The Physical and Neurological Impact of Excessive Opioid Use in Athletes

This literature review discusses how opioids affect the brain and body, as well as athletic performance. When taking opioids, one may experience physical effects such as drowsiness, nausea, slowed breathing, and dizziness. There are also neurological effects, including euphoria, confusion, and sedation. While all of these can impact day to day activities, they can be even more harmful to the rigorous life an athlete leads. Focus is a big part of any sport, and losing concentration can lead to poor performance and results. Drowsiness and confusion are the biggest factors of fluctuating focus. Not only that, but the decrease in dopamine associated with dopamine leads to brain injury, tiredness, sleep deprivation, and stress. Sleep and stress levels play an important role in performance, determining reaction time, recovery rates, and precision. High levels of stress are also likely to end in burnout. While opioids may seem like a smart decision to deal with pain from injuries, and get back on the field faster, its cons outweigh its pros. There are other pain management methods that are less risky, such as physical therapy, over the counter medicines, and acupuncture. Keywords: Opioids, Addiction, Overdose, Neurological deficits, Physical impairment, Pain Management, Athletic Performance, Dopamine