Doping in Sports: Illegal Substances Athletes Use to Cheat

When it comes to the world of competitive sports, the pursuit of victory can drive some athletes to extreme, and sometimes illegal, measures. Doping, or the use of banned substances to enhance performance, is a longstanding issue, casting a shadow over sports from cycling to sprinting for many years. 

From anabolic steroids that promise rapid muscle growth to stimulants that boost endurance levels, the following may offer tempting shortcuts but come with serious health risks and ethical implications. The most notorious performance-enhancing drugs athletes have turned to over the years include:

• Anabolic Steroids
• Erythropoietin (EPO)
• Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
• Stimulants 
• Beta-2 Agonists
• Diuretics and Masking Agents
• SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators)

Let’s dive into these substances, examining how they work, the edge they offer, and the famous athletes who have been caught using them. How far have athletes really gone in their quest for gold?

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, the hormone primarily responsible for muscle growth, bone density, and overall physical strength. Designed initially for medical uses, such as treating delayed puberty and muscle-wasting diseases, these powerful drugs have found a controversial place in sports.

For athletes, the appeal of anabolic steroids is clear. They promote protein synthesis within cells, particularly in muscles, leading to rapid gains in strength and size. This allows athletes to lift more weight, sprint faster and train more frequently without the typical limitations of muscle fatigue or injury. The result is a physique and performance level that can far exceed natural limits, putting the user at a distinct advantage over their competitors. 

However, the gains come at a high cost, including severe health risks such as:

• Liver damage
• Heart issues
• High blood pressure
• Blood clots 
• Hormonal imbalances 

Anabolic steroids have led to some of the most infamous doping scandals in sports history. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson became one of the most notorious cases when he tested positive for stanozolol after winning the 100m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His gold medal was stripped, and the scandal left a lasting mark on athletics.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Erythropoietin, or EPO for short, is a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys that plays a critical role in regulating red blood cell production. Medically, synthetic EPO is used to treat anaemia, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease or undergoing chemotherapy. However, EPO has also gained a notorious reputation in sports… 

EPO increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood by boosting red blood cell production, enabling athletes to sustain intense physical activity for longer periods. With more oxygen delivered to muscles, athletes experience less fatigue and can perform at peak levels over extended durations. This advantage is particularly potent in endurance sports like cycling, long-distance running, and cross-country skiing, where stamina can make the difference between victory and defeat.

One of the most well known doping scandals of all time involved EPO and centred on Lance Armstrong, the legendary cyclist who dominated the Tour de France for years. Armstrong and his team engaged in systematic EPO doping to gain an edge over competitors, leading to his eventual fall from grace and stripping of his titles.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland, vital for growth, cell repair, and metabolism. While HGH is crucial for normal development, synthetic versions are often misused in sports to speed up recovery, promote muscle growth, and reduce body fat.

For athletes, HGH offers an enticing combination of faster recovery times, lean muscle gains, and reduced body fat, without some of the bulkier effects associated with anabolic steroids. HGH accelerates the healing of microtears in muscles and connective tissues, meaning athletes can train harder and bounce back faster after intense workouts. This can be especially advantageous in sports where quick recovery is essential.

While, athletes may be able to recover faster they can suffer from:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Increased risk of certain cancers

One of the most notable instances of HGH misuse in sports involved MLB legend Alex Rodriguez, who admitted to using HGH along with other banned substances as part of a doping scandal that rocked the baseball world.

Stimulants

Stimulants are powerful, fast-acting compounds known for enhancing alertness, boosting energy, and sharpening focus; traits every athlete wants when the stakes are high. But make no mistake, we’re not talking about caffeine. Far beyond your average cup of coffee, illegal stimulants have been used for decades to heighten reflexes, reduce fatigue, and amplify performance to extreme levels. The most common of these include:

• Amphetamines (such as adderall)
• Ephedrine
• Methamphetamine
• Methylphenidate 

Originally developed to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy, these substances are potent tools for keeping the mind and body in overdrive, making them a popular yet risky choice in many sports.

During the 1994 World Cup, Argentine football legend Diego Maradona was caught using multiple forms of ephedrine, leading to a controversial doping scandal that ultimately impacted his team’s performance. The incident resulted in Maradona’s suspension from the tournament before he was banned for a further 15 months. 

Beta-2 Agonists

Beta-2 agonists are a class of drugs primarily used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions by relaxing the muscles of the airways and making breathing easier. However, their muscle-building and fat-reducing properties have made some athletes looking to gain an illegal edge in performance turn to them over the years.

For athletes, beta-2 agonists, as the name by a mere chance implies, deliver a twofold advantage:

1. Improved respiratory function: enhance oxygen flow by widening air passages
2. Increased lean muscle mass

Beta-2 agonists have been at the centre of numerous doping scandals, with one of the most high-profile cases involving Marion Jones. The Olympic sprinter admitted to using banned substances, including clenbuterol, for two years before capturing three precious gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympic games.

Diuretics

Diuretics, often referred to as “water pills,” are medications that promote the elimination of excess fluid and salt from the body through urine. While they are medically used to treat conditions like high blood pressure and edema, in the world of sports, these substances are often abused for two primary purposes:

1. Weight Control: By expelling water, athletes can make weight limits for competitions without losing muscle mass.
2. Masking Agents: Diuretics can dilute urine samples, making it more difficult to detect the presence of other performance-enhancing drugs.

The diuretics most commonly used to achieve these effects are:

• Furosemide
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Spironolactone 
• Bumetanide 
• Manitol

As you may have guessed diuretics are most commonly used in combat sports, such as boxing and MMA. Multiple fighters have been caught using diuretics to meet weight classes, only to face suspensions and reputational damage once their secrets were uncovered. While winning at all costs is an obsession for athletes, particularly those in combat sports, using diuretics could actually negatively impact their performance by causing:

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Kidney damage 

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators)

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, or SARMs for those who don’t fancy repeating that every time, represent a class of compounds that have gained traction in the world of performance enhancement. 

Designed to selectively target androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue, SARMs aim to mimic the muscle-building effects of anabolic steroids while minimising their undesirable side effects.

The steady rise of SARMs serves as a potent reminder that the fine line between enhancing performance and compromising integrity in sports is far from a thing of the past.