U.S. Army Research on Pharmacological Enhancement of Soldier Performance: Stimulants, Anabolic Hormones, and Blood Doping

Human enhancement drugs and Armed Forces: an overview of some key ethical considerations of creating 'Super-Soldiers'

There is a long history and growing evidence base that the use of drugs, such as anabolic-androgenic steroids, to enhance human performance is common amongst armed forces, including in Australia. We should not be surprised that this might have occurred for it has long been predicted by observers. It is a commonplace of many recent discussion of the future of warfare and future military technology to proclaim the imminent arrival of Super Soldiers, whose capacities are modified via drugs, digital technology and genetic engineering, in ways that increase their performance exponentially. This is what some observers have referred to as the "Gladiator Model" wherein the aim is to create soldiers able to perform feats of which ordinary citizens are not capable. One key aspect of this "gladiator project" is the use of illicit drugs to enhance performance. Could we use drugs, such as steroids or amphetamines, to enhance performance? Should we use such drugs? In this paper we explore the ethics of creating Super Soldiers, and raise issues of consent, coercion and the extent to which such use is permitted or condemned by just war theory. We conclude that much will depend on the extent to which such use is harmful to the soldiers themselves and this is still an open question.

Stimulant Use as a Fatigue Countermeasure in Aviation

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a common problem in aviation. The identification of efficacious fatigue countermeasures is crucial for sustaining flight performance during fatigue-inducing operations. Stimulants are not recommended for consistent use, but are often implemented during flight operations with a high risk of fatigue. As such, it is important to evaluate the efficacy of approved stimulants for sustaining flight performance, alertness, and mood.METHODS: Four electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were systematically searched to identify research on the effects of caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil during simulated or in-flight operations.RESULTS: There were 12 studies identified that assessed the effects of at least 1 stimulant. Overall, dextroamphetamine and modafinil were effective for sustaining flight performance and pilot mood during extended wakefulness. Results with caffeine were inconsistent.DISCUSSION: Dextroamphetamine and modafinil appear to sustain flight performance and mood during extended wakefulness. However, most studies have used flight simulators and short operation durations. Additional research is needed in realistic settings and during longer duration operations. Caffeines effects were inconsistent across studies, possibly due to differences in study methodology or individual caffeine responses. Despite fatigue being a common problem in civilian aviation as well, only one study in this review included civil aviators. More research should be conducted on the effects of caffeine during civil operations.CONCLUSION: Dextroamphetamine and modafinil appear to be effective fatigue countermeasures but should be further evaluated in more ecologically valid settings. The effects of caffeine are unclear at this time and should continue to be evaluated.Ehlert AM, Wilson PB. Stimulant use as a fatigue countermeasure in aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):190200.

Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Monocyte Recruitment and Cognition During a 24-Hour Simulated Military Operation

Wells, AJ, Varanoske, AN, Coker, NA, Kozlowski, GJ, Frosti, CL, Boffey, D, Harat, I, Jahani, S, Gepner, Y, and Hoffman, JR. Effect of β-alanine supplementation on monocyte recruitment and cognition during a 24-hour simulated military operation. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3042-3054, 2020-Sustained military operations (SUSOPs) result in psychological stress and cognitive dysfunction, which may be related to the recruitment of classical monocytes into the brain. This study examined the effect of beta-alanine (BA) on cognition and monocyte recruitment during a simulated 24-hour SUSOP. Nineteen healthy men ingested 12-g/d BA or placebo for 14 days before an SUSOP. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), C-C chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2), and macrophage-1-antigen (CD11b) expression were assessed through multiplex assay and flow cytometry. Psychological stress and cognition were assessed through Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). A composite measure of cognition (COGcomp) was generated from throughput scores extracted from 7 ANAM cognitive tests. Assessments occurred at baseline (0H), 12 hours (12H), 18 hours (18H), and 24 hours (24H). Significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. No significant effect of BA was noted for any variable (p's > 0.05). The frequency and severity of symptoms of psychological stress increased significantly at 18 and 24H compared with 0 and 12H (p's < 0.05). COGcomp decreased significantly at 18 and 24H compared with 0 and 12H (p's ≤ 0.001). MCP-1 peaked at 18H was significantly lower at 24H compared with 18H but remained elevated at 24H compared with 0H (p's < 0.001). CCR2 expression was significantly lower at 12 (p = 0.031), 18, and 24H (p's < 0.001). CD11b expression was significantly higher at 12H (p = 0.039) and 24H (p's = 0.003). MCP-1 was negatively associated with COGcomp (β = -0.395, p = 0.002, r2 = 0.174). Neither CCR2 or CD11b was related to COGcomp (p's > 0.05). Cognitive dysfunction during SUSOPs is related to serum concentrations of MCP-1 but is not influenced by BA supplementation.