scholarly journals Use of psychotropic substances in elite sports

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Psychotropic Substances ◽  
Perceived Performance ◽  
Psychoactive Effects ◽  
Masking Agents ◽  
Psychotropic Effects ◽  
Medical Importance

Elite athletes may use psychotropic substances for recreational reasons, (perceived) performance enhancement or self-medication. Causes can hereby overlap. In substance use, recreational consumption aiming primarily at psychotropic effects is distinguished from performance-enhancing use (doping). Doping substances include anabolic agents, growth factors, masking agents and blood doping, which do not possess specific psychoactive effects. In substance use among elite athletes the scientific and media focus is on doping, however the use of psychotropic substances is an issue of medical importance.

Recreational and ergogenic substance use and substance use disorders in elite athletes: a narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 754-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McDuff ◽  
Todd Stull ◽  
João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia ◽  
Mary E Hitchcock ◽  
Brian Hainline ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Performance Effects ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Performance Enhancing Substances ◽  
Performance Enhancing

BackgroundSubstances from various classes may be used for recreational purposes, self-treatment or to boost performance. When substance use shifts from occasional to regular, heavy or hazardous use, positive and negative effects can develop that vary by substance class and athlete. Regular use of recreational or performance enhancing substances can lead to misuse, sanctions or use disorders.ObjectiveTo review the prevalence, patterns of use, risk factors, performance effects and types of intervention for all classes of recreational and performance enhancing substances in elite athletes by sport, ethnicity, country and gender.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted to identify studies that compared the prevalence and patterns of substance use, misuse and use disorders in elite athletes with those of non-athletes and provided detailed demographic and sport variations in reasons for use, risk factors and performance effects for each main substance class.ResultsAlcohol, cannabis, tobacco (nicotine) and prescribed opioids and stimulants are the most commonly used substances in elite athletes, but generally used at lower rates than in non-athletes. In contrast, use/misuse rates for binge alcohol, oral tobacco, non-prescription opioids and anabolic-androgenic steroids are higher among athletes than non-athletes, especially in power and collision sports. Cannabis/cannabinoids seem to have replaced nicotine as the second most commonly used substance.ConclusionsSubstance use in elite athletes varies by country, ethnicity, gender, sport and competitive level. There are no studies on substance use disorder prevalence in elite male and female athletes and few studies with direct comparison groups.

scholarly journals Special Environments: Altitude and Heat

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philo U. Saunders ◽  
Laura A. Garvican-Lewis ◽  
Robert F. Chapman ◽  
Julien D. Périard
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Altitude Training ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Training Adaptations ◽  
Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Improve Exercise Capacity ◽  
High Level ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

High-level athletes are always looking at ways to maximize training adaptations for competition performance, and using altered environmental conditions to achieve this outcome has become increasingly popular by elite athletes. Furthermore, a series of potential nutrition and hydration interventions may also optimize the adaptation to altered environments. Altitude training was first used to prepare for competition at altitude, and it still is today; however, more often now, elite athletes embark on a series of altitude training camps to try to improve sea-level performance. Similarly, the use of heat acclimation/acclimatization to optimize performance in hot/humid environmental conditions is a common practice by high-level athletes and is well supported in the scientific literature. More recently, the use of heat training to improve exercise capacity in temperate environments has been investigated and appears to have positive outcomes. This consensus statement will detail the use of both heat and altitude training interventions to optimize performance capacities in elite athletes in both normal environmental conditions and extreme conditions (hot and/or high), with a focus on the importance of nutritional strategies required in these extreme environmental conditions to maximize adaptations conducive to competitive performance enhancement.

scholarly journals Inappropriate self-medication among adolescents and its association with lower medication literacy and substance use

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. e0189199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Hsien Lee ◽  
Fong-Ching Chang ◽  
Sheng-Der Hsu ◽  
Hsueh-Yun Chi ◽  
Li-Jung Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Self Medication

Exploring the Link Between Substance Use and Mental Health Status: What Can We Learn from the Self-medication Theory?

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2S) ◽  
pp. 113-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Lerissa Smith ◽  
Fengxia Yan ◽  
Mikayla Charles ◽  
Kamal Mohiuddin ◽  
Dawn Tyus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Medication

The Examination of the Relationship Between Exercise Addiction and Performance Enhancement in Elite Athletes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebru Çetin ◽  
Celal Bulğay ◽  
Gönül Tekkurşun Demir ◽  
Halil İbrahim Cicioğlu ◽  
Işık Bayraktar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Exercise Addiction ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Building clean(er) sport together: Community-based participatory research with elite athletes and anti-doping organisations from five European countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Petroczi ◽  
Andrew Heyes ◽  
Sam D Thrower ◽  
Laura A Martinelli ◽  
Ian Boardley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

In this study, we give voice to athletes and explore what ‘clean’ means for them in elite sport. Working together with elite athletes and National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) in five European countries, we investigated the meaning and importance of ‘clean sport’ and ‘clean athlete identity’ from the athletes’ perspectives. With athletes as co-researchers, we conducted focus group interviews involving 82 athletes from Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia and the UK. The results show that clean athlete identity – which is a strong protection against doping and cheating in sport - is a social endeavour, which should be reflected in anti-doping interventions. Athletes’ accounts suggest that clean athlete identity is reinforced, but not created, by values-based (anti-doping) education. Whilst clean athlete identity is universally rooted in upbringing, early experiences and love of sport; definition of clean performance enhancement is highly idiosyncratic. Both problems and solutions in anti-doping were identified as systemic. Participatory research with athletes and stakeholders is a feasible and rewarding avenue for sport organisations with responsibility for anti-doping for athlete involvement.

scholarly journals Changes in Drug Use Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Monitoring a Vulnerable Group by Hair Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Gili ◽  
Mauro Bacci ◽  
Kyriaki Aroni ◽  
Alessia Nicoletti ◽  
Angela Gambelunghe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Drug Use Patterns ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background From March 22 until May 18, 2020, a complete lockdown in Italy was ordered by the government as a drastic and unprecedented countermeasure against the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation measures affect some populations more than others, and people with mental and drug and/or alcohol disorders are more likely to be adversely affected by home confinement. The literature on substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic is still nascent, but past research on other large-scale disasters suggests a modification in drug use patterns. This study presents for the first time experimental laboratory data on the use of alcohol and drugs in a high-risk population during Italy's first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Thirty subjects with substance use disorders were monitored for the use of traditional drugs and alcohol every 3 months before, during and after lockdown by the analysis of hair, a biological matrix that permits retrospective evaluations. Results There was a general decrease in the use of traditional drugs during the lockdown: the number of samples positive for heroin, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis fell considerably and then resumed to pre-lockdown levels when the period of confinement was over. Interestingly, the consumption of benzodiazepines and alcohol followed the opposite trend. The number of benzodiazepine-positive samples increased and remained high even at the end of the lockdown. Similarly, alcohol consumption underwent a significant increase during the period of confinement and remained high even after the lockdown restrictions were lifted. Conclusions Confinement measures produced significant changes in drug/alcohol use patterns with a shift towards the use of substances that are more easily accessible and used for the self-medication of stress, anxiety, irritability, depressive symptoms and insomnia. Furthermore, the combined use of alcohol and benzodiazepines can alleviate the negative effects of abstinence from drugs that are no longer easily available. It is concerning that the levels of alcohol and benzodiazepine consumption have remained high even after the lockdown. Mixing benzodiazepines and alcohol can result in a number of serious short-term and long-term effects, which inevitably place further pressure on drug addiction and health services during and after the pandemic.

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by ketamine mediate its impact on at-risk drinking: Results from a randomized, controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 026988112097087
Author(s):  
Rebecca L Rothberg ◽  
Nour Azhari ◽  
Nancy A Haug ◽  
Elias Dakwar
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Motivational Enhancement Therapy ◽  
Motivational Enhancement ◽  
Psychoactive Effects ◽  
Dissociative States ◽  
Alcohol Dependent

Background: Sub-anesthetic ketamine administration may be helpful for substance use disorders. Converging evidence suggests that the efficacy of ketamine for certain conditions may implicate a subset of its psychoactive effects. Aims: The aim of this analysis is to evaluate whether the mystical-type effects of ketamine are critical for clinical efficacy in alcohol-dependent individuals. In this secondary analysis, we determine if a subset of the psychoactive effects of ketamine, the so-called mystical-type experience, mediates the effect of ketamine, when combined with motivational enhancement therapy, on at-risk drinking behavior in alcohol-dependent individuals interested in treatment. Methods: Forty alcohol dependent adults were randomized to either a 52-minute infusion of ketamine or midazolam, which they received on a designated quit-day during the second week of a five-week motivational enhancement therapy regimen. Psychoactive effects were assessed following the infusion, and alcohol use was monitored for the subsequent 3 weeks at each twice-weekly visit. Results: We found that ketamine leads to significantly greater mystical-type effects (by Hood Mysticism Scale) and dissociation (by Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale) compared to the active control. Ketamine also led to significant reduction in at-risk drinking. The Hood Mysticism Scale, but not Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale score, was found to mediate the effect of ketamine on drinking behavior. Conclusions: This trial adds evidence to the literature on the importance of mystical-type experiences in addiction treatment. Future research should continue to investigate the relationship between the psychoactive effects of psychedelic therapeutics and clinical outcomes for other substance use and mental health disorders.

scholarly journals Psychedelic substance use in the Reddit psychonaut community. A qualitative study on motives and modalities

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Pestana ◽  
Franca Beccaria ◽  
Enrico Petrilli
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Important Change ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Drug

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate motives and modalities of psychedelic substance use in the psychonaut community that is hosted on the Reddit platform (r/psychonaut). Psychonauts are sometimes described as responsible drug users. Elements of responsible use include sharing stories, advice and experiences, reagent testing substances, proper dosing and education on harm reduction and its practical implication. Investigating psychonauts’ substance use can highlight what responsible use means for them and could inform best practices for psychedelic use. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative content analysis of posts and comments on the r/psychonaut subreddit was completed. In total, 350 posts were investigated. A combination of deductive and inductive methods was used to both structure the research and to allow room for novel information. To investigate participant’s motives, this combination was used to both collect and analyse the data. To examine modalities, concepts and keywords were formed out of the collected data and then analysed. Findings Motives for use ranged from self-knowledge, self-investigation and self-medication to increasing artistic expression, curiosity and recreation. Concerning modalities, the respondents put a high emphasis on preparation, set and setting, integration, dosage and gathering and sharing information through research, articles and trip reports. These features are identified in the literature as elements of responsible drug use. This investigation can help by unearthing best practices already in use by the community to inform the bourgeoning movement of psychedelic substance use – both in a medical and self-reflexive setting. Originality/value This paper is framed in the context of paucity of the academic literature on people taking psychedelic substances in Western society in non-rave and non-medical settings, with findings that indicate important change happening in the psychonaut subculture.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document