Alcohol

Alcohol blocks the release of acetylcholine, which is essential for liver function.  The restriction of the release of this substance also causes decreased levels of seretonin (cells in our brain which make us happy).  Tests have shown increases of muscle strength at low doses because this disables the central nervous system of neuromuscular impulses.  Other common side effects are impaired glucose production, poor temperature regulation, increased diuresis (excretion of urine), all of which affect athletic performance.  Alcohol also decreases exercise time to exhaustion and has been shown to decrease performance in middle-distance running events.

Athletes participating in sports such as shooting or darts believe they are more relaxed and less tense as a result of alcohol, however they actually have a decreased level of hand-eye coordination and impaired judgement.

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