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10 PEDs Banned by CrossFit and How They Affect the Human Body

Educate yourself about this controversial topic.

This article explores a selection of banned PEDs in Crossfit on the principle that knowledge is power. 

Performance enhancing drugs in sports are a controversial and universal reality, but one that must be fought against constantly. The information here is designed to give you an indication of how these drugs affect the human body. It is not difficult to imagine the pressures that could drive an athlete to take PEDs, but when people learn that many SARMS still only have alphanumerical code names because they have not yet been approved for human consumption and that medical trials had to be discontinued because the test mice were developing cancer, it may serve as a helpful deterrent. 

On the final page, I have included much more information on CrossFit’s official drug policy and how they rigorously test athletes. 

CROSSFIT BANS THE FOLLOWING CLASSES OF DRUGS AT ALL TIMES:

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Street Drugs
  • Diuretics and Other Masking Agents
  • Peptide Hormones and Analogues
  • Anti-Estrogens and Metabolic Modulators
  • Beta-2 Agonists (permitted with prescription and TUE, and through inhalation only)

TESTOLONE – RAD140

In 2017 Ricky Garard, a 23-year-old from Australia, lost the US$76,000 he’d won for his third-place overall finish and his first-place finishes in the Madison Triplet and Cyclocross events. He was also been banned from participating in any CrossFit-sanctioned event through the 2021 season, and his invitation to compete in the 2017 Reebok CrossFit Invitational was rescinded. He tested positive for testolone, and a beta-2 agonist known as endurobol.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0cR32hh6L/?hl=en&taken-by=rickygarard

Testolone, also known as RAD140, is a research compound being studied for the treatment of cancer and muscle wasting disorders. It is an orally bioavailable selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that has the ability to increase lean muscle mass and reinforce the effects of testosterone.

ENDUROBOL – GW 501516

Endurobol (GW 501516 or Cardarine) is a research chemical developed in the 1990s to prevent and cure tumour formation in the colon, prostate, and breasts. Studies done in the early 2000s have found that GW 501516 and other PPAR agonists have also been able to stop metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes through specific gene expressions. Endurobol was also found to have the ability to burn off excess fatty tissue, enhance recovery, and dramatically increase endurance.

The research was abandoned in 2007 because animal testing showed that the drug caused cancer to develop rapidly in several organs. WADA developed a test for GW501516 and other related chemicals and added them to the prohibited list in 2009; it has issued additional warnings to athletes that GW501516 is not safe.

SELECTIVE ANDROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS (SARMS)

Fifty-two-year-old Josée Sarda of Canada East, who placed first in the Masters Women 50-54 Division, tested positive for selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), ostarine and testolone.

SARM stands for selective androgen receptor modulator, and it’s a type of drug that’s chemically similar to anabolic steroids. SARMs are drugs that deliver some of the benefits of anabolic steroids with fewer of the short-term side effects.

Research clearly shows that they suppress natural testosterone production and negatively impact the endocrine system, and there’s evidence that they can increase the risk of cancer, too. Several large trials on the SARM cardarine had to be cancelled because it was causing cancerous growths in the intestines of mice.

BANNED PEDs IN CROSSFIT – OSTARINE

Ostarine is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). It was developed by a pharmaceutical company known as GTX to help people to fight against muscle-wasting conditions. It achieves the end result by binding androgen receptors in the same manner as prohormones or anabolic steroids.

hGH – HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE

hGH, produced by the pituitary gland, spurs growth in children and adolescents. It also helps to regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism. 

It is used to treat Turner’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects a girl’s development, Prader-Willi syndrome (an uncommon genetic disorder causing poor muscle tone, low levels of sex hormones, and a constant feeling of hunger), Chronic kidney disease and hGH deficiency or insufficiency.

hGH stimulates many metabolic processes in cells. hGH affects protein, fat, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism. The major role of hGH is to stimulate the liver to secrete Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I). IGF-I stimulates the production of cartilage cells, resulting in bone growth and also plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis and organ growth.

hGH is prohibited both in- and out-of-competition under section S2 of WADA’s List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. 

Some of the effects attributed to hGH, which may explain the attraction for its use as a doping agent, especially in power and endurance sports, include the reduction of body fat (lipolysis), the increase in muscle mass and strength (anabolic effect), as well as its tissue-repairing effects (recovery) on the musculo-skeletal system. The anabolic actions of GH are mostly mediated through IGF-I and include increases in total body protein turnover and muscle synthesis. hGH also appears to be used synergistically with other performance-enhancing drugs, thus having an effect, albeit indirect, on muscle anabolism and athletic performance.

Commonly reported side effects for hGH abuse are: diabetes in prone individuals; worsening of cardiovascular diseases; muscle, joint and bone pain; hypertension and cardiac deficiency; abnormal growth of organs; accelerated osteoarthritis. 

hGH can also lower life expectancy. 

ANAVAR – OXYANDROLONE

Individual athlete Megan Benzik was banned for 4 years after testing positive for Anavar earlier this year. She competed in the South Regional. 

Anavar is one of the most popular oral anabolic steroids of all time. First produced in 1964, Anavar was the brand name for oxandrolone. Anavar taken in the high doses required to build lean muscle can lead to the natural suppression of testosterone production, liver damage, heart attacks and strokes. 

ANASTROZOLE

Tony Turski, a 56-year-old masters athlete from Southern California who finished second in the Masters Men 55-59 Division in 2017, tested positive for Anastrozole.

Tony TurskiSource: CrossFit Inc

Anastrozole is used with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, to treat early breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual periods). This medication is also used in women, who have experienced menopause, as a first treatment of breast cancer that has spread within the breast or to other areas of the body.

Anastrozole combats and limits the amount of estrogen secretions in the body, which in turn, maximizes the effects testosterone has on the body.

LIGANDROL – LGD4033

Carlos Castillo from the Latin America Regional tested positive for this and has also received a 4-year sanction. 

LGD-4033 is an investigational selective androgen receptor (SARM) modulator for treatment of conditions such as muscle wasting and osteoporosis. Ligandrol works in the same way as other SARM’s: by selectively activating androgen receptors to promote anabolic activity exclusively in muscle and bone.

ADDERALL

Adderall is a combination drug containing four salts of the two enantiomers of amphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine class. Adderall is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is also used as an athletic performance enhancer and cognitive enhancer, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant.

It increases alertness, aggressiveness, attention and concentration. It improves reaction time, especially when fatigued. It can cause rhythm disturbances in the heart and seizures. Some users have reported grandiose feelings and enhanced confidence as well. 

ERYTHROPOIETIN

Erythropoietin is a type of hormone used to treat anaemia in people with severe kidney disease. It increases the production of red blood cells and haemoglobin, resulting in improved movement of oxygen to the muscles. Epoetin, a synthetic form of erythropoietin, is commonly used by endurance athletes.

Erythropoietin use among competitive cyclists was common in the 1990s and allegedly contributed to at least 18 deaths. Inappropriate use of erythropoietin may increase the risk of thrombotic events, such as stroke, heart attack and pulmonary embolism.

The following text is from CrossFit Inc:

APPENDIX A: 2018 CROSSFIT BANNED SUBSTANCE CLASSES

SOME EXAMPLES OF BANNED SUBSTANCES IN EACH DRUG CLASS:

  • Anabolic Agents (sometimes listed as a chemical formula, such as 3,6,17-androstenetrione): boldenone; clenbuterol; DHEA (7-
    Keto); nandrolone; stanozolol; testosterone; methasterone; androstenedione; norandrostenedione; methandienone; etiocholanolone;
    trenbolone; tibolone; zeranol; etc.
  • Street Drugs: heroin; cocaine
  • Diuretics and Other Masking Agents: bumetanide; chlorothiazide; desmopressin; furosemide; hydrochlorothiazide; probenecid;
    spironolactone (canrenone); triamterene; trichlormethiazide; etc.
  • Peptide Hormones and Analogues: growth hormone (hGH); human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); erythropoietin (EPO); growth
    factors and growth factor modulators; etc.
  • Anti-Estrogens: anastrozole; tamoxifen; formestane; 3,17-dioxo-etiochol-1,4,6-triene (ATD); etc.
  • Beta-2 Agonists: fenoterol; formoterol; salbutamol; salmeterol; etc.

CROSSFIT BANS THE FOLLOWING CLASSES OF DRUGS IN-COMPETITION

  • Stimulants
  • Narcotics
  • Cannabinoids
  • Glucocorticoids

SOME EXAMPLES OF BANNED SUBSTANCES IN EACH DRUG CLASS:

  • Stimulants: 1,3-dimethylbutylamine; amphetamine (Adderall); cocaine; ephedrine; fenfluramine (Fen); methamphetamine;
    methylphenidate (Ritalin); phentermine (Phen); synephrine (bitter orange); methylhexaneamine; “bath salts” (mephedrone); etc.
    (Exceptions: phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are not banned.)
  • Narcotics: buprenorphine; dextromoramide; methadone, morphine, oxycodone; etc.
  • Cannabinoids: natural cannabinoids; cannabis, marijuana; synthetic cannabinoids e.g. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other
    cannabimimetics. (Exceptions: cannabidiol)
  • Glucocorticoids: Cortisone; Hydrocortisone; Prednisolone; Triamcinolone; etc.

DRUGS AND PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS:

  • Blood doping
  • Intervenous infusions
  • Local anesthetics (under some conditions)
  • Manipulation of urine samples
  • Caffeine if concentrations in urine exceed 15 micrograms/ml
  • Gene doping

NUTRITIONAL/DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS WARNING:

Before consuming any nutritional/dietary supplement, research the product and consult a physician or pharmacist. Dietary supplements are not
well regulated and may cause a positive drug test result. Athletes have tested positive and received sanctions for using tainted dietary supplements,
even when labels claim the product is safe and compliant. Many dietary supplements are contaminated with unlisted, banned substances.
Any dietary supplement is taken at your own risk. It is your responsibility to know what you are ingesting. Consult a pharmacist or doctor
before using any supplement. You are responsible for what you put into your body.

“The CrossFit Games are the world’s premier and definitive test of fitness. To protect the integrity of the competition and its athletes, CrossFit works hard to ensure a level playing field, in part by creating and enforcing the guidelines outlined in the Rulebook, and in part by strongly enforcing an anti-doping policy—an absolute necessity in order to crown the Fittest on Earth.

Each year, CrossFit Inc. expands its efforts and methods of testing. The following Regional athletes have been found in breach of CrossFit’s Drug Testing Policy.

Athletes who commit a violation of the Drug Testing Policy will have the right to state their case prior to any sanctions being imposed. Within 72 hours of being notified of their violation, an athlete must provide written notice of their intent to submit a written petition of appeal concerning the violation. A request by the athlete for any pertinent documents (if necessary or desired) must be made within this initial written notice and not at a later date. Thereafter, from the time of receipt of any materials provided by CrossFit, the athlete has 10 business days to submit the written petition of appeal explaining why they are not in violation of the Drug Testing Policy. Following a review of the athlete’s petition of appeal, CrossFit will respond in a timely manner to provide a written response of its decision, including supporting reasons, either to deny or grant the appeal. If, after this investigation, the athlete is found to be in violation of the Drug Testing Policy, CrossFit will proceed with applying any appropriate sanctions.

CrossFit recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. In rare cases, CrossFit permits a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to be granted for those athletes with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for the regular use of such a drug. CrossFit adheres to the standards set by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and will only grant a TUE in strict accordance with all of the criteria details in the Drug Policy. The use of a prohibited substance to increase “low-normal” levels of any endogenous hormone and the use of anabolic substance are not considered an acceptable therapeutic intervention.

CrossFit partners with Drug Free Sport, which conducts drug analysis for the NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA, along with 300 other sports and athletic organizations, to administer its testing program. A laboratory approved by WADA processes blood and urine samples collected from CrossFit Games athletes.”

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