Viagra as pre-workout supplement?

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
#1

Recently I had been given a couple of Viagra pills, 50mg, from my father. I asked him for a couple as a trial before I would bring the subject up with my doctor. Now I know the idea of using someone else’s prescription medicine is not a good idea in general but this is a very common medication, a low dosage, and I am in good health.

Anyway, it was some time before the opportunity presented itself for me to use them. When it finally did, I took one of the Viagra pills about an hour before I thought the sex would occur (I more or less nailed it, no pun intended). But one of the effects of the medicine that caught me off-guard was the incredible warming of my legs and feet; which, ever since my spinal-cord injury 12 years ago, are ice cold (esp. my feet). The issue with my feet, and to a lesser degree my lower legs, has to do with the nerve damage that happened as a result of my injury and no sort of treatment is even really available to even address the problem (none that are in the least bit effective anyway).

But only about 20-30 minutes after I took the pill I felt a flood of warmth travelling down my legs into my feet. And it wasn’t just warmth, it was a pump. It was really unbelievable. I could feel the blood flow pulsing strongly in my feet and I had no trace of the painful frigid coldness that is a part of my life, 24/7. Oh, and it also made the sex (and the orgasm, who would have thought?:eek:) just WOW!

But it made me think: wouldn’t this make the perfect pre-workout supplement/drug? Most pre-workout supplements on the market now all feature some “pump-inducing” mechanism, usually arginine-based ingredients. But none I’ve used have come close to the blood flow-inducing/pump-inducing effects of Viagra.

What do you all think? Hypothetically, of course; I know using a prescription drug for purposes other than it’s prescribed and intended use is illegal and I’m not advocating such. I am just intrigued by the idea.

#2

There is absolutely nothing more awkward than trying to bench or squat with a raging hard-on.

#3

Sounds like a recipe for a heart attack.

Yes, sex can be strenuous, but unless you’re getting really, really wild, it’s not nearly as physical and sustained as your average workout.

#4

A stand-up comic I saw many years ago had a joke about slipping a jock friend some viagara before a workout, so he got an erection around other jocks in the weight room and became concerned that he was gay. Was sorta funny the way the comic told it, I guess.

But then my buddy–who, much to my disappointment, juices–remarked how that would be a “good idea” to use viagara before a workout to increase your blood flow, much like you suggest. He never did, though, to the best of my knowledge.

I assumed that guys who got prescriptions for viagara were middle aged to old, and in poor health which led to their E.D. For someone like that, taking viagara and exercising sounds awfully dangerous.

#5

On the other hand, you can carry an extra plate.

#6

You don’t automatically get a boner by taking viagra. You still need to be aroused.

#7

Why? Considering the trainee is in good health.

#8

A google search got me this:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-06-09/sports/17899896_1_viagra-athletes-john-romano

Apparently it has chemical similarities to No Explode and other supplements that bodybuilders actually DO take, so you may be on to something.

#9

You probably think everyone else is misspelling it, right?

#10

No shit…The following is a quote from that link:
"Kenneth Rundell, a respiratory researcher at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., said Viagra could increase stamina for athletes who compete at oxygen-poor high elevations.

“Any sport that’s primarily an aerobic sport would benefit - cross-country skiers, cyclists, marathoners, 10K runners, 5K runners,” he said.

For a 2006 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, scientists using trained cyclists at high altitudes as test subjects found the drug had a similar effect on the lungs as it did on the penis, improving blood flow and moving more oxygen to muscles."

That pump I experienced from viagra was something that felt undeniable to me as far as having a potentially advantageous use from an athletic perspective. It just seemed so obvious. This makes sense.

#11

Well, like I tell my piano teacher when I constantly hit the same wrong note, “at least I’m consistent!” :smiley:

#12

Why not just ask your doctor?

#13

The other hand? Just what hulk viagra are we talking about here?

But seriously, i would be concerned about long term health effects.

#14

Just remember that if your workouts last more than four hours, consult a physician.

#15

So even if it doesn’t help your workout, it could be a learning experience.

#16

Actually, I mentioned recreational use of Viagra to my MD at my last physical and he said he saw no reason not to try it. He wrote me a script, but I priced it and said no thanks.

#17

Thats what I was going to say. I have never taken viagra but I have taken ja3ked and other such supplements. They do increase your pressure and heart rate too. I don’t think the risk would be much different. But of course I’m not a doctor.

#18

shrug It was originally a (semi-failed) blood pressure medication before its, ah, more famous effects were documented, and it works by altering how your circulatory system works. I don’t personally see any reason not to try it and see what would happen. It’s a common and relatively low-risk drug, especially when the person taking it is in otherwise good health.

#19

Hmm, I know where you can get it Ch3ap! Lemme look for that email…

#20

If it warms up your legs, maybe you could talk to your doctor about taking it on a regular basis? That’s a desirably niftalicious side effect.