Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) — Physiological Risks and SARMs
While PEDs are often discussed in the context of sports, their clinical study in 2026 focuses on the endocrine and cardiovascular damage caused by supraphysiologic doses of hormones.
Key substances and risks include:
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS): These cause long-term suppression of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular (HPT) axis, leading to infertility, as well as "Left Ventricular Hypertrophy"—a thickening of the heart muscle that increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs): Touted as a "cleaner" steroid, SARMs are still associated with significant liver toxicity (cholestasis) and lipid imbalances (low HDL).
Erythropoietin (EPO): This hormone increases red blood cell count. While used to treat anemia, illicit use leads to "hyperviscosity syndrome," making the blood so thick it can cause strokes and heart attacks during periods of dehydration.