Performance Enhancing Drugs

You've heard about them, but do you how they work? Or why they suck? Hank explains the science behind performance enhancers, including steroids, blood doping, and that stuff supposedly made out of deer antlers. You'll never look at cheating the same way again!
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Sources:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/grow...
www.businessinsider.com/what-i...
www.scientificamerican.com/art...
www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek...
www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/spo...
www.insidefitness.co.za/?p=1007
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20...
www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2012/1...
www.mayoclinic.com/health/perf...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2013...
www.health.harvard.edu/newslet...
www.garvan.org.au/news-events/...
www.livescience.com/32601-does...
www.nature.com/news/performanc...
sitn.hms.harvard.edu/sitnflas...
pediatrics.aappublications.org...
www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/spo...
news.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/05/0...

[@UPandUNDER]

Rich Piano is my favourite natural musical instrument

[@leonthebadass8165]

Hey man just gonna take 2 seconds out of my day to thank you for spelling favourite the right way. Thanks!

[@zahara5681]

Well not technically the "right" way. We Americans need to feel special so we do things differently.

[@mikke6287]

piano...

[@stevecalo007]

HE KARKED IT FROM A "MYSTERY POWDER" PILED UP LIKE SCARFACE ON HIS KITCHEN BENCH!!

[@3Runner95]

Rich Piana is my favorite naturally enhanced athlete

[@matthewreagan4937]

+3Runner95SRB He totally natty. He just gnaws on deer antlers all day.

[@wingicecream7125]

if you're talking about the guy I'm thinking of....he is SOOOO not natural in a y way shape or form, he admitted to roof usage a few years back.

[@wingicecream7125]

+Coco Icecream omg roof usage lol...roid

[@theenemyarea7969]

+Coco Icecream You must be fun at parties.

[@MukundGovindarajan]

Waddaya mean Ronnie is so much better than Rich only thing is that Ronnie Coleman is completely natty

[@agentwashingtub9167]

Cheaters always win. Until they get caught.

[@jhfkhjgfytuctyduyt]

+AgentWashingtub unless you're tom brady

[@SchakalNo1]

+AgentWashingtub Even if they get caught, the extra fame you get from being better (and I don't think there is any serious discussion that you can't be Top10 without roids) outweights the fee you have to pay when caught.

[@UNAGGAN]

if they get caught, they hire ari fleischer

[@Perzecute]

Agent wash, you got caught cheating against caboose!

[@agentwashingtub9167]

Perzecute How. It's Caboose. He couldn't catch someone cheating if it was Church who I'm fairly sure Caboose has a shrine to.

[@ronbrown8611]

this guy injected HGH into his Frontal lobe thats why he's so smart

[@dumbshow3]

hahahhahaha

[@mahanyareddyofficial5109]

pedarasipeddama

[@nayak4636]

He's just reading the given script

[@LK-zt9vf]

into his stomach

[@UUser1337]

Pradeep Nayak r/wooosh

[@DigitalFumbles]

That deer spray sounds like something the ancient greeks would come up with.

[@FD87]

Stim packs can turn the tide of battle... :) Cost 100 minerals and 100 gas to research

[@JohnSmith-lp3ku]

Fantastic reference, Thank you

[@MrStuchi]

Easily detected by the presence of Medivacs D:

[@JulianOoi]

or that moan they make :|

[@BricksOfAwesome]

John Smith It`s the doctor!

[@prodbybexy]

And works infinitely with medics or medivacs and if was to scale them people can outrun freaking PLANES!!!

[@Shnoshk]

I did a ton of research on anabolic steroids when I was younger. There are a very wide variety of anabolics available, not all of them have the side effects you described. There is a whole science behind using them properly and minimizing the unwanted side effects. Also, why weren't substances like adderall mentioned? A lot of e-sport professionals as well as poker players use adderall while they play.

[@SpectreOps]

Good point

[@aethylwulfeiii6502]

Amphetamines are old school in endurance sports, they even have the risk of psychosis. I don’t care about your science of minimizing the chances of that. Not worth it.

[@monhi64]

@@aethylwulfeiii6502sure sure but used carefully amphetamines are definitely the most powerful stimulant enhancer that exists at the moment afaik. I remember back when I was out on them for ADHD I would be like 10-20% stronger if I took it before work outs. And Psychosis is very rare unless you are dosing for extended periods or have a mental condition making you prone to it. It’s really just the shitty side effects holding it back but those are avoidable as long as you don’t take it too often and don’t try to extend it by redosing. But finally there is the addictive aspect so it can be hard for some to use it properly.

[@carddealer34]

I love you guys at SciShow. Keep up the good work!

[@rayamat01]

I'm dissapointed in you Hank. You failed to mention "low grade beaver tranquilizer"

[@ButtKraken01]

Wonderfully informative as always! Another great job, Scishow!

[@EluCCCY]

If you are at all informed in the field of PEDs, you would know that this is rather garbage information.

[@MrMynte]

OMG! That you Hank! I am currently writing a 20 page assignment on this topic! I can't thank you enough and what a coincidence that you upload this video just when i need it

Whoa whoa, wait 1:34. GH is not CONVERTED to IGF-1 in the liver. IGF-1 is produced by the liver in response to GH, but it's not one protein being converted into the other. This is like saying a phone call is converted into a pizza when I order pizza by delivery. The signal (GH/Phone call) instructs the manufacturer (cell/pizzeria) to produce and release the new product (IGF-1/pizza). And by the way, GH does also have some direct effects on growth apart from the production of IGF-1. Also 5:10 steroids do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT have a receptor in the cell's membrane. As they are lipids, they go through the membrane on their own, and then bind to receptors INSIDE the nucleus directly. The androgen receptor officially designated NR3A is attached to DNA in the nucleus and sits there waiting for an androgen (such as testosterone) to bind to it. Hope it helps :). Sorry if it sounded rough, but I have a pharmacology exam tomorrow about exactly this subjects (among others) and if I were to say those two things my teacher would rip my head off :P.

[@GamingOfficialBros]

I don't know if you're right but I don't know enough about performance enhancing drugs to dispute your statement.

The Awesome Gaming Bros Source: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12th edition. :)

[@GamingOfficialBros]

Nahuel Méndez Diodati Thanks

[@webbxpert]

Oh the irony.. A teacher that will rip your head off for getting a steroid test wrong.

Tom Evans Well, I was talking to the whole SciShow team, not Hank Green. Why should it make any difference if Hank himself actually knows and understands the information he's transmitting? The only thing that matters is that they as a whole show try to be as close to scientific fact as possible. This is an informative video, so its goal is to INFORM and INSTRUCT us viewers, not to proclaim "Look how smart Hank is".

[@LabRatZNutrition]

Did you know what its like to be on LSD? Did you know that LSD doesnt cause addiction, nor is it harmful - its actually being used in hospitals to treat some illnesses. I have made a video about it on my channel, go check it out. I'm new...

[@mariesoullier]

A lot of musicians use propanolol as well, especially classical musicians like pianists or solo violinist where they're expected to play from memory. The pressure of having to play a couple thousand notes in the correct order in front of a massive audience without sheet music can be fairly nerve wracking. The physical effects of nervousness and anxiety (the shaky hands, the inability to make your fingers move fast enough or press hard enough) can destroy a performance no matter how mentally prepared you are. A lot of them turn to drugs like propanolol that don't really effect your mental clarity especially students doing exam performances or entrance exams where more than just your reputation or ego is at stake.

[@VideoNozoki]

I've tried it. It is mild (like aspirin for a headache or one drink). You still feel quite nervous, just a LITTLE less than before taking it. It is also taken to lessen back spasms (it doesn't stop them, but makes them slightly less strong). (I've never tried valium, but I imagine that if FAR stronger)

[@noobednatherium4082]

Then how do the champions who do it legit get their stability from, a ghost?

[@frozenfeet4534]

Hank is so innocent lol. The vast majority of high comp athletes take PEDs, esp during workouts b/c being able to train for days is what makes you stronger in the long run. I'd imagine that there are a few dozen more Lance Armstrongs still running the Tour.

[@pietrotettamanti7239]

Jason not a few dozens. ALL freakin' cyclists take drugs. Armstrong and Pantani (for example) were evidently taking drugs. But everyone "closed an eye", or even two, as long as they kept winning. Then, when they stopped cycling (and therefore winning) information destroyed 'em just to create a new scandal, but everyone knew that before. Wait 10 years and Chris Froome or Contador 's old urine samples will be renalyzed and magically any kind of drugs will pop off. I bet 20 bucks on it.

[@chadr2604]

That is kind of like when that guy told me all bodybuilders use steroids. Basically there is a baseball team he was talking good about I told him they cheated. He looked at me crazy and said all bodybuilders use steroids to cheat.

[@Vixielicious]

I love these longer videos! Yay!

[@thezionsoho]

the only reason pro sports don't allow it is because if you allow the players to juice, all the players would juice. An entire sport of juiced players would be insane!

[@NoLoseJustLearn]

Or maybe because it's morally wrong to allow people to damage themselves for the sake of a game.

[@Steven-uu7bj]

TheLegitDiscoBrisco nah^

[@fallonsky_]

TheLegitDiscoBrisco if they want to im not going to stop them. less morons to deal with

[@NoLoseJustLearn]

fallonsky Yet, my brother is a freshman right now, and he's a smart kid who probably wouldn't think twice about using something called performance enhancing. He's not a moron, top of his class and a great athlete, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be swindled by the chance of victory with a little risk.

[@sd91499]

TheLegitDiscoBrisco Except health issues. Anybody who decides cheating is a way to win is a lair and an idiot in my opinion.

[@Tesla_Death_Ray]

Did Lance Armstrong really cheat? Cheating is having an advantage that your opponents don't. PDE's are widespread in cycling. He's just one who got caught.

[@EricM818]

even if it is the norm, it is still cheating. it is breaking the rules.

[@iHeardYouLiekThem]

***** And then it becomes a "Who has the best/most drugs competition."

[@EnragedTurkey]

***** Unless you're offering to pay for the drugs of every single athlete attempting to compete (and can somehow confirm that they all get the same amount), that's a retarded idea.

[@InorganicVegan]

EricM818 Leveling the playing field... He's actually a really nice and charitable guy with a rough childhood. If you were in his shoes, I'd bet you'd do the same.

[@NeutronicalGaming]

it's cheating because it's against the rules, doesn't matter who else is doing it it's still wrong, if you care that much find a better way to detect the other cheaters and get them thrown out.

[@chideyaosong1210]

So funny! Always enjoy these videos!

[@timetuner]

There's no such thing as a fair competition anyway. I say that they should work the kinks in some of these treatments so we can have shortcuts to getting fit. Its not like we're going to start sitting less any time soon.

[@FrozenLemur]

Work out normally. Stop being lazy.

[@VTeixex]

***** Cut firewood and hunt game normally. Stop being lazy.

[@timetuner]

Yeah. Yeah. Wonderful advice for an individual and all that, but that was a collective 'we' not a royal 'we.' The human body is designed to fight to survive for like forty years and then hurk dead. "Working out" isn't a solution to our maladaption to civilized life, it's a clumsy workaround. You spend time and effort simulating the strains of an entirely different lifestyle just because that's what your body needs you to do to stay functional.

[@danr.5017]

Victor Barros Compalining without taking real action to fix a problem is bitching. Working for a living solves for food, water shelter, entertainment. Telling someone else to do the work of making you fit without effort is bitching, Real solutions exist use them or make the better one yourself. Don't yell at others to do a job you don't know is even possible.

[@timetuner]

***** Yo. Call someone up and talk whatever it is out. You sound like you've go quite a bit on your mind and nothing you just wrote had anything to with the comment you replied to. It's not health to lash out at strangers like that.

[@mongoose376]

ATTENTION IDIOTS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE INTRO They stated that it would take several weeks before the intro would get reanimated and fixed. Just calm down and wait.

[@RinoaL]

i don't mind if the intro's lunar lander isn't functioning like the origenal. i'm pretty sure the origenal wasn't made of white lines animated on a computer. in other words its just a cartoon intro and its just cool that it even has the lunar lander.

[@thisguy5635]

Rinoa Super-Genius yeah, but i gotta tell you that it is spelled original not "origenal" just so the super genius name is not ironic

[@EugeneMarks]

LOVE THIS SHOW!! PLZ GIVE ME 45min versions of this so I can just lay in my bed and watch this without interruption! :)

[@DieBlaueGefahrLP]

Keep up this good work!:)

[@animefanboy3782]

Sad to see Hank didn't really cover the bad side of EPO doping, how the extra levels of blood cells causes the blood to become thicker and blood flow velocity to decrease, which can lead to heat disease among other stuff.

[@kendrabeewings]

Thank you. I was wondering.

[@thetruthfulchannel6348]

What about cognitive performance enhancement drugs, also known as "academic doping"? Many students take Adderall and similar drugs prior to taking standardized tests. I read there are many undesirable side effects.

[@brandonuniverse]

vyvanse

[@infernaldiatribe9538]

Stimulants don't make you smarter, if anything it'll keep you up at night.

[@Infaviored]

+Eric Gonzalez really dumb answer. i guess with tweakers you mean addicts which is a totally different thing.

[@namestas1591]

+Infernal Diatribe Personally it helps me focus much more and whether or not help me get a 1545 out of 1600 on my SAT after my original 1380 non Adderall score or if it was just me being more familiar with the test I personally don't know but am willing to give up a little bit of sleep for that kind of a score increase

[@infernaldiatribe9538]

Namestas 15 Stimulants will help you do things you're already good at faster and prevent drowsiness. But when it comes to learning information, adderall won't help.

[@powerliftingteen8129]

"Ill give you a lesson on why cheaters never win" and the first point he makes is that HGH in undetectable after 30min.

[@richardah12]

+powerliftingteen *injectable HGH starts to break down after 30minutes

[@powerliftingteen8129]

richardah12 Does not matter, there are other PEDS that are gone from your sistem in a matter of hours. When there is a possibility to cheat people will cheat. But its not really cheating since everyone is on PEDs

[@stupidmonkey151]

What he means by that is the effects on your body. He's saying you don't win because you're damaging yourself. I have experience with gear. I will say, o do believe most sides can be avoided or at least minimalized by using it responsibly, such as the heart damage claim. Some sides are almost inevitable, I got a few and decided I'd get off before it caused long lasting problems.

[@TheTaintedWisdom]

6:23 - Hank slipped up, as the text says 20 *percent* but he says 20 *times*.

[@aaron4820]

I have a really bizarre, and probably completely immoral thought... but I secretly wish they'd do a version of Olympics where there's no drug regulations whatsoever, with the exception they have to list all the stuff they use, so the drugs is seen as no more than the advanced equipment they use, just to see how much "better" humans can be when using drugs to enhance the performance.

[@posthumanistpotato]

I've been saying that for years! And I do not feel it is immoral, it's to exhibit people who want to take themselves as far as they can go. Be all they can be with the aid of science, genetics and will.

[@noobednatherium4082]

so much death...

[@chadester001]

@@noobednatherium4082 "Death is not the end, but a unscartchable undeterable soul's mark of immortality " - Sun ju

[@noobednatherium4082]

@@chadester001 ok?

[@Project0061]

There are super deer in New Zealand?

[@thiscannotbeyourname]

Anything that close to Australia is bound to have some crazy stuff lurking in its lands.

[@TheMotoKiwi]

Project0061 Trust me we have Super Deer

[@fakjbf]

There are super moose at least /watch?v=-fP85NpacG8

[@MusicInMyCar]

Everythings super in New Zealand

[@TheMotoKiwi]

Especially the Deer though.

[@IamNotHutch]

great video this was very informative

[@Werevampiwolf]

There's also doping in robotics competitions. It was actually a huge problem at the 2014 California state championship for VEX. Roughly 2/3rds of the teams were suspected of tampering with the motors in ways that increased output and put them at an illegal advantage. But only one team was actually caught because all the other dopers had spare, non-doped motors for inspection.

[@freshoutofcrabs]

Propranolol is also used to treat Migraine. I was prescribed that before they switched me over to Topiramate because the Propranolol wasn't working. I had no idea it could be used as a doping agent. Good thing I'm not an athlete :)

[@donfolstar]

The "crazy side effects" listed for anabolic steroids deserves further explanation in a self proclaimed science video. Much like the "dangers" of other drugs, steroid risks have been greatly exaggerated in pop culture. Taken in reasonable dosages the vast majority of people using steroids will experience virtually no adverse side effects. The danger lies in abuse. The steroid using demographic is potentially not well educated (few power lifters have MDs) and definitely in a more-more-more (makin' gains!) mindset which leads to excessive doses and those side crazy effects. NEWSFLASH: many things are crazy bad for you when overused but beneficial when used properly. Anyone shaking their head at this should tune out the sensationalist mainstream media that more or less fabricated "roid rage" long enough to read actual studies or if you're lazy watch 'Bigger, Stronger, Faster'.

[@chadr2604]

Its political.

[@zzz_zzz_ZZZ_zzz_ZZZ_ZZZ_Z_z-ZZ]

@@chadr2604 No

[@chadr2604]

@@zzz_zzz_ZZZ_zzz_ZZZ_ZZZ_Z_z-ZZ actually it is anabolic steroids are great medicine when used for legitimate medical needs.

[@danielcervantes97]

the video was great like always

[@shredink3203]

thank you people for all the work you do on line ? how is the income ? sustainable ?

[@Sokan1993]

Was the study for hgh only 20 days? HGH will make your bones grow, bones doesn't grow in just 20 days.

[@Jwoodard9101]

I agree, HGH will yield no results in 20 days

[@TheKakuhida]

The study was to see effects in athletes who would only take the drug for and average of 20 days. Not for any actual effects in general public over long term use

[@Sokan1993]

The Kakuhida But athletes who uses HGH for performanc enhancing wont use it for 20 days only. Not a single human being who decides to use HGH will only use it for 20 days, as the benefits from HGH are long-term. This study is just flawed.

[@donotlookatmyname2008]

I also agree. In order to see some results from hgh then it has to be injected for at least 1 year to see a difference.

[@arzio47]

+Terminator genysis HGH is usualy taken in 2-4 week cycles whit other drugs your body builds a tolerance and it costs way too much to take it all year round

[@Rainbow00Inferno]

If athletes can't use steroids, then why can models use photoshop?

[@erikatorres1269]

If You use steroids. Your not an athlete.

[@erikatorres1269]

A person who uses steroids. But then there me, an athlete :)

[@evbil_wafflez2114]

+Erika Torres we have the same last name

[@erikatorres1269]

+Evbil_wafflez haha really what's your full name. I live in Cali

[@ApimpNamedSlickBack663]

+Erika Torres dumbest fucking thing I have ever heard

[@S4MJ4M]

Freindly correction: h-GH is not converted to IGF1 in the Liver, but it stimulates its synthesis and release.. IGF1 is a cool protein, I've worked on it for 3 years now!

[@smartinez020]

love your vids

[@BattleBunny1979]

the word "know" is missing in the video description, you know?

[@FellowshipFims]

Do you how they work?

[@RichardLangis]

They accidentally the whole word.

[@9jome3]

I read the description without noticing that, thanks for letting me

[@KittXenn]

Richard Langis I accidentally my whole house once. Good times.

[@mattcat83]

It's too bad Hank couldn't describe the cost/benefits of PED's in a more objective way without calling it 'cheating,' as many substances were only banned after their widespread adoption. Also, he could've given studies on the effects of androgenic steroids between groups of exercising and non-exercising men from control groups.

[@AntshKhel]

I see it no different than the transhumanism episode he did. Augmenting our bodies with chemicals or machines, no difference.

[@alexdian3831]

Wow nearly 400 videos. I remember when I subscribed when the 3rd video came out.

[@monicahenriques2103]

I always get slightly excited whenever New Zealand is mentioned anywhere :D

[@RyldPharaun]

PropranoLOL sounds funny, hahahah... hahah... hah................ oh fuck this, no one's laughing.

[@godlymike1278]

Well I guess we're both sad then because I thought of the same thing...PLOL

[@Veximusvolt47]

I think most people read Propra-No-LOL

[@pochacha]

Metoprolol sounds funny too

[@Greyz174]

lol

[@Urudrim]

i gotta have me some of that deer antler spray...

[@mattiecc33]

Best channel on KZbin thanks

[@didaloca]

I believe (but correct me if I'm wrong) that propanalol is no longer used for treating hypertension, but now used for treating migraines and tension headaches. Although it is only a preventative and won't clear one.

[@RPGaddictC]

The fact that people cheat shows how society values end results more than hard work

[@nerdbot4446]

The intro is wrong. The lunar lander didn´t take off like this

[@manlyboysa]

The video is wrong, this video is about doping

[@Tupster]

Who says the lunar lander in the video is taking off?

[@qubicx]

Jason Wilkins very good point

[@ayen789]

Heyyy! I was just studying IGF-1 for my animal developmental biology class!

[@CrematedGK]

I Just had a presentation on this at school. WHY DIDENT YOU UPLOAD THIS LAST WEEK.

[@3dz3dz]

look back through the video, the green screen makes your neck look fuzzy

[@CaldaroneRyan]

Hank, you should create longer documentaries so that in the future the next generation can watch and cherish you on Netflix-- like we do with Carl Sagan.

[@Shnoshk]

You know that "The Cosmos" is coming back?! Neil Degrasse Tyson is the host and it will be produced by Seth Macfarlane! There are trailers for it on youtube.

[@benjaminkcagain]

Shnoshk I hadn't heard that -- thanks for the heads up!

[@maxximumb]

Edit several together to make one TV length episode?

[@TotallyGlar]

Scishow team, is bubblegum really partly made of plastic? How unhealthy\healthy is it? Thanks for always putting up such informational videos we can all learn from, you guys rock!

[@spoonman8828]

Yes I love this channel

[@Numbers_Game]

Those drugs are only illegal because of the side effects. Most of the athletes didn't want to pay the price and so they banned them. If they redirected their energy from explaining why it's bad to trying to figure out how to remove the undesired effects while keeping the increased performance, that would be beneficial. Not a lot of people have a problem with people using vitamin & mineral supplements, do you think they wouldn't use steroids if there were no drawbacks because it's "unethical" or cheating"?

[@88rowey]

not entirely true.most of the health problems related to steroids are still largely debatable due to the difficulty of conducting accurate studies... there is also banned (but not illegal) supplements such as peptides and SARMS which show anabolic effects but have hardley to nil side effects from taking them....hell,even some creatines are forbidden to athletes...the reason why these supplements are forbidden is because it gives a notable advantage over someone who does not have excess or is not taking the same product.

[@Numbers_Game]

88rowey Someone who does not have access? Hmm, you would think that all professional athletes would have enough capital power to purchase those products. At the end of the day it all comes down to advantage, whether it be genetic, financial or the use of illegal substances. While genetic might be the least notable advantage, it is an advantage none the less.

[@88rowey]

NOBUNAGA1991 some professional athletes in under develop countries cannot afford exspensive supplements and treatments.....thats not to say i dont agree with you.there is multiple levels of what you can define as an 'advantage' and i actually believe genetics is a huge one....furthermore i personally dont beleive steroids should be illegal for people who are not competing and just wish to better themselves as long as its monitored by a medical professional.if people are allowed to destroy their livers and lungs by drinking and smoking then a person should be able to take performance enhancing 'drugs'

[@noobednatherium4082]

They can't remove those undesired effects because those effects are tiny things we have a little bit of but since we bulk up the positive things we produce naturally those will bulk up too.

[@danjohnson361]

How is it cheating if every competitive athlete uses steroids?

[@jbkjbk1999]

cuz its against the rules

[@twoshu8940]

(Continuing last comment) BITCH

[@jbkjbk1999]

lol

[@danjohnson361]

It's against the rules, but I don't think it's morally wrong when everyone uses. You will need to use PEDs in order to be a professional athlete. I think legalizing PEDs and allowing them in sports is best. that's just my opinion.

[@MKWiiLuke4TW]

Not every person uses, then... Also dangerous side effects and an edge given to them that is unfair to those who want to survive passed 60 years old

[@DaveRussellShatner]

That was very informative and an all round great show as usual. I just have one tiny gripe; 'Bicep,' should be, 'Biceps.' We talk about a biceps muscle. I know this is nit-picking, but I'm sure you want to get everything absolutely right. Thanks for the shows and keep them coming. Best wishes.

[@LucasAnthonyVids]

Hank could you please make a video about pre and post workout formulas.

[@biscoito1r]

You can also spend a feel months in La Paz

[@whoeveriam0iam14222]

if you have the choice between all those things and losing.. I'd rather lose a championship than my body

[@Srcsqwrn]

***** I don't understand why people go in to being an athlete and think it's going to last their whole life, though. I understand that you should want to do it, perhaps. Or that, you could consider a short time within that field. But I think maybe you can think of going a different route, when you start to think that your body can't keep up. I'm not sure of what kinds of money athletes like that make, but I'm sure it's more than me, and I'm sure they're able to find those different routes a lot easier.

[@dupersuper1938]

Did he list negative side effects for blood doping?

[@851852093114208513]

***** - Hey, they're paid millions of dollars to be the best. If they want to dope and destroy their body, whatever.

[@shadyonej]

igf1 actually works very well so I'm not sure where u guys got ur info on that one. but I do like n follow ur channel :)

[@hilariousnickname]

Funny, I remember reading Footrot Flats comics (about a dog on a farm in NZ), where there'd be periodic story arcs about some of the dogs chewing on deer antlers to make themselves more virile. Had no idea humans did it too.

[@garrett21]

I for one would love to see huge baseball players hitting 5000 yard home runs

[@jeseka9586]

He's talking about the science of the performance enhancing drugs. So no, it's not " like listening to a fat dude talk about diet products" he was talking about the dangers, and the SCIENCE BEHIND THE DRUGS. Jeez. And the abundance of super deer in new zealand is real.

[@nestorreyes8102]

Thank you for the knowledge, great video and sense of humor. Best of luck!

[@dunkermage]

Gotta love the description: ",but do you how they work?"

[@ericvilas]

But what exactly is the line between self-blood transfusions (doping) and, say, training at high altitudes or drinking special protein-rich drinks? It's kind of a blurry line, but I think it's all up to an arbitrary standard. In my opinion, if the rules say "you can't do this" then just don't do it, because that's what the rules say. Maybe there should be other kinds of races, ones where steroids are allowed, to create a place for them to compete fairly. Believe it or not, I've been in a similar discussion in a completely different context: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time speedruns. You have different categories: with some glitches allowed but not others, just to keep everyone on the same playing field. *obscure abbreviations incoming* Any%, Low%, 100%, Any% No RBA/WW, MST, Ganonless, the list just keeps going. There's so many different ways to "cheat", but since each way is accepted within its own category it's ok.

[@AvielMenter]

Sports rules are arbitrary. There isn't necessarily a meaningful difference, the rules just exist to make sure the sport is sufficiently competitive and challenging.

[@ericvilas]

Exactly. So what's stopping people from making a different sport, calling it "doped biking" or something similar, and allow all those people who want to do these things to compete there? It may clear up some of the rule-breaking in ordinary tournaments.

[@AvielMenter]

***** Unless the practice is illegal, there's nothing stopping people from doing that. I'd argue it'd be immoral though, on the grounds that it encourages people to do dangerous things to their bodies.

[@gulllars4620]

Self-transfusions increase the risk of bloodclots forming, which can be highly damaging or fatal. When training at high altitudes your body gradually builds up more red blood cells, while a transfusion does this instantly. Also transfusions allow you to go way past what you can naturally produce. People have different levels of red blood cells naturally. My uncle, who at the time of being 45 and a heavy chain-smoker (80 per day) was able to outrun a semi-pro (medal winning) 18 year old athlete in our family while hiking in mountains. He was a blood donor, and was told his "blood percentage" was 120 (17mg hemoglobin per 100ml blood)

[@anderswosylus80]

Gull Lars I know I'm going to sound dumb, but I'm curious, is 17mg hemolgobin per 100ml of blood a lot? I'm gonna guess that it is, but I want to know for certain. :)

[@kevinstalks5851]

I got in trouble in football because I used steroids for a bad poison ivy rash. Like wtf

[@m0ld3r94]

Sure and I got in trouble because I fell on a testosterone enanthate needle. Every 5 days.

[@Kevin-cm5kc]

Hank: 'since your body uses up to 20 times more oxygen during exercise..' Graphic-at-the-side: '20 PERCENT...calm down hank'

[@planetlexicon]

Excellent recommendation.

[@Ndasuunye]

you said 2 minutes. that was 9 minutes. You're fired.

[@faridyusuf1841]

He said a few minutes! Please check your ears. Thank you

[@Ndasuunye]

farid hahalol that's still less than 9. So he's still fired

[@orbemsolis]

6:25 you said 20 times but the screen says 20 % XD

[@jackflynn301]

The reason for the 4% increase in sprint performance in cycling is due to the added mass from the HGH. The sprinters in cycling are generally the guys who are taller, heavier and have larger upper leg muscles. This is because of the extra force exerted by gravity on the down pedal and because of this they don't have to push as hard on the downpedal.

[@changeisnowpeople]

Good bless you for this. ... I like watching than reading of this.

[@petertimowreef9085]

Cant I just inject some growth hormone into my manhood? Also, Lance should've kept his tour victories. If everybody's cheating, nobody is.

[@IQuickscopeCA]

+Peter Timowreef not a muscle

[@petertimowreef9085]

IQuickscopeCA Noit your only your muscles have to grow when you get bigger.

[@deaconswayne1894]

+IQuickscopeCA HGH will stimulate growth wherever receptors are located, not just in the skeletal muscle alone. Long term users of HGH report that their genitals have grown in size.

[@petertimowreef9085]

Deacon Swayne wtf why arent we funding this, or better: why hasn't some sleazy businessman made billions with this

[@deaconswayne1894]

Well, the manufacturers are making a lot of money out of it. But taking large doses of HGH for long periods of time is expensive and has serious undesirable side effects. It's not as easy as going for an injection and waking up the next day with bigger genitals, if it were we'd all be walking around with 10 inch cocks and a big set of nuts.

[@Orsbore]

I guess I'll just stick to drugs that get me high.

[@warfl4g]

True that sir, still waiting for a crack user to smash everyones record at a sport.

[@dragonthefirelord]

Hey SciShow, if you haven't already, a good video would be on how there are real life superhumans, such as Dean Karnazes. You could also talk about some of the science behind the research that is being done to make superhumans.

[@newera478]

3:50 Hank, I'm still waiting for that gold medal.

[@AuntBibby]

Next time, maybe Hank should talk about non-disabled people who take mental/neurological health medications in hopes of becoming better at mental tasks

[@HungryGuyStories]

Good advice at the end there, Hank. But based on my traumatic experiences with athletes in high school and college, do you really think a typical athlete watches videos like this or can even understand a fraction of the words you used if he did?

[@hunternight332]

Yes granted I’m only watching due to school

[@noobednatherium4082]

Yes as athletes are taught constantly on the topics of the human body and aspects of it relating to sports before they get into it.

[@wakateruuu]

in the hopes of you reading this; you have covered things involving sleep, but i was hoping to hear some about special sleep rythms/regiments. Especially the so called überman sleep regimen, in which you take 6 20 minute naps a day, resulting in only 2 hours of sleep per 24 hours. Supposedly Leonardo da Vinci used it. There are some blogs online of people claiming to have done it, especially Steve Pavlina, who says he has succeeded in doing so for over a year. I myself have tried it as well, succesfully for three months before having to give it up due to a change in jobs which prevented me from taking my precious naps. Sorry for the long story, but i would really really appreciate a Scishow episode about these types of abnormal sleep-patterns and regiments. Thank you.

[@abialo2010]

I was in an motorcycle accident about 3 years ago. it was pretty nasty. alot of nerve and tissue damage. after several surgeries i still had pain in my leg muscles. After must research i tried deer antler spray and started going to the gym. i must say that stuff works good for tightening the muscles and making them look bigger. as far as making them grow.. no. you might be surprised to know the stuff that makes that "spray" up shares a few chemical compounds as Viagra hence the muscle stiffening. I took it for 2 bottles/cycles and lifted extensively. the only real difference i noticed was the amount of morning wood i was having

[@ThePCguy17]

Have you heard about dihydrogen monoxide? It's pretty popular nearly everywhere.

[@defenderoftheadverb]

Yeah that's a performance enhancing antidesiccant I heard. You can buy the dehydrated version. Just add water.

[@ThePCguy17]

It's a serious health threat in the right amounts, too...

[@ThePCguy17]

I admit, I have problems with it too...sometimes I don't bring enough...It's terrible, the withdrawals.

[@ThePCguy17]

that is a danger...

[@bogdan1231]

wasn't there a petition to have it removed from our water systems because of all the drowning it's been related to? Or because it's in all our food too? I remember they got quite a bit of support for it.

[@fjoa123]

still haven't fixed that lunar lander animation issue...

[@kitkat_ricecat]

He said "in a few weeks!" :)

[@robthehitmanrude]

***** Yes I'm joking, don't actually do it.

[@jitteryloki5819]

My grandfather started me using dear antler spray and dried deer antler velvet capsules when i was in grade school.

[@B3Band]

+jitteryloki Explains your username

[@Jwoodard9101]

Always love scishow videos, but one thing I noticed in this one was the 20 day HGH study. In adults 20 days of HGH use will yield virtually no results. Cycles usually of 6 months or longer are required, during which results will begin to appear after 2 to 3 months of use

[@phoebegoldman837]

You guys do realize you did a video about the inaccuracy in the title sequence and then completely failed to change it, right?

[@yahavitah2791]

its not called cheating, its called doing whatever it takes.

[@KrisBlueNZ]

At 6:24 you said that the body uses up to 20 times more oxygen during strenuous exercise than when resting, but the caption says "... up to 20% more oxygen". Just wondering... which one is it?

[@richard645]

Could we possibly have a similar video about ped in academic fields. I know in high stress university the allure of such pharmaceutical aids but a video could do allot of people a world of good.

[@NikhilAutar]

HGH may not increase performance/strength/exercise activity in that one study (not sure if 1 study is reliable, even if it was a RCT - you need 2 for a drug to be FDA approved) but if it increases mass that can be enough in some sports like football or rugby where more mass is a big factor that will stop you from getting tackled/(i only know rugby so I don't really know what the term for that is in american football lol). Haven't seen the study, but if no negative impacts were found as you're suggesting - then having more mass with the same speed/endurance would be beneficial in almost every contact sport actually (not just "violent" sports like boxing, wrestling, rugby and American football but also ones like basketball where increased mass without decreased speed would get you mo' buckets).

[@NatoCaloGaming]

Wait wait wait! North Korea participate at the Olympics!

[@mostafakamaly]

Good video :) Keep it up

[@AnticPosition]

Do a video on the effectiveness on the less illegal muscle builders? Creatine etc?

[@VCheesey]

Stuffing yourself with blood like a blood water balloon...o_e..I just....ew....

[@Gopro50]

Cheaters win, but they usually get caught

[@stevenpinedaromero2302]

Hi! excellent video. What is the program or technique that you use? I´m helping my daughter that has to present a project similar for school and cant find the way to include the graphs, phrases, and videos similar to how you do it. Could you help us? thanks. steven

[@Nerfrl]

I'm curious about rubber. How is it made and what are all of it's uses? Perhaps that's an idea for a future episode?