A GUIDE ON THE CLASSES OF PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUBSTANCES

Abstract

This honors thesis is a literature review that serves as a performance-enhancement substance guide. The purpose of this guide is to increase health literacy about performance-enhancing substances (PES) amongst the lay public, clear up misconceptions and myths about PES, and overall, inform the public regarding the effects that these substances have on the human body. The layperson has limited knowledge of the physiological effects of these substances—leading to ill-informed purported use to enhance performance. By educating the public about how these substances affect the body through peer-reviewed literature, the layperson can better understand the mechanisms and effects of PES‚ as well as prevent misinformation and illegal utilization. This guide will provide a foundational background of knowledge on these classes of drugs in the context of performance enhancement as well as offer specific examples of drugs in these respective classes. There is also a glossary included at the end of the guide that defines physiological and pharmacological terms that may not be commonly understood by the lay public. This is not a comprehensive guide to all PES, but rather, a collection of some of the most widely popular and used drugs in recency. This publication will be accessible to the public through the UArizona Campus repository.