Guide to WADA Prohibited List

Anabolic Agents

The most commonly known group of substances within sports doping; anabolic agents, otherwise known as steroids have been used for various reasons within sports including recovery from injury, increasing performance and self-image. Anabolic agents are substances that have an anabolic effect, which involves tissue building and energy storing. This guide will provide information on a few notable forms anabolic agents can take and the potentially harmful effects they can have.

Testosterone

The most commonly known anabolic agent is an endogenous (originating from within an organism, tissue, or cell) substance which is taken in pill and cream form. The damaging effects that this can have on the body include strokes, blood clots (due to an increase of red blood cells making the blood thicker) and heart attacks. Hormonal imbalance can occur as well which can lead to male breasts, skin irritations and acne.

Clenbuterol

Clenbuterol is used for individuals who suffer from breathing disorders. Athletes use Clenbuterol to decrease fat mass and to help with muscular hypertrophy, as with many banned substances research is limited for obvious reasons. Other names for this substance are Dilaterol, Spiropent, and Ventipulmin.

The risks from taking this substance include tremors, headaches, tachycardia, anxiety, insomnia, hyperthermia and anorexia among many others.

SARMS

SARMS, which stands for selective androgen receptor modulator is a relatively new steroid substitute which is similar to testosterone; the main reason for this drug is to treat muscle wasting disease and for hormone replacement therapy. The side effects associated with this drug include (but not limited to); Gynaecomastia (male breasts), virilisation of women, acne, smaller testicles and baldness. The different names that this drug can take include Ostarine (MK-2866), S-4 (Andarine) and GW-501516.

DHEA

DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone. Other names for this drug are androstenolone or prasterone (INN), as well as 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one or 5-androsten-3β-ol-17-one. Excessive intake of DHEA can have side effects including the potential development of breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

One of the most notable cases where a player has been banned is O.J Mayo who claimed that DHEA was in an over the counter supplement and the athlete received a 10 game ban.

Anabolic agents can take different forms and it is highly advisable that if you are unsure about an ingredient within supplements that you check our site to see if the product or ingredient is on there. If not you can always email us at [email protected].