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Dear Father Angelo,

I would like to ask you something I am too ashamed to ask my priest.  

I am a 20 year old male whose passion is fitness and bodybuilding. I have been training for the past 2-3 years and achieved excellent results. I am thinking about using performance enhancing drugs under medical supervision, without exaggerating, so that I can increase my bodybuilding size in a way that would be impossible without the aid of drugs. Perhaps, I could end up transforming this passion of mine into a job, competing professionally. Bodybuilding does not test for drugs, I would therefore not break any rule. My only concern regards my health.

I would only take dopants under medical supervision, so that I could minimize the risks. I would do routine blood tests, and take any other precautions necessary to ensure my wellbeing.

My question is: would using dopant drugs be considered a sin? If yes, would the sin be a mortal one? 

My sensation is that priests often misjudge “new things” such as doping, because they did not exist when the Gospel was written, therefore we do not have any reference, nor parameter of judgment. Please, do not think that I am trying to convince you that doping is acceptable, but I would like to compare doping to the use of tobacco, which is not even considered sinful! 

I honestly do not know about side effects that these drugs might cause, I can only say that my intention is to use them moderately under medical supervision, as well as get regular health checks.  One of the best doctors in Italy in the field of fitness and bodybuilding says that, even though he does not suggest using these medications to enhance muscle mass and performance, a correct use of them will minimize the side effects, which are present in all drugs.                                                    

One last question: here in Italy I can access these drugs only if prescribed by a doctor. Nevertheless, in other countries -like England- dopants are considered over-the-counter drugs. Could I eventually buy them from England?

Greetings.

P.S. Thank you for this beautiful service, it helps many young people to achieve a better understanding in many fields.

Dear friend,

1. I’d like to remind all our readers that the term doping derives from the verb to dope, which means using performance enhancing drugs.

Doping increases our tolerance to fatigue, and is therefore used to increase our sports performances.

2. Generally, these substances are taken in cycles lasting six to twelve weeks. Usually athletes employ a variety of different drugs (stacking) to improve the pharmacological effects, and to avoid that the organism builds a tolerance to one specific drug.

3. The side effects of doping are essentially four, and can be somehow compared to the effects that birth control pills give (S. LEONE in G:RUSSO, Social Bioethics, p.256).

The first side effect, which is the least important, concerns aesthetics. An increased production of testosterone (male hormone) can cause a receding hairline and balding, which while acceptable for men, is less acceptable for women. In women, an excess of testosterone may cause different forms or virilization, such as hirsutism (abundant hairiness, especially on the face), which generally disappears once the treatment is interrupted. Other side effects are the appearance of acne, and the inflation of the breasts in male subjects.

The second side effect concerns heart sicknesses due to hypertension, among those who are predisposed to it.

The third side effect concerns liver issues, in particular the increased risk of liver cancer. The correlation between a continuative use of male hormone enhancers and liver cancer has been widely demonstrated (S. LEONE, in G.RUSSO, Social Bioethics, p.257).

The fourth side effect consists in the androgens-driven interruption of sperm production. When there are too many androgen hormones in our body, the pituitary gland sends signals to the gonads to reduce activity. As such, doping causes infertility.

4. The ethical problems caused by doping are also four:

  • doping is detrimental to the health of the athlete;
  • doping forces other athletes to use doping in order achieve the same performances of those who are using them;
  • doping makes necessary to rely on external causes rather than on one’s abilities;
  • whoever uses doping has a significant advantage over who does not, and this is unfair.

5. As you can see, doping is not the same thing as smoking, neither for the side effects it may cause nor for the ethical red flags behind it.

Therefore, cast aside this idea, even if doping were not a mortal sin.

I am happy that I came across your question close to Easter time. I hope it can be a peaceful and holy time for you. I pray for you and I bless you.

Father Angelo