Mental, behavioral and physical effects of power enhancing drugs in chronic users

Abstract

Exercising in gym is largely aimed at getting a desirably muscled physique that is subject to peer approval as well as associated with a higher self-esteem. Many people opt for workouts that define the lean body mass, whereas others aim at getting a beefed up body. The latter being a long and tiring process, pushes many people to opt for power enhancing drugs, for boosting their athletic endurance. Among others; steroids, erythropoietin, creatine, protein supplements are available over the counter all over Pakistani Pharmacies. Together with increasing the muscle bulk, they exert highly undesirable effects on hematological as well as lipid parameters. The present study evaluated and compared the side effects reported by the users of such PED on their mind, personality and body. A proforma was filled by each subject. The results showed that depending on the type of PED used, it has altered the personality of the individual significantly. Attributes that their personality and body did not have initially were observed by them upon chronic usage of these ergogenic aids. This lead us to conclude that “amount in PRs” is not the only price these PED users pay for attaining their desired beefed up physique, with which emerged another question, is that cost actually worth it?