Chemistry of Drugs

Drugs are present in almost every sport or activity that involves any type of competition. The most common types of drugs are ones that build strength and muscle. The popular drugs used in society increase the amount of testosterone produced. The common drugs associated with banned substances are: Oxymetholone, Stanzolol, DHEA, Clostebol, Dihydrotestosterone, and Clenbuterol. Athletes are looking for anyway to get an edge on opponents and be successful in competition. The enhancement drugs essential simulate testosterone in the body, thus stimulating muscle and bone cells. Steroids have a structure close to that of testosterone (the four rings of Testosterone are very similar to the four rings of commonly abused anabolic steroids). These drugs are either injected into the body or swallowed orally. Because these drugs normally decompose in the liver, major side effects include jaundice and liver damage. Some common side effects associated with steroids are: depression, severe acne, mood swings, deepening voice, and growth of facial hair. Beta-2 adrenergic agonists are like epinephrine, a drug that is secreted by sympathetic nerves. However, when it is in the bloodstream, this drug acts like an anabolic steroid, exhibiting many of the same side effects. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) encourages the production of naturally occurring male and female sex hormones. The luteinizing hormone (LH) is a peptide hormone made in the pituitary gland. This hormone is responsible for keeping normal levels of testosterone and estrogen in men and women. The human growth hormone (HGH) is a protein hormone from the pituitary gland and regulates growth and development. Increasing amounts of HGH will cause an increase in the synthesis of proteins and bone cells. To sum everything up, all of the muscle building drugs aim at causing the body to be fooled into thinking its testosterone thus, encouraging new muscle growth. Excessive amounts of testosterone cause larger muscle or bone mass along with many other adverse effects.

The body is a unique structure, and tampering has risks. Many athletes in the world are taking enhancing drugs just to have that extra edge and “be in shape.” What they don’t understand are the lifelong problems they are causing there body to go through. By informing those that use steroids and what not may open some eyes, but there are still going to be those select few that need to have the advantage. All the steroids are doing is fooling the body, and that is definitely something that sounds harmful. Do the pros outweigh the cons?? You be the judge.

Benjamin Lee, Vincent Lee, “Muscle Building Drugs-a.k.a. Steroids,” Chemistry Of Drugs In Sports, April 11, 2004. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/drugsinsports/0.htm#Intro (Accessed November 5, 2007.)