I am curious.

Is DHEA really a PED?

Does everyone agree it is?

I found this summary on another forum, thought it was insightful. I can't vouch for its accuracy.



Like many products, DHEA may not have any direct performance enhancing qualities but it appears to be an integral element of a comprehensive doping program.

It's on the banned substances list.

End of story.

In terms of understanding and applying the rules, you are right.

However it can be interesting to understand why a certain product is on the list, especially if that product is not considered to be a performance enhancer on its own but used as a masking agent or bridge between doping cycles. One reason for this understanding is to counter the arguments that sanctions for testing positive for certain products are not warranted. It could also be useful for the athletes to fully understand the reasons so they don't overlook the importance of not taking banned substances.

I agree with your “its on the list so end of story” comment.

But that was not the intent of my post. I wanted to know what the opinions are with regards to the effectiveness of the supplement.
Not so clear to me that it actually works. You can buy the stuff at the CVS / Walgreens / DuaneReade. Which would make it one heck of a short cut to other PED’s.

Steve, This topic was not created to make you uncomfortable regarding your friend. It did trigger my imagination when I read about your friend and his current situation. In my opinion if he just used the DHEA then maybe just maybe it is not such a big deal, in my opinion.

In the book Lore of Running they say this.
“As a result of the IOC ban on anablolic steroids, the sale of anabolic steroid prohormones (such as dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], androstenedione, and noradrostenedione) has soared, largely because manufactures of commercially availagle supplements wish to capitalize on athletes’ desire to improve performace by taking products that might mirror the effects of steroids. The theory is that these prohormones are coverted iton anabolic steroids in the body, thereby producing identical effects to those of the established and widely used anabolic steroids. Of course, the intent behind the use of prohormones is no different from that which spurs the use of the parent anablolic steroids. Thus, the intent behind the use of prohormones also constitutes cheating.
At present, the efficacy of these prohomoes is unknown (Burke, Desdrow, et al. 200; Yyhal and Lamb 2000). It is also alleged that the illegale use of the other hormones that may have anabolic effects—growth hormone (GH) , insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)—is common among some athletes wishing to increase their strength, speed, or power.
Because there are no clinical trials measuring their effects in athletes, the magnitude of benefit, if any, is not yet known. However, there is no reason to believe that they do not have a significant effect, as athletes would not risk using them if they did not.”





I am not sure I would agree that everyone or the majority of folks caught using DHEA were using it for a bridge or just one part of a comprehensive doping program. Of course I do not do PED's so it is difficult to understand the cult.

I wasn't suggesting that all or a majority of those caught taking DHEA were using it to enhance performance, just that it appears that this is one possibility.

It is one of those things that will always be difficult to determine in individual situations, and thus will likely remain controversial - like asthma medication, vicks nasal spray, actovegin, etc. Steve is right on one point, from the moment a substance is on the banned list there should be no discussion about the validity of the positive. Kenny Williams appears to agree, as he has not contested this point in the least from what I have seen.