Drugs in Sport: An Awareness Guide
What performance-enhancing drugs are, and why they are not worth it
Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) promise shortcuts to strength, size or endurance. The reality is serious, sometimes irreversible harm, and a ban from sport. This guide is for awareness, for athletes and the coaches who support them. It is educational only.
The rules: WADA and clean sport
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sets the global anti-doping rules. Doping, using a banned substance or method to boost performance, risks your health, your reputation and your eligibility to compete. When in doubt, check the current Prohibited List.
The main categories
| Substance | Claimed effect | The reality |
|---|---|---|
| Anabolic steroids | Muscle and strength | Heart attacks, strokes, liver and kidney damage, hormonal and mood problems, some irreversible |
| Growth hormone (HGH) | More muscle, less fat | Diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, swelling, raised cancer risk |
| Blood doping / EPO | More oxygen, endurance | Thickened blood, clots, stroke and heart risk |
| Stimulants | Alertness, less fatigue | Addiction, high blood pressure, anxiety, masked injury, sometimes fatal strain |
| Beta-blockers | Steadier hands, calm | Banned in target sports. Dizziness, low mood and other effects |
CBD: a word of caution
Pure CBD is not currently banned, but other cannabinoids including THC are. CBD is hard to extract cleanly, so many products contain traces of THC. If that shows up in a test, the product will not excuse you. Treat CBD products with caution.
The bottom line
No performance gain is worth lasting harm to your health, or a doping ban. Food, training, sleep and recovery are the foundations, and none of them are banned. If you coach athletes, point them to qualified support and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) resources.
This leaflet is general awareness and education only. It is not medical or legal advice, and it does not encourage or endorse the use of any substance. For health concerns, speak to your GP, and for anti-doping questions, contact UK Anti-Doping.