Viagra, the drug which has changed the lives of lots of men and their women is under the limelight again. It is now debated whether this drug can boost the athletic ability of aspiring sportspersons. Most of us know a drug called paracetamol; it is commonly used for fever and decreases the body temperature. What happens if the same drug is taken by a normal person? Well, it has no effect! These drugs work only on a diseased body. It is the same with sildenafil (Viagra). It is a drug which dilates the blood vessels and allows more blood to certain body parts, which are not functioning optimally. Consequently, only those men who suffer from erectile dysfunction are most benefited by this drug. All others who take in this drug, even though they have a normal body function, may feel potentiated only due to the placebo effect. These second category men are ones who require a little psychological boost for their activities.
When we come to athletes, they are well trained people and are naturally in their best physical form. This it self negates the utility of Viagra, which only brings a weak body to normalcy. Whatever benefit that is perceived from ingestion of this drug is purely psychological, something like a lucky charm. And that is why it is not included in the banned drugs for these athletes. It is an established fact that athletes perform well after a sexual act. Should they be prohibited from sex during these events? When there is no proof of the drug causing physiological enhancement of the body function, it need not be a worry.
Source: cbsnews