Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)
with all this talk about how Mekloufi and many many others are on PEDs, I think it is a good idea to discuss how these drugs actually work.
1. Anabolic Steroids
Testosterone, Nandrolone and many other steroids (they end in '-one').
They work by helping an athlete get stronger, build muscle mass.
For track, steroids are used by sprinters for power and speed.
Side Effects: so many! They can raise your blood sugar level, that is why insulin is used by steroid users to get the sugar out of the blood back into the cells.
Also steroids can affect the sperm count in males and cause infertility.
2. Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Growth Hormone, as the name implies, makes a child grow. It is naturally produced in the brain (pituitary).
But when an adult takes it, it does not cause any growth.
So why do athletes take it?
It has a very interesting effect on the body, that it helps athletes recover faster from workouts.
So for example, say you did a monster track workout yesterday. Today you wake up and you are tired and sore. But you have a 15 mile run do to today. Very difficult, yes?
But take HGH and you will feel fresh today as if yesterday's workout was a jog in the park with your dog.
Is used by all Track athletes, from 100m up to the Marathon.
Side Effects: it distorts the jaw and makes your teeth crooked. That is why HGH users wear braces!
3. Erythropoietin products
Erythropoietin products, which include EPO, Epogen, Aranesp, Procrit, CERA (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator) act on the body to help build Red Blood Cells.
Erythropoietin is a molecule that helps build Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in your body.
RBCs carry oxygen to different parts of your body.
So the more RBCs you have, the more oxygen you can deliver to different parts of your body - tissues, muscles etc
Oxygen is then used by the cells in various parts of your body to create energy in the form of ATP.
Pretty sophisticated drug cheating!
Used more by distance runners.
Side Effects: then you increase you RBC count, you make your blood thicker. This can lead to small blood clots forming and those clots and block arteries and cause a stroke or heart attack.
4. Stimulants
Amphetamines, caffeine, ephedrine, and many other stimulates have been used for decades.
They help an athlete by increasing arousal, alertness and sometimes can help with endurance.
Uses mostly by sprinters.
Side effects include insomnia, and psychosis (nice).
A well respected and well educated and highly researched Ph.D. told me that EVERY world record in Track (male and female) has been set with the help of Performance Enhancing Dugs.
I believe it.