Mental, Behavioral, and Physical Effects of Power-Enhancing Drugs in Chronic Users

The study with 75 male subjects aged 19-31, who had been using power-enhancing drugs (PEDs) for at least three years, found that PEDs led to mental and behavioral changes such as mood swings, increased aggression, anxiety, and negative thoughts. Physical side effects included acne, hair loss, insomnia, muscle cramps, gastrointestinal problems, heat intolerance, and increased sweating. The study concluded that while PEDs may enhance physical appearance, they come with significant mental, behavioral, and physical drawbacks, questioning the overall benefits of their use. Mood swings were mostly reported by creatine users, while aggression was more common among users of steroids, erythropoietin, and creatine. The study suggests that the pursuit of a muscular physique using PEDs may compromise physiological balance.