I have found that when athletes use PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) there is the possibility of side-effects from using such drugs. Although some of these drugs or supplements are deemed as safe for human consumption by the FDA, there are still concerns of overuse, abuse, allergic reactions, and other issues that might affect one individual differently than another. The user needs to accept the responsibility to read product labels and conduct their own research to best determine what ingredients are used and if they are safe for the individual user and not the general public as a whole.
When examined as a societal issue, I think that it sends the wrong message that it is fine to bypass the hard work, time and effort that is often sacrificed in order to achieve a particular goal relative to better physical performance for whatever sport one is pursuing. With the competition that is inherent within most organized sports, PEDs are bound to cause issues of jealousy and envy as some athletes will develop animosity towards others that are seen as cheating or acquiring an “edge” over other competitors.
This discussion can again lead back into last week’s talk about people looking for and relying upon pharmaceuticals to cure all our illnesses and diseases. However, in this case it would be drugs to not only fix our health problems, but to maybe fix issues of low self-esteem, ego, and other psychological imbalances due to the highly competitive nature of organized sports.
I don’t really see much of a difference between illegal and legal PEDs, when it appears as if many of the supplements that go unregulated as well as those approved by the FDA for prescription use only, are widely available to anyone looking to purchase and use these products at their own risk. Perhaps the whole industry and the FDA are in need of closer scrutiny as to conflicts of interest when it comes to regulating products that have become such a large health issue in sports on all levels.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/legal-steroids#alternatives
Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2019). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning
https://taylorhooton.org/how-easy-it-is-to-get-steroids/
I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
Jim Moltzan
407-234-0119
United Martial Arts Association 