University of Kent Professor Supports Drugs to Help ‘Lazy’ People Exercise

University of Kent Professor and Director of Research at the School of Sport and Exercise Science Samuele Marcora is advocating for what some may consider a drastic, or controversial approach to getting “lazy” people to exercise – doping. Professor Marcora believes that by “reducing perception of effort during exercise using caffeine or other psychoactive drugs (e.g. methylphenidate and modafinil) could help many people stick to their fitness plans” according to a University news release.

Professor Marcora argues that “perception of effort is one of the main reasons why most people choose sedentary activities for their leisure time.” Finding ways to encourage people with especially low motivation – especially those dealing with mental fatigue or that are overweight – to stick with even moderate exercise plans, like walking, would be a victory.

The major hurdle he can foresee to this method gaining traction is the negative perception of doping in sports, but argues that there is no ethical opposition to the use of psychoactive drugs to quit smoking or treat obesity, and hopes this type of treatment will be considered “fairly and seriously rather than immediately rejected” based on this “unrelated” association with doping in sports.