Michael Walden

Insulin-like growth factor is the most predominant somatomedin or growth factor hormone, with a very similar structure to insulin although it is released by the liver. It plays an important role in growth and development in children and is thought to have anabolic effects in adults. Medical Uses of Insulin-like Growth Factor Uses for IGF-1

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is what’s known as a designer steroid. In this case, the steroid has been manipulated in a lab so that it is not detected by normal steroid testing procedures. After its discovery in 2003, a highly sensitive test has been developed to detect its presence in urine samples. Medical Uses of Tetrahydrogestrinone  There

Cocaine is a stimulant which is more commonly used as a recreational drug than for performance enhancement. Cocaine produces feelings of euphoria and wellbeing, which are usually followed by feelings of anxiety and depression when the effects of the drug wear off. Repeated use usually results in tachyphylaxis (a decreasing response to the drug) which

Gene doping or transfer is based on the principles of gene therapy. Here a healthy gene is transplanted into cells or directly into the genome to replace a mutated or absent gene. Currently, this process is still in the research and trial stage. This process of gene doping, in the future, is likely to be

Sometimes also known as Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS’s), these are derivatives of the hormone testosterone. There are two types of AAS: Exogenous: Synthetic versions of testosterone. Common examples include Nandrolone and Danazol. Endogenous: Naturally occurring substances involved in the metabolic pathways of testosterone. When testing for drug use, all endogenous steroids have a normal range. Results outside

Beta-2-Agonists are dilators which cause dilation (widening) of vessels by relaxing the smooth muscle surrounding them. Medical Uses of Beta-2-Agonists Inhaled forms of Beta-2-agonists (including salmeterol, salbutamol, formoterol, and terbutaline) are used for the treatment of Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Injected forms are most commonly used in the prevention of premature labour, as they act to

Erythropoietin (often shortened to EPO) is a naturally occurring hormone, secreted by the kidneys, whose function is to regulate red blood cell production. The use of EPO started in the 1980s as a quicker, cleaner alternative to blood doping. Testing for EPO only became possible in 2000, by using both blood and urine samples, prior

Ephedra is a shrub, native to northern areas of China and Mongolia and found mainly in dry desert-like conditions. It has traditionally been used in weight loss supplements, although has been removed from the market in the USA since 2004 over growing health concerns. There are various species of Ephedra, with some being more potent

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance, found in over 60 different plants and is a stimulant and mild diuretic. It is the most commonly used drug in the world as it is found in coffee, tea, chocolate (and chocolate-based drinks) and many carbonated and energy drinks. Up until 2004 caffeine was on the prohibited substances

Narcotics are derived from the opium poppy and include the commonly known painkillers morphine, diamorphine, and pethidine. Medical Uses of Narcotics Narcotics are used in medicine to reduce moderate to severe pain. Effects on Performance Narcotics have no ergogenic or performance-enhancing qualities. Athletes use Narcotics to mask pain caused by musculoskeletal injury, allowing them to compete