Pot Belge
Encyclopedia
Pot Belge is a French term that is used to describe a mixture of drugs illegally used by cyclists. It can be translated as "Belgian mix"
The term is commonly used to describe a mixture of drugs, variously constituted from cocaine
, heroin, caffeine
, amphetamines, and other analgesics. N.B. the use of the French word "pot" is not a reference to cannabis
, and this drug is not normally associated with Pot Belge . A French reference also lists morphine in the mix, and notes that it can also be called "insane person mix," though it's unclear whether this refers to the potential results of its use, or the suggestion that "you have to be crazy to take it."
The mixture has become widely associated with the world of professional cycling where it was used for many years, before the institution of highly regulated testing . There are suggestions that its use among amateur participants has been on the increase as both a recreational and a (relatively cheap) performance enhancing drug .
The use of Pot Belge became more widely known during the 2006 Bordeaux-based trial following 2004's "Cahors affair". Several well-known professional cyclists were mentioned during the testimony of defendants.
The term is commonly used to describe a mixture of drugs, variously constituted from cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, heroin, caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
, amphetamines, and other analgesics. N.B. the use of the French word "pot" is not a reference to cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
, and this drug is not normally associated with Pot Belge . A French reference also lists morphine in the mix, and notes that it can also be called "insane person mix," though it's unclear whether this refers to the potential results of its use, or the suggestion that "you have to be crazy to take it."
The mixture has become widely associated with the world of professional cycling where it was used for many years, before the institution of highly regulated testing . There are suggestions that its use among amateur participants has been on the increase as both a recreational and a (relatively cheap) performance enhancing drug .
The use of Pot Belge became more widely known during the 2006 Bordeaux-based trial following 2004's "Cahors affair". Several well-known professional cyclists were mentioned during the testimony of defendants.