Drawing attention to a new threat that affects not only the world of sports but also academia and professional life, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Director of Üsküdar University’s Graduate School of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, Prof. Sevil Atasoy, warned that “synthetic stimulants and so-called ‘smart drugs’ are now being used not only for recreation but also widely for performance enhancement.”
Prof. Atasoy emphasized that the use of performance enhancers has spread beyond sports fields into classrooms and offices. Atasoy said, “Students and professionals are increasingly turning to synthetic stimulants to stay focused for longer periods and to boost their productivity.”
Pointing out that synthetic substances once produced only in underground laboratories are now being legitimized under the promise of “success” and “productivity,” Prof. Atasoy asked a striking question:
“As ‘smart drugs’ infiltrate every aspect of society, the real question is this: Are we truly becoming smarter and stronger, or simply more dependent?”
Prof. Sevil Atasoy, who serves as both President of the United Nations–affiliated International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Director of Üsküdar University’s Graduate School of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, emphasized that this emerging threat extends far beyond the boundaries of sports, now deeply affecting academic and professional life as well.
“Synthetic stimulants” and “smart drugs” used for performance enhancement
Commenting on the rapid spread of synthetic performance-enhancing substances, Prof. Atasoy warned, “Synthetic stimulants and ‘smart drugs’ are now widely used not only for recreation but also to enhance performance.”
She noted that new-generation cognitive enhancers and psychoactive substances are spreading quickly. “Cognitive enhancers marketed as nootropics, counterfeit steroids, and new psychoactive substances (NPS) are rapidly gaining popularity among both professional and amateur users. These substances often mimic the effects of amphetamines, cathinones, or synthetic cannabinoids and are frequently disguised in seemingly harmless products such as herbal supplements,” she said.
The integrity of sport under threat
Pointing out that doping has long undermined the spirit of fair competition in sports, Prof. Atasoy stated, “However, the Board reports that in recent years, doping cases have increased not only due to classical steroids but also because of new chemicals that have not yet been added to the list of banned substances. These compounds can enhance not only performance but also recovery time. The problem is that many so-called ‘natural’ sports supplements actually contain undeclared psychoactive substances, making them extremely difficult to detect through standard doping tests.”
Doping has entered classrooms and offices
Prof. Atasoy drew attention to the fact that performance enhancers are no longer confined to sports. “Students and professionals are now using synthetic stimulants to sustain focus and increase efficiency. The INCB reports that the misuse of medications prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methylphenidate, has become widespread and that easier access to prescriptions has worsened the situation. Experts warn that combining these medications with other synthetic stimulants can increase the risk of poisoning or nullify their therapeutic effects,” she said.
Hidden trade in the digital marketplace
Prof. Atasoy noted that investigations conducted under the INCB’s GRIDS Program have identified synthetic steroid and opioid products being sold under the name “testosterone” across hundreds of online platforms. She said, “In the first five months of 2025 alone, 693 suspicious listings were detected on English-language e-commerce sites. Most of these substances are sold as ‘natural supplements,’ and some are mixed with opioids such as tramadol or tapentadol, which can have fatal consequences.”
A call for international cooperation
Prof. Atasoy emphasized that, based on information received over the past two years from ten countries including Brazil, India, Mexico, and the United States, the INCB has issued a global alert on counterfeit or illegally manufactured performance-enhancing products. “The Board urges governments to share real-time information on seizures of such substances via the IONICS platform and to strengthen cooperation with organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA),” she said.
The cost of trying to “look smart”
Drawing attention to how synthetic substances once confined to underground labs are now being normalized under the promise of “achievement” and “efficiency,” Prof. Atasoy warned, “Short-term boosts in focus or performance may result in long-term consequences such as addiction, cardiovascular disease, and even death. In short, as ‘smart drugs’ permeate every layer of society, we must ask ourselves whether we are truly becoming smarter and stronger or just more dependent.”