There is a widespread misperception that PED use is safe or that adverse effects are manageable.⁣ (Photo Credit: Instagram/@doctorranda)

In the professional world of sports, the usage of steroids, performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), or prohibited substances is nothing new. Previously, only bodybuilders used to inject, but today many athletes do it to improve performance. As a result, anti-doping governing bodies around the world are increasingly recognising the crucial role whistleblowers may play in exposing doping behaviour.

The notion that PED use primarily affects professional athletes is also misleading. The vast majority of athletes who take these drugs do so to improve their looks, well-being and beauty. But is it safe for healthy individuals to take such drugs? And is it right? To understand how gains are made overnight and if using drugs results in a healthy body, News9 spoke with some health experts to know more about this.

"Doping is the use of banned athletic PEDs by athletic competitors as a way of cheating in sports," explains Dr Manan Vohra, a Mumbai-based sports medicine expert and orthopaedic surgeon. "These are substances that are used by athletes or bodybuilders to improve any form of activity performance in humans," he continues.

The most common prohibited substances for doping in sports are:

Increase muscle mass and physical strength.

Increase excitement and decrease the sensation of fatigue.

Kolkata-based psychiatrist Dr Era Dutta explains, "Doping drugs are famous for the notorious reason to enhance one's strength, endurance, recovery time and durability. It helps athletes hit peak performance by taking the shortcut that is legally and ethically frowned upon in society."

"For starters, PEDs help in amplifying substances that may already exist in your body, such as certain hormones and steroids," she continues. "However, having more of them inevitably gives you an advantage over your competitors. PEDs can boost performance by large or tiny margins and these margins can make all the difference in the world of competitive sports."

As the name implies, they essentially improve your athletic performance, claims Dr Era.

Dr Manan says that illegal PEDs have the ability or potential to drastically alter the human body and biological functions, including the ability to considerably improve athletic performance in certain instances. "These drugs, however can be extremely dangerous and in certain situations, deadly."

"One of the most commonly abused PEDs, testosterone: comes with a wide range of immediate and long-term side effects," he continues.

"These often start with visible changes, including acne, shrinking testicles, breast tissue development in men, development of adam's apple and additional body hair in women. Continued use can cause the body to stop producing hormones on its own, resulting in organ enlargement, stunted growth, liver damage, and fertility problems."

Dr Manan further advocates that 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 brain's 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."

According to Dr Manan, the big difference between the two is how they're viewed—and handled—by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Drugs are tested by the FDA. They're defined as substances intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. They must pass clinical trials before being released to the public and the tests will prove if a drug is safe or unsafe to be used, whether it has been passed or banned. The general rule is drugs are considered unsafe until they're proven safe."

"Supplements aren't regulated by the FDA," he continues. "Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), the FDA treats supplements like food and the DSHEA defines supplements as "products taken orally for supplementing the diet."

"Supplements can include minerals, vitamins or other natural biological substances and they're available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including concentrates, extracts, capsules, tablets, liquids and powders. Keep in mind that herbs and vitamins don't have to be tested for safety. Self-regulated by the manufacturer, no proof is required to demonstrate their effectiveness. The general rule for supplements is they're considered safe until they're proven unsafe," Dr Manan adds.

Interestingly, PEDs are often used by some of the most "healthy" bodies out there or those to be one, remarks Dr Era. She further continues: "If the context of being healthy is by peak performance then yes, they result in healthy bodies if used under trained professionals, coupled with rigorous training."

"Let us not dismiss that a lot of effort goes into training. But in reality, by using artificial shortcuts, one can find themselves performing better but with long-term repercussions on the body."

Dr Manan points out that individuals use PEDs for a variety of reasons. Some of the circumstances are:

"Using doping drugs does have a few benefits — increasing strength, speed, or endurance (through ergogenic drugs) or by altering body weight or body composition. These drugs may also improve performance by causing changes in behaviour, arousal level, or perception of pain.

However, not only are these substances banned for professional athletes, but they're also not advised for the non-athletic population as the cons do outweigh the pros," he adds.

"The age-old adage goes "Cheaters are not true winners." PEDs would enhance performance but not without practice. However, it is cheating in all ethical, moral and legal sense," warns Dr Era.

The negative effects of PEDs depend on the type of PED used.

In men: Acne, reduced sperm count, breast development, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, prostate cancer, fertility issues

In women: Deep voice, menstrual cycle issues, acne

Beta-blockers: fluctuations in blood pressure.

Stimulants: Mood disorders, loss of appetite, manic behaviour

Roid rage: anabolic steroids can increase aggression and cause excessive rage

Mental health issues: Many PEDs can induce depression, worsen anxiety and even induce psychosis.

It is unwise to take doping drugs as the negative effects are far too many, advocates Dr Manan. "Side effects may also be psychological, with testosterone often being connected to increased aggressiveness because it impacts the brain's 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."

The long-term effects of PEDs have not been well studied. Furthermore, the short-term gains also come with a toll. Using PEDs is a risky business, regardless of whether you are a professional athlete or not.

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