The use of performance enhancing drugs has been one of the most controversial issues in today’s contemporary sports. The use of performance enhancing drugs is oftentimes referred to as doping. Doping has been around for centuries. Many people feel as if doping is a moral issue rather than a medical/biological one, however this is just not the case. Doping is a medical issue, and the present and current system is flawed and fails to catch many athletes who are users of performance enhancing drugs. This system has only been able to catch 2.9% of percent dopers. Legalizing performance-enhancing drugs would allow regulation of them. This, in turn would increase safety and lessen the risk to athletes who use them.
There are so many myths and common misconceptions that are continually being perpetuated by contemporary media regarding doping. One of those myths is regards to people who use performance enhancing drugs. Usually they think of huge guys in a back alleyway getting illegal substances. These people believe that doping is the use of steroids. However, there are numerous methods of doping, and not just your typical steroid use. The world of
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The first class enhances normal physiology to improve training and recovery, this includes some anabolic steroids (such as testosterone) and growth hormone. The second enhances normal physiology to improve performance in competition, this includes blood doping and the use of human erythropoietin (EPO) a naturally produced hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. This improves the capacity of blood to carry oxygen. Both are called ‘physiological doping’. The third class includes unnatural substances that modify normal physiology to enhance training and recover faster. This includes uses of beta-blockers that reduce tremor and anxiety; diuretics, painkillers, anti inflammatory drugs and cognitive boosters such as