It was announced a couple of weeks ago that Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice had both failed drug tests for their respective bouts at Bellator 149 on February 19. On Monday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation actually released the substances for which they failed. Kimbo failed for the steroid nandrolone. While, Shamrock failed for nandrolone AND methadone.
Methadone is an unusual drug for an athlete to test positive for. The brilliantly named website, Drugs.com defines methadone as, “an opioid medication. Methadone reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing the “high” associated with the drug addiction. Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programs. It is only available from certified pharmacies.”
Clearly, methadone is not a performance enhancer in the traditional sense. After doing extensive research in scholarly medical journals, it appears that methadone also has numerous side effects. Some of these, may have been affecting Shamrock’s recent behavior. Let’s take a look.
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Irritability
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Rage
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Drowsiness
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Thinning of blood
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Bouts of Insanity
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Inability to concentrate and complete simple tasks
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Overly Sensitive Testicles
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – Mood Swings
Ken Shamrock Methadone Side Effects – And Excessive Perspiration
Obviously, methadone has a lot of benefits for many, many people, but everyone should be forewarned; there can be some serious side effects too.
Matt does not think drug addiction or opiods are a joke, but this article is certainly meant to be. He asks that you please take it as such.
It made me quite sad to know Ken was on methadone. I can understand why he would take steroids and it is likely he has taken them throughout his career (Look at him late 90’s WWF as Exhibit A).
Knowing the reasons people take methadone (and it isn’t to fight in an MMA ring), is what makes me sad. Whatever reason Ken is taking it (past heroin addiction, pain killer addictions, etc etc), he needs a lot more help.
I hope people in his life who care about him can convince him to stop fighting. This isn’t just about a 50+ year old guy who can’t retire, he is a 50+ year old guy who has lived a HARD life and been VERY HARD on his body. Anyone who books him to fight again is an enabler and responsible for any negative outcomes.