#2166 - Enhanced Games cover

#2166 - Enhanced Games

127 minutesEpisode #2166

Christian Angermayer and Dr. Aron D’Souza are the co-founders of the Enhanced Games, an upcoming Olympic-style event that brings together the world’s top athletes to compete without arbitrary bans on performance-enhancing substances. 

www.enhanced.org

Categories

Key Takeaways

The current Olympic system is financially exploitative towards athletes.

Athletes earn very little despite the billions generated by the Olympics.

Legalizing performance enhancing drugs could lead to safer usage.

Shifting to a regulated model might reduce underground use and enhance athlete safety.

The integrity of sports is undermined by doping violations.

Doping not only affects competition fairness but also athlete health.

Health screenings are vital for athlete safety in competitive sports.

Ensuring health can prevent long-term damage from performance-enhancing substances.

The Enhance Games present a new paradigm for competitive athletics.

They challenge traditional views on performance-enhancing substances in sports.

Episode Timestamps

  • Reimagining the Olympics: Performance Enhancing Drugs and Athletes' Rights

    • 44% of Olympians admit to using banned performance enhancing drugs, revealing systemic issues.
    • Current Olympic model fails to financially support athletes despite generating billions in revenue.
    • Proposal for a new, transparent model for performance enhancements under clinical supervision.
  • Doping Controversies and Health in Competitive Sports

    • Discussion on the implications of doping in sports, particularly in swimming and athletics.
    • Concerns raised about athlete health versus fairness in competitive environments.
    • Debate over the future of sports regulations and the concept of 'Enhanced Games.'
  • Exploring the Controversial Impact of Enhanced Games on Sports

    • The Enhance Games offer million-dollar prizes for breaking world records.
    • Athletes openly admit to using enhancements to compete at elite levels.
    • The conversation touches on the historical context of performance-enhancing substances in sports.
  • Discussion on Performance Enhancement and Aging in Combat Sports

    • The use of performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports raises ethical questions.
    • Aging athletes can benefit from testosterone and recovery enhancements.
    • The conversation highlights the need for scientific oversight in performance enhancement.
  • Debating the Ethics of Performance Enhancements in Aging

    • Discussion centers on the benefits of anabolic steroids for older individuals.
    • Critique of societal views on drug use and risk assessment.
    • Call for body autonomy and informed choices regarding enhancements.
  • Psychedelics and Mental Health: A New Perspective

    • Psychedelics like mushrooms are being reconsidered for mental health treatments.
    • Historical suppression of psychedelics by the government is highlighted as a significant issue.
    • Current debates around the legality of psychedelics reflect changing societal attitudes.
  • Exploring the Science and Risks of Psychedelics and Microdosing

    • Microdosing psychedelics can enhance creativity and cognitive function, but risks remain.
    • Scientific evidence is essential for understanding the effects of psychedelics on health.
    • Body autonomy and informed consent are crucial in drug use discussions.
  • Reinventing the Olympic Games Through Enhanced Performance and Revenue Models

    • The discussion focuses on creating a new model for Olympic-style events.
    • Plans include significant athlete payments and reduced infrastructure costs.
    • Major brands are showing interest in sponsoring these enhanced games.
  • Exploring the Economics of Sports and Pharmaceutical Innovations

    • Television rights for sports are increasingly lucrative, especially for the Olympics.
    • Pharmaceutical advancements are reshaping health perceptions and athlete performance.
    • The potential for enhanced games raises ethical and competitive questions in sports.
  • Olympic Athletes and Performance Enhancements: A Humorous Take

    • Performance enhancements may add 5% to athlete performance, complicating world records.
    • The living conditions for athletes at the Olympics raise questions about their focus.
    • Controversial discussions around sex, intimacy, and athlete performance are highlighted.
  • Exploring Performance Enhancers and Societal Impacts

    • Performance-enhancing drugs are discussed in relation to various fields like sports and music.
    • The conversation highlights societal perceptions of addictive substances like sugar and alcohol.
    • There is a call for more open discussions about drug use and its implications.
  • Discussion on Drug Risks and Personal Autonomy

    • Kratom's risks compared to cannabis and other substances were analyzed.
    • The importance of personal autonomy in making informed choices was emphasized.
    • Society's increasing reluctance to take risks was critiqued.
  • Exploring the Impact of Food Choices and Performance Enhancements

    • The discussion highlights the misleading nature of food marketing and health standards.
    • Transgender athlete participation in sports raises complex ethical and biological debates.
    • Capitalism is seen as a potential driver for positive societal change despite its flaws.
  • Debate on Transgender Athletes and Future of Sports

    • Leah Thomas is a focal point in discussions on transgender athletes' fairness.
    • Performance-enhancing substances and gene editing raise ethical questions in sports.
    • The future of athletics may involve advanced human enhancements and technology.
  • Discussion on Health Risks and Drug Testing in Sports

    • The need for transparency in athlete health through public doctors is emphasized.
    • Concerns over the abuse of therapeutic use exemptions in athletics are raised.
    • The role of drug testing in maintaining fairness in sports competitions is highlighted.

People Mentioned

Dr. Aaron D'Souza

President of Enhanced Games

Christian Angamayar

Co-founder of Enhanced Games

Travis Tigard

CEO, US Anti-Doping Agency

Unknown

Commentator, Podcaster

Vitor Belfort

MMA Fighter

Professor David Nutt

Researcher, Author

Unnamed Speaker

Advocate for psychedelic therapy

Professor Carl Hart

Professor, Author

Peter Thiel

Venture Capitalist

Lord Sebastian Coe

President of World Athletics

Ricky Ross

Former drug dealer, Self-educated lawyer

Speaker 1

Podcaster, Commentator

Speaker 2

Podcaster, Commentator

Aaron

Discussant, Potential Athlete Advocate

Bradley Wiggins

British Cyclist

Places Mentioned

Brazil

Country

West London

Location

New York

City

+2 more

Books Mentioned

Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Professor Carl Hart

Notable Quotes

"44% Olympians admit using banned performance enhancing drugs within last year."

Discussing the prevalence of drug use in the Olympics.

"There's something really wrong with the system."

Describing flaws in the current Olympic model.

"Chinese clearly intentionally world anti-doping authority pressure Chinese state covered up."

Discussing doping allegations related to Chinese athletes.

"Should individual free informed consent, adult, be able to make choices about body?"

Debating the ethics of doping in sports.

"Maybe going moon, agree, like something people aspire do."

Discussing the aspirational nature of the Enhance Games compared to the Apollo mission.

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