XSIQ
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Physical Education - Ergogenic aids - illegal: narcotics - analgesics

Narcotics - analgesics

Narcotics are drugs [1] that bring relief from pain and give the recipient
a feeling of euphoria. There are many different types - codeine, morphine,
and heroin (opiates) are just a few examples.

The immediate effects are euphoria, which is a feeling of well-being. They
briefly stimulate the higher centres of the brain, and then depress the
activity of the nervous system, which causes relief of pain.

They are primarily used in sports where injury is common. It allows an
athlete to remain competing while injured, in an euphoric state.

These drugs are highly addictive and the risk of respiratory [2] failure
is high.

Narcotic analgesics are very strong pain killers and are a banned
substance, however, there are analgesics like codeine which are a regulated
substance and are actually allowed for use up to a certain level in their
system.

Caffeine is also a regulated substance and athletes must have 12mg/litre
in the urine before a positive reading is indicated. This would be the
equivalent of 6-8 cups of coffee in a short period of time.

* constipation and low blood pressure

* they are addictive (even codeine)

* the withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant

* pain is a warning signal. Suppressing it can lead to further injury

* morphine and heroin are illegal in most countries except for medical
use

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Links:
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[1] http://alison.com/#
[2] http://alison.com/#