?
The main benefit of performance-enhancing substances is, of course, improved performance. Let's go into more detail about how some of these substances can benefit athletes.
Increased muscle mass and strength
Anabolic steroids are perhaps the best-known performance-enhancing drug, and they work by increasing muscle mass and strength.
One study found that after eight weeks of taking anabolic steroids, athletes significantly increased their lean body mass (the non-fatty parts of the muscles) and their grip strength. The same study also found no significant side effects from taking anabolic steroids.
Improved aerobic performance
EPO is a hormone that helps to increase the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the muscles, so more red blood cells mean more oxygen and improved aerobic performance.
In one study, cyclists who took EPO increased their VO₂ max (a measure of aerobic performance) by an average of three percent. The same study found no significant side effects from taking EPO.
Increased short-term power output
In competitive sports, producing short bursts of power can be the difference between winning and losing. Creatine is a substance that helps the muscles produce more energy, and one study found that it can increase short-term power output by up to 15 percent.
Needless today, these benefits offer an unfair advantage over athletes not using performance-enhancing substances, which is why their use is banned in most competitive sports.
What are the risks and side effects of performance-enhancing substances?
In addition to their unfair advantage, performance-enhancing drugs also have several risks and side effects. Here are the most common ones:
Hormonal imbalances
Anabolic steroids, as we mentioned, are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. When taken in large doses, they can cause a variety of hormonal imbalances, including
- Increased aggression
- Infertility
- Gynecomastia (development of breasts in men)
Acne
Acne, caused by increased testosterone, is one of the most common side effects of anabolic steroid use. This type of acne is often more severe than the acne that people experience during puberty.
Liver damage
Anabolic steroids are hard on the liver and can cause various liver problems like cysts, tumors, and jaundice.
High blood pressure and heart problems
EPO, as we mentioned, increases the production of red blood cells. This can lead to polycythemia, which thickens the blood and strains the heart. This can, in turn, lead to high blood pressure and more severe heart problems.
Kidney damage
Creatine is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and can cause kidney damage if taken in large doses.
Cardiovascular risks
EPO, as we mentioned, increases the production of red blood cells. This can thicken the blood and cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other cardiovascular risks associated with performance-enhancing drugs include irregular heartbeats.
Osteoporosis
Did you know that anabolic steroids can cause osteoporosis? That's because they reduce the production of a hormone called collagen, which is necessary for healthy bones.
Performance-enhancing substances: Peptides and other alternatives
The banning and strict regulation of performance-enhancing substances has led some athletes to look for alternative methods of improving their performance.
In recent years, a new type of performance-enhancing substance has become popular among athletes: peptides. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
The main advantage peptides have is that they're not banned in sports, and there is some evidence that they can improve performance.
CJC-1295
One study found that the peptide cjc 1295 significantly improved aerobic performance in rats. In the study, rats given CJC-1295 had a VO₂ max 11 percent higher than the control group.
The same study also found that CJC-1295 increased muscle mass and reduced body fat. However, it's important to note that this study was done on rats, not humans, so we don't know if the same effects would be seen in humans.
BPC-157
The peptide BPC-157 has been shown to promote healing and regeneration in rats. One study found that when BPC-157 was injected into rats with Achilles tendon injuries, the rats' tendons healed faster than the control group.
The same study also found that BPC-157 increased the strength of the rats' healed tendons by up to 21 percent. Despite the lack of human studies, some athletes and bodybuilders looking to speed up the healing process and reduce downtime often use BPC-157.
IGF-1 lr3
IGF-l is a hormone that's similar to insulin. It plays an important role in muscle growth and recovery. IGF-l lr₃ is a synthetic version of this hormone designed to be more effective than natural IGF-l.
One study found that when rats were given IGF-l lr₃, they gained more muscle mass and strength than the control group. The rats also had less body fat and better recovery from exercise. These results suggest that athletes could potentially use IGF-l lr₃ to improve performance.
Ipamorelin
A study on rats found that ipamorelin, a peptide similar to ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”), increased muscle mass and reduced body fat. The study also found that ipamorelin improved exercise performance.
While these results are promising, it's important to note that the study was done on rats, so we don't know if the same effects would be seen in humans.
Are these peptides legal?
The question on every athlete's mind is: are these peptides legal? The simple answer is that it depends on the country you're in.
In the United States, performance-enhancing substances are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As for peptides like melanotan 2, the DEA has not specifically listed them as illegal, but they are considered “drugs of concern.” In fact, plenty of peptides are sold legally as research chemicals.
Some sports organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have banned certain peptides, largely because they can't be detected in drug tests, not because their safety has been proven.
The Bottom Line
Fitness and performance-enhancing substances are becoming increasingly popular, but it's important to remember that they come with risks. Before taking any performance-enhancer, be sure to do your research and consult with a medical professional.
And while peptides offer a potential performance-enhancing alternative to anabolic steroids, do not take them without consulting a healthcare professional first, as their long-term effects are unknown. Good luck on your fitness journey!
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