What Are Steroids?

They’re among the world’s most controversial drugs. Not Heroin, Ganja, Coke or Crystal Meth, but Anabolic Steroids. Steroids are medical treatments that come in two varieties: Anabolic Steroids and Corticosteroids. These are both synthetic versions of hormones produced naturally in the body but they perform two completely different tasks. Corticosteroids are used by doctors to decrease inflammation. Anabolic Steroids are the familiar term for the synthetic version of the male sex hormone testosterone. Its technical name although, is Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS). “Anabolic referring to muscle-building and Androgenic referred to increased male sexual characteristics,” defined by the National

There are so many different types of steroids. Between 1950 and the early 1960’s thanks to several major companies they created over 100 different types of steroids. Some are more intense than others, for instance the lower class steroids are called dianabol, anadrol, anavar, and so many more. Then the higher class steroids are called Ronicol, furazol, esiclene, oranabol, and so on (“millard

Steroids are a hot topic of debate and controversy in the world of athletes and sports. Steroids fall under the umbrella of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and are a dark cloud that have been hovering over the sports world for a long time. In the world today, steroids are the most relevant in major league baseball. Many baseball players, such as Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, and Mark McGwire, just to name a few, have ruined their reputations because of steroids. There are repercussions for PED use in major league baseball, which have cut down on the substance abuse by players but have nowhere near eliminated the problem.

The definition of steroids is, "man-made derivatives of testosterone, the male hormone. They synthesize protein and help promote muscle growth" (Iole 1). Types of steroids include anabolic and growth hormones. The definition of an anabolic steroid is, "Any drug or harmful substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogen, progestins, and corticostoroids) that promotes muscle growth, any drug or hormonal substance that stimulates the endogenous production of steroids in the human body which acts in the same manner" (Collins 1). Types of anabolic steroids include oral and intramuscular injection. Steroids taken orally have a half-life of several hours, while injected steroids have a half-life of several days (Collins 1). Steroids taken orally usually come on the form of a pill. It takes these water-soluble pills three to four weeks to clear the body. The oil-based injections take six to eight months to leave the body (Cochran 2). After steroids are taken, the steroid molecule bonds to cell receptor sites. Now the steroid molecule can increase protein synthesis, increase nitrogen retention, make metabolic changes, and increase size and strength of skeletal muscle cells. These all lead to bigger and stronger muscles (Collins 1). Some names of popular steroids include Nelvar, Deca-Durabolin, Anavar, Winstrol, Stanozolol, Dianabol, and Anadrol-50 (Nuwer 17).

Sub-point A: According to an article on the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a website filled with information on drugs, last updated on March 2016, anabolic steroids are synthetic (lab made) variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. The proper term for these compounds is anabolic-androgenic steroids. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, and "androgenic" refers to increased male sex characteristics. Some common names used for anabolic steroids are Gear, Juice, Roids, and Stackers.

Steroids are a hormone like substance made by the body. Steroids are closely related to the male prime hormone, testosterone which is the main development of male characteristics such as facial hair, deeper voice and larger muscles. It is bad to use steroids because they cause heart problems, hormonal issues, and you can also become addicted very easily.

The correct term for the steroids being used is anabolic androgenic steroids. Anabolic describes its effect of increasing muscle mass. Androgenic describes its effect on the development of male sexual characteristics. They are commonly referred to as anabolic steroids, “juice,” “‘roids,” or simply steroids. Despite all the negative accusations of using anabolic steroids as a muscle enhancer, the fact is they do work. They increase strength and muscle mass, improve fast twitch muscles, and ultimately allow an athlete to transcend physical limitations and reach a higher level of performance. Texas pitcher Kenny Rodgers said:

Steroids (anabolic) are a drug that was discovered and made by medical scientists in the last 1930’s to help with medical problems. The drug was made to help with many medical problems such as testosterone, growth, sexual functioning, and other medical problems such as helping people with HIV to help grow musical. It also helps with many other diseases. Like any other drug on the market people learn that the drug can be used for many other ways. Steroids can enhance athlete’s performance as well as bodybuilders and is used in almost every sport out there. The use of steroids has become a widespread problem. Steroid use has caused many help problems with the misuse of the drug and has caused the drug to be illegal for people to use them in

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances which increase skeletal muscle growth and increase male hormone production. Steroids are legal only through prescription. They are often prescribed for ailments

     Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances which increase skeletal muscle growth and increase male hormone production. Steroids are legal only through prescription. They are often prescribed

Steroids are laboratory-made versions of the human hormone testosterone, which aids growth of muscles, bones and skin. Testosterone is primarily a male hormone, though females produce trace amounts. Doctors, for medical uses, may legally prescribe steroids. Steroids for muscle building are obtained illegally; they are produced overseas or in clandestine laboratories in the U.S. For all the health risks, research shows steroids do work when it comes to building muscle and power.

Performance enhancing drugs, or steroids, are defined as substances used to improve physical performance. There are many types of steroidal performance enhancers. The first of these performance enhancing drugs are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are also known as androgen steroids, and they are used to increase the muscle mass and strength of a person. A natural anabolic steroid is testosterone, which your body naturally produces. Some athletes take straight testosterone which is another way to boost your athletic performance. This has the same effect as anabolic steroids, but it is natural and can be found within the body. Anabolic steroids are so effective and appealing to athletes, because they allow athletes to recover faster from a

There are a huge amount of different types of steroids; in-fact, there are many of diferent types found in nature. The ones found in nature are not as effective as the ones that are man made. The anabolic steroids are probably the most common type of steroid used among athletes. Within this classification, again we have a lot of different types of steroids; countless forms, alternate forms and derivatives, and there are so many it can, at times, seem very

So what exactly are steroids? Steroids are a synthetic substance closely related to the male sex hormone, testosterone. They are legally prescribed for some medical conditions such as AIDS, some cancers, and anemia. This is a vital medication for people with these sicknesses that make the body weaker. (Adams)A very common misconception is that steroids give you muscle. They do not. It builds protein faster then normal which allows people to work out more often. Scientifically, the human body has millions of cell receptors that accept the drug an in turn tell the body what action to perform. In particular, when

Overall steroids are illegal, and dangerous, but they are still used by many people. Steroids go straight to the bloodstream, quicker if they are injected. When taken orally they first go through the liver. Basically steroids work like this: "A steroid enters the bloodstream and is carried into the muscle cell by diffusion then it binds to a receptor site. (These are certain areas in a cell that are receptive to free-floating molecules in the blood). The connection formed lets the steroid send a message to the receptor site to have some sort of a metabolic change in the cell. This is primarily increased protein synthesis and nitrogen retention" (Taylor 143-145). This leads to increased size and strength in the muscle cell.