Buckle up your brains and grab your notepad. This episode has the potential of blowing your mind wide open!

In this episode of the Exercise Mechanic Podcast, Dr. Dean St. Mart discusses the complexities of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), their categories, and the context-specific nature of their use in various sports. He emphasizes the importance of understanding genetics, epigenetics, and the risks associated with PEDs, including the necessity of regular blood work to monitor health. The conversation also touches on the Enhanced Games, a new approach to sports that allows for the use of PEDs under controlled conditions, and the ethical considerations surrounding this shift. Dean shares insights on how to approach performance enhancement responsibly, focusing on the interplay between training, nutrition, and drug use, while also addressing the misconceptions and societal implications of PEDs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context Setting

01:37 Understanding Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

10:24 The Ethics and Future of Enhanced Sports

20:38 Defining Health and Risk in Performance Enhancement

31:16 Guidance for First-Time Users of PEDs

47:17 The Synergy of Training, Diet, and Performance Enhancers

50:16 Understanding Recovery and Contest Prep

52:39 The Importance of Mitochondrial Efficiency

56:27 Intentional Lifting and Exercise Selection

01:00:02 The Role of Blood Work in Performance Enhancement

01:04:39 Key Health Metrics for Athletes

01:09:59 Iron Metabolism and Oxidative Stress

01:12:41 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights