Should You Rely On Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)?

Who wouldn’t get swayed by the impressive performance and endurance demonstrated by athletes and bodybuilders? It is not unknown that most of them are reliant on performance-enhancing drugs to achieve a chiseled body and to boost their performance.

The use of drugs can result in severe psychological and physical changes in the body. The changes due to the usage of a drug are not immediate. Some results show up over time. Moreover, improper dosing can result in severe side effects in an individual. Click this link to learn more about the potential benefits and the dangers associated with using drugs: www.healthfitnessdrug.com

What are performance-enhancing drugs and their potential benefits?

Young athletes feel pressured to stand out amidst immense competition that they face. This is when they turn to drugs that can augment their performance during their game or while doing any activity. Bodybuilders have for long used PEDs to boost muscle growth and train in a gym consistently without feeling tired out. The major performance-enhancing drugs used are

  • Anabolic drugs

Anabolic drugs promote growth. These are nothing but synthesized testosterone that promote strength and muscle mass when taken in specific quantities. The drug also lowers body fat percentage and helps athletes achieve the ripped physique that they yearn for.

  • Stimulants

These can improve mental and physical performance. These also promote focus and cognitive performance in athletes. Athletes derive substantial benefits from these drugs as they increase endurance while lowering fatigue at the same time.

  • Growth/peptide hormones

HGH or Human Growth Hormone is used for boosting lean muscle mass and cutting down fat percentage in the body in a shorter time frame. It improves the appearance and also promotes quick recovery in case of any injury. It stimulates metabolic activities in the body as well. Click here to learn more about the kinds of performance-enhancing drugs popularly used by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.

  • Nootropics

These are basically used for boosting cognitive performance. Many professional athletes rely on it for promoting wakefulness. It also contributes to the performance delivered by an athlete by boosting alertness during a game. Medical professionals generally prescribe nootropics for treating medical conditions such as dementia, narcolepsy, and ADHD. 

These are also popularly referred to as brain boosters as they enhance cognitive performance and improve brain health. These offer a wide range of benefits to athletes concerning mood, stress resistance, attention, focus, memory, and alertness. These are also sought by many athletes for their stress-relieving benefits.

Potential benefits of using PEDs

PEDs improve any form of physical activity. The benefits offered by these drugs are plentiful. These promote skeletal growth, increase muscle mass, enhance performance, and lower fatigue. If there is any activity that demands tireless performance such as in military activities, then these can prove to be immensely beneficial. These drugs shoot up endurance levels.

Upon combining multiple drugs, the results can be achieved in a shorter time frame. The numerous advantages offered to make PEDs more desirable to athletes or in any activity that demands high performance and endurance. Using these drugs makes sense when real advantages can be derived out of them.

Here are the common reasons why bodybuilders and athletes turn to PEDs.

  • Increase strength and muscle mass
  • Cuts down excess fat from the body
  • Improved rate of recovery
  • Stimulants improve alertness and focus
  • Euphoria

Physical effects of using performance-enhancing drugs

Drugs interact with the natural body process in numerous ways. Though performance-enhancing drugs promise lucrative results when taken in appropriate dosages, these can result in physical side effects too. Some of the most commonly experienced side effects by users of PED are:

  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Flushing of skin
  • Changes in appetite
  • Increase in alertness, heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure
  • Impaired balance and coordination
  • Nausea
  • Hair loss, acne and abnormal functioning of the liver  

The side effects experienced while on performance-enhancing drugs can prove detrimental and life-threatening occasionally. The body can lockdown or enter into shock when there is drug overdose or a combined effect of excessive physical activity and drug use. Working out hard out of desperation by setting insane targets can result in permanent damage to the body. Hence, it is best to do anything in moderation rather than pushing the limits of the body to a greater extent. Adhere to the prescribed dosage limit of performance enhancing drugs to achieve the best results. Sticking to a workout routine and adhering to the right dosage will help you shoot your performance levels significantly.

When to cut down the use of performance drugs?

There is a borderline for everything. Excessive reliance on performance drugs can be dangerous to health both in the long and short term. There is a need to watch out for signs that can serve as indicators that there is something not right. Usually, physical changes are more pronounced and sudden while taking PEDs. Drastic changes in appearance and obsession with workouts can be a warning sign. Bearing extreme pressure to deliver an extraordinary performance can take a toll on health.   

Drastic emotional changes result due to excessive use of anabolic steroids. These can cause angry outbursts. This is also referred to as ‘roid rage’. Steroid usage is also linked to depression. Too much of anything is not good for your body. It is better to turn to safer alternatives and proceed at a healthy pace in order to attain your fitness goals rather than turning to extreme ways. This is will ensure that you are not compromising with your overall health in the process.

In summary

Performance-enhancing drugs do promise great results. You can achieve great results and boost your performance and stamina by adhering to the dosage schedule and limits. There is no need to overexert yourself.