Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, President of INCB and Director of Üsküdar University's Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, drew attention to a new threat affecting not only the sports world but also academia and business life, warning, “Synthetic stimulants and ‘smart drugs’ are now widely used not only for recreational purposes but also to enhance performance.”
Noting that the use of performance enhancers has now gone beyond the field and entered classrooms and offices, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated, “Students and professionals resort to these synthetic stimulants to focus for long periods and increase their productivity.”
Highlighting that synthetic substances, once produced only in underground laboratories, are now being legitimized with the promise of “success” and “productivity,” Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy asked, “As smart drugs infiltrate every aspect of society, the real question is:
Are we really becoming smarter and stronger, or just more addicted?”
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) – an organ of the United Nations – and Director of Üsküdar University's Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, drew attention to a new threat affecting not only the world of sports but also academia and business life.
“Synthetic stimulants” and “smart drugs” are also used to enhance performance
In her assessment of the rapid spread of performance-enhancing synthetic substances, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy warned, “Synthetic stimulants and “smart drugs” are now widely used not only for recreational purposes but also to enhance performance.”
Stating that a new generation of cognitive enhancers and psychoactive substances is rapidly spreading, Prof. Dr. Atasoy said, “Cognitive enhancers marketed as nootropics, counterfeit steroids, and new psychoactive substances (NPS), are rapidly spreading among both professional and amateur users. These substances often create amphetamine, cathinone, or synthetic cannabinoid effects and can be hidden in innocent-looking products like herbal food supplements.”
The integrity of sports is under threat
Prof. Dr. Atasoy pointed out that doping has long undermined the spirit of fair competition in sports. She added, “However, the Board reports that in recent years, doping cases have increased not only with classic steroids but also with new chemicals not yet on the prohibited list. These substances can accelerate not only performance but also recovery time. The problem is that many ‘natural’ athlete supplements actually contain undeclared psychoactive substances, making them very difficult to detect with standard doping tests.”
Doping has also entered classrooms and offices
Noting that the use of performance enhancers has now gone beyond the field and entered classrooms and offices, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated, “Students and professionals resort to these synthetic stimulants to focus for long periods and increase their productivity. The INCB notes that the misuse of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications – such as amphetamine, dexamphetamine, and methylphenidate – is widespread, and easier access to prescriptions is also fueling this situation.
According to experts, using these drugs in combination with synthetic stimulants can increase the risk of poisoning or negate their therapeutic effects.”
Covert trade in the digital market
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy also stated that investigations carried out under the INCB’s GRIDS Program detected synthetic steroid and opioid products sold under the name “testosterone” on hundreds of online platforms, warning, “In the first five months of 2025 alone, 693 suspicious listings were found on English-language e-commerce sites. Most of these substances are sold under the guise of ‘natural supplements’ and can sometimes be mixed with opioids (e.g., tramadol or tapentadol), leading to fatal consequences.”
Call for international cooperation!
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy stated that the INCB has issued a global warning regarding counterfeit or illicitly manufactured performance-enhancing products, based on information from 10 countries (including Brazil, India, Mexico, and the USA) over the past two years. She added, “The Board invites governments to instantly share seizure information about such substances via the IONICS platform and to increase cooperation with organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).”
For the sake of “appearing smart”
Highlighting that synthetic substances, once produced only in underground laboratories, are now being legitimized with the promise of “success” and “productivity,” Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy concluded her remarks by saying, “Short-term improvements in attention or performance can lead to long-term addiction, cardiovascular diseases, and even the risk of death. In short, as ‘smart drugs’ infiltrate every aspect of society, the real question is:
Are we really becoming smarter and stronger, or just more addicted?”