What is Thymosin and Ubiquinone?
Are they banned?
FORMER Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank claims that coach James Hird used Hexarelin and Melanotan II. But what are they and why would anyone take them?
In a nutshell, Hexarelin is used to burn fat, gain muscle and help recovery time by stimulating the release of natural growth hormone. In sporting terms, it’s a performance-enhancer, which explains why it has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In clinical trials, Melanotan II boosted sex drive as well as helping the user become tanned. It has never been approved for public use outside of trials, but unlicensed versions are available online.
HexarelinHexarelin is a peptide (remember them? If not, see below), which increases strength and improves the size and growth of muscle fibres by telling the body to increase its levels of natural growth hormone.
Its exponents claim it also helps to protect the nervous system, hastens recovery and healing, and helps to reduce fat without increasing the user's appetite.
Hexarelin is not illegal. It was banned by WADA in 2004, but the ban applies to athletes only, not coaches.
Full report: Hird must have 'natural justice'
Melanotan IIMelanotan II is another peptide that was developed in a US university in an effort to help prevent skin cancer.
Early trials suggested that as well as having a melanogenesis (tanning) effect without the need for sunshine, it also functioned as an aphrodisiac, and could potentially be used to help men with erectile dysfunction.
While not illegal, it has not been approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (or, as yet, any other government medical body) for commercial use.
Concerns have been raised that the use of Melanotan and related products could increase the risk of skin cancer as well as damaging the immune and cardiovascular systems. Many health agencies worldwide have issued warnings about the product.
PeptidesPeptides – a chain of amino acids - have been developed to help human cells to repair and regenerate.
Just as letters of the alphabet form words, amino acids can be combined to produce “words” that are effectively messages for the body.
The peptide variant known as GHRP tells the body to increase levels of growth hormone, making it of particular interest to the sporting and bodybuilding communities.
Not all peptides are banned, but those stimulating growth hormone are on the World Anti-Doping Authority's prohibited list.
However, they are difficult to police and test for because they are rapidly metabolised, effectively disappearing without trace within hours.
They are sold as a cream or in a solution for injection.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/the-drugs-that-james-hird-allegedly-took-explained/story-fnelctok-1226617947615