Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Anabolic Steroids are taken by athletes to increase muscle mass while decreasing fat rapidly and efficiently. They can push the physiological limits of the muscle, making it bigger, faster and stronger than it can get naturally. Steroids achieve this affect on the body by enhancing the natural process of muscle building. The use of steroids has had a negative impact on the lives and careers of many athletes, causing suspensions, bans, and even the loss of medals and other awards and records earned in international events. A few of the high profile athletes whose lives and careers by their anabolic steroid use include: Barry Bonds, Lyle Alzada, Jose Canseco, Ben Johnson, Chris Benoit, Roger Clemens, Marion Jones, Alex Rodriguez and Lance Armstrong.

National Institute on Drug Abuse . (2006, August ). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from National Institute on Drug Abuse : http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/anabolic-steroid-abuse/what-treatments-are-effective-anabolic-steroid-abuse

Steroids come with three different types of risks/side effects that include: mental health, addictive potential and physical dangers. Steroids have immediate effects on the brain of a user as soon as they begin taking them. As soon as steroids are introduced into the user’s system, they “[bind to the] androgen (male sex hormone) and estrogen (female sex hormone) receptors on the surface of a cell.” Studies have suggested that “steroids may contribute to psychiatric dysfunction, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility” (“NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)”, 2009). These mental side effects also contribute to the growing narcissistic nature of steroid users, where they feel invincible, that no one is better than them, or

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) can change the person’s social behaviors, such as their sexual satiety when they are adolescence and could also make them have aggressive behaviors. This is more likely to happen in an adolescent brain because it is more susceptible than adult brains. (Montalto, Salas-Ramirez, Sisk, 2010). Aggression is also the most reported side effects of the use of steroids in adults and teenagers. Those that used AAS were most likely to be aggressive and act in violent ways when those who were not. This is what the name “roid rage” comes from. (Lumia, McGinnis, 2010). The use in steroid use has increased dramatically in recent years with males. It is mostly used among adolescent males aging from as young as 11 to gain body mass and strength for completive sports. Using of this drug can serve life-long consequences and be permanent. (Lumia,

However, like most things in this world, if there is a positive side to an issue, there is usually a negative lingering in the shadows. When taking performance-enhancing drugs, the user will receive great rewards, but at high risks. There are major mental and physical risks involved when taking a performance-enhancing drug, especially anabolic steroids. According to the Mayo clinical staff, “Men may develop breasts, shrunken testicles, and infertility. Women may develop a deeper voice, an enlarged clitoris, and increased body hair. Both might experience rage, severe acne, infections, and other health issues,” (Clincal Staff, Mayo). It is evident that there are high risks when taking a performance-enhancing drug. These risks come in various forms, from being mild to

One of the most-treasured items a person can have is their health. Consequently, a great deal of money is spent on healthcare on account of people want to be healthy to do the things they enjoy in life. In the article “Steroid Abuse in Today’s Society,” states “There is increasing concern regarding possible serious health problems that are associated with the abuse of steroids, including both short-term and long-term side effects.” ("Steroid Abuse in Today's Society" 3). Unfortunately, there are side effects that will accompany someone who takes steroids. For women and men, steroids can cause masculinizing effects. These symptoms can cause fertility problems in both genders. Fortunately, by stopping the use of drugs can cause a shift in changing men’s health for the better, but for women the symptoms may never go away. Studies have not concluded the long-term effects of steroids, but in the worst cases, death can occur. Performance enhancement drugs are dangerous to an athlete’s

In many states and surrounding countries athletes are using what are labeled as Anabolic Steroids. Anabolic steroids are a synthetic derivative of a naturally produced hormone testosterone, it promotes the growth of muscle (NIDA 2004). This kind of steroid is usually prescribed by doctors to treat patients for conditions such as ones who have delayed puberty or people who have medical problems that causes low amounts of testosterone. Anabolic steroids are prepared in the arrangement of a capsule, shot, ointment, or salve. Though this kind of steroid makes muscles bigger and bones stronger anabolic steroids can cause serious if not fatal effects in the body. Men as well as women using this steroid can have various problems and complications if not monitored. The majority of people who use this steroid are athletes. Athletes want a bigger and better body to improve how well they play a certain sport or how they look, therefore many use and abuse this drug illegally and having life changing consequences later.

Although steroids improve a person’s skill level at their particular sport, these drugs can also have many negative everlasting effects that might not materialize until it’s too late. Anabolic steroid use has been associated with a wide variety of side effects and they range from physically unattractive, such as acne and breast development in men, to serious and life threatening such as heart attacks and liver cancer. Most are reversible if the abuser stops taking the drugs, but others can be permanent (DrugFacts). Long-term use of Anabolic steroids can also have devastating effects on the brain. They can affect some of the same brain

This week’s National Geographic video examine steroids, specifically anabolic steroids, drugs patterned after testosterone that promote masculine changes in the body and increase muscle development (Levinthal, 2013, p. 295). The video looked at steriods and examined important topic such as steroids use in sports, it’s impact negative impact on the body, legality issues with anabolic steroids (it has been illegal and requires prescription since 1990s), it’s medicinal purposes (it is use by doctors to treatment men who loses the ability to make their own testosterone), and the benefits that it does offer to those who use it. It conveys this utilizing example of former athletes, scientists who are examining steroids, and stories of of those steroids have impacted personally by this substance.

Ergogenic aids are believed to be the miracle working products that help athletes or any physically active person, to enhance their performance (Powers, p. 569). An example of an ergogenic aid is anabolic-androgenic steroids, which are known to build and strengthen the muscle. Athletes who chose to take anabolic-androgenic steroids can choose to either take it orally or inject it within their muscle, to try to enhance their performance within their respective sport. The type of performance that the anabolic-androgenic steroids would likely show improvement in are by increased muscle mass and striated muscle speed associated (Hassan et al. p.273). Also, it can be used to increase the strength of the tendons, ligaments and joints, which could help prevent injuries from occurring within athletes. Although anabolic-androgenic steroids sound like a positive steroid to take, it can have a negative effect on athletes’ heart, such as cardiovascular disease, as well as other serious health risk factors, if it is being overused.

    Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a group of hormones, which includes the natural male hormone, testosterone, and a number of synthetic compounds. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, while "androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics. Anabolic effects are basically muscle growth. Androgenic effects produce secondary male sex characteristics like facial hair, body hair, deepening of the voice, and so on. In the 1950's scientists were trying to isolate the muscle building properties without the masculinizing effects. This lead to the development of synthetic anabolic steroids.

However, steroids should remain illegal because they physically deteriorate the whole body system. When injected one risks the chances of developing hematoma and contracting AIDS. In women steroids contribute to the growth of facial hair, enlargements of the clitoris, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. In men steroids cause shrinkage of the testicles, decrease in sperm count, sterility, impotence, prostate enlargement and growth of female breast. In both men and women hair loss, liver ailments, acne, atherosierosis and cancer are very common. This dangerous drug shortens the life span up to twenty years and increases the chance of obtaining diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. The side effects and reactions from enduring anabolic steroids are endless.

In today’s society, athletes are revered as heroes. There is immense pressure to be the best. Athletes are willing to do whatever it takes to gain an edge, even if it means compromising their health. For almost three decades, athletes have been supplementing their strength program with anabolic steroids to enhance their performance. To be sure, anabolic steroids are effective supplements to strength training programs, but there is no doubt that the consequences can be deleterious.

In today’s society in athletics, muscle mass and strength seem more important than in years past. It is believed that many athletes use anabolic steroids to increase their muscle mass and also their strength. Anabolic steroids are a group of synthetic hormones that promote the storage of proteins and the growth of tissue, sometimes used by athletes to increase muscle size and strength. Before the mid 1970’s the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) was used mainly by highly trained athletes especially those involved in weight training. Since then other athletes including those involved in recreational sports and non-competitive sports have started using the steroids. Steroids are also being used by many school age children

“Some athletes take a form of steroids — known as anabolic-androgen steroids or just anabolic steroids — to increase their muscle mass and strength. The main anabolic steroid hormone produced by your body is testosterone. Testosterone has many risks some of them are Anabolic effects promote muscle building. Androgenic effects male traits, such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Men get some major risks from taking this type of drug like some are prominent breasts Baldness, Shrunken testicles, Infertility, and Impotence.”(Mayo Clinic)