Scientists are currently developing wonder drugs that could theoretically allow people to gain muscles without lifting a finger. The new "lazy man's exercise pill" is found in two drugs tested at the Salk Institute in San Diego: Aicar and GW1516. So far both substances have already excited and frightened enough people to start wondering how to keep it out of the hands of athletes.
Dr. Ronald Evans, leader of the Salk group, tested the drugs on inactive mice. Aicar increased the mice's endurance on a treadmill by 44 percent after just four weeks of treatment. Mice who received GW1516 experienced a 75 percent increase in endurance, but only if they combined it with some exercise. The drugs basically trick the muscles into thinking they went through an intense workout.
According to the Herald Tribune Evans is sure the pills would have the same affect on humans as we have the same underlying genes as mice. If proven safe, he imagines them doing wonders for those enduring physical therapy sessions, and being especially helpful to health problems like diabetes.
On the front page of the article; however, the Tribune writes:
But such muscle-enhancing drugs would also have obvious appeal to athletes seeking to gain an edge in performance. With funds from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Evans has devised a test to detect whether an athlete has taken the drugs, and has made it available to the World Anti-Doping Agency, which prepares a list of forbidden substances. Officials at the anti-doping agency confirmed that they were collaborating with Evans on testing procedures but could not say when they would start using them.
Personally, I find it extremely fascinating that tests are already being devised to see if a person is on the drugs--before anyone has even tried them. Aicar is a well known drug that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for a heart condition, but neither Aicar nor GW1516 have been tested in people for muscle endurance, meaning long term health effects are still unknown.
With a culture obsessed with body image, it can almost go without saying that pharmaceutical companies are keeping a close eye on the pills as they're bound to make big money. It really wouldn't surprise me if the FDA approves them for over-the-counter sale as soon as possible.
www.WeEarth.com
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