Gina Carano is team PED and peptides, as she claims that they have a beneficial role in supporting the overall body health of a fighter.

During her appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Carano discussed the part substances like s*******, testosterone, and peptides play in combat sports. This was particularly in relation to athlete health and past practices in MMA.

“I think that you know, like uh s******* and s******* or testosterone, I think peptides and all that has such a wonderful place in you know we want to keep our bodies healthy and all that has a wonderful place. I just think back then it was a little bit behind the times.”

In her view, these substances improve recovery, strength, and overall physical condition, which helps athletes in their 40s compete with younger athletes in their 20s or 30s. Carano framed her statement in terms of modern sports science and suggested that these compounds, when used responsibly, can support athletes’ health in the long run. 

She also discussed the contrast between the present MMA environment and her early career. She recalled that during her iconic 2009 fight against Cris Cyborg, the sport was very different from what it is today. According to her, the use of PEDs was much more common at the time, with no one to regulate the issue. 

She stated that the issue was not the compound but instead the lack of regulation and the unsupervised check in its use during that period. Today, she admitted, the advancements in testing and supervision have since improved, making it more organized.

“I think that science has come along, and you know far enough along to where we can have that discussion so much better now.”

But does science agree?

Opinions on peptides and other compounds

These substances are also banned by organizations like WADA and Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD). But fair play isn't the only reason behind it. The physical effects, such as thickened blood or the thickening of the wall of the heart, would increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to the extreme dehydration and trauma that are common in a professional fight.

Now, when it comes to testosterone, a Clinical review in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism states that its use has led to increased hematocrit levels, or the number of red blood cells in the blood. Thick blood has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke and blood clots in the rehydration phase of a fighter cutting 15-20 lbs of water.

Then Peptides must be healthy? They are in everything in the skin care industry, aren't they? While some peptides, like the BPC-157 has been shown to increase the healing of tendons and ligaments, this has also been shown to potentially provide nutrients to occult or hidden cancer cells.

Another group of peptides called the Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS) can boost human growth hormone (HGH) production.  HGH improves muscle growth, promoting fat loss by making the liver release insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 contributes to muscle protein synthesis that results in muscle growth. 

Although it should also be noted that the GHS is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list.

What would your takeaway be? Share with us in the comments!

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Joyita Das