Has it ever crossed your mind to find out how those bulky weightlifters you see on TV or around get so big? Do you feel there’s something more to their looks than just the natural physique they showoff? Well, there are two sides to it and that’s what we intend to explain in this article.
While some of them may have developed big muscles through a dedicated regimen of good diet and weightlifting, some others resort to exploring the option of making use of steroids illegally.
Steroids also known as anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) are substances that are similar to the male sexual hormone (testosterone) and they have legitimate medical uses.
There are medical situations that require doctors to prescribe anabolic steroids especially for patients with certain types of anemia, and men who do not produce sufficient testosterone without assistance.
In this instance, the patient is properly examined by a doctor to ascertain their medical condition before a prescription is made. There are medical doctors who are specialists in this field. You can also check out anabolicshealth to get some helpful resource on how to use them.
We have also compiled some important facts on anabolic steroids and the harmful effects users may experience in the course of using them.
Why Do People Use Anabolic Steroids?
Steroids are known to increase muscle mass when combined with weight training. The goal of non-athlete weightlifters who use AAS is usually to improve their appearance. The use of AAS is often associated with a kind of dysmorphic disorder in the male body known as muscle dysmorphism, which is a feeling of concern over insufficient muscle size.
Some users have also been reported to use anabolic steroids to boost self-confidence, usually because they are at a point where they can no longer grow bigger muscles through weightlifting alone.
Increasing muscle mass can also increase strength. This in in turn improves performance in some strength-dependent sports such as shot-put throwing, weightlifting, and soccer. They are believed to give the users an edge over their opponents during games hence some sportsmen use them to boost performance.
Anabolic steroid users also report that their muscles recover more quickly after intense muscle tension and injury.
You can check here to read more about why people use AAS.
Common Steroids Available for Use
The following are common AAS available for use:
1. Dianabol
This type helps build muscles quickly and that is why most bodybuilders use it. It was introduced in the 1960’s and because of its effectiveness, it is regularly used by self-confident people.
2. Nandrolone
These steroids are known for their effectiveness in increasing muscle mass. The anabolic effect of Nandrolone is twice that of the testosterone AAS although the androgenic effect is five times lesser than testosterone steroid.
3. Testosterone
Testosterone AAS is common because of its fast rate of building muscles. It can be found in retail stores that sell drugs and it comes in different esters.
4. Winstrol
Winthrop Laboratory developed this steroid in 1962. Winstrol is commonly used by athletes, boxers and soccer players. This is due to the fact that it helps them build lean muscles while losing weight. It achieves this by increasing red blood cells in the body and reducing the rate at which the body retains water.
5. Boldenon
This type of AAS was first created for animal use but it is now common among athletes because it gives them a small physique. It is also used to increase appetite. By implication, if you take boldenone to gain more muscle, you will also gain weight.
Usage
Some users of steroids pop pills while others use hypodermic needles to inject steroids into muscles. The method each user selects is dependent on what they perceive to be most effective.
Below are some of the methods most users adopt:
1. Cycling
This method involves the intake of two or more types of steroids at once with the aim of getting bigger than the natural form. Some abusers may take their doses within 6 to 12 weeks cycles for more rapid results.
2. Pyramiding
This method is adopted by users when they want to gradually increase the frequency of intake of steroids. When the dosage reaches its peak, the user gradually reduces it to the lowest point.
3. Plateauing
This method involves the substitution with another steroid in a bid to avoid any tolerance that may be developed in the course of taking the drugs.
Health Effects of Steroids
The following are some of the common side effects of AAS:
Hormonal Imbalance
For teenagers, balancing of hormones is important as they are actively involved in the overall development of a boy’s masculine traits and a girl’s feminine traits. When a user abuses steroids, there may be cases of gender mix-ups. In this instance, guys can encounter testicles that are shrunken and low sperm count. They may also start developing breasts. This condition is known as gynecomastia.
For girls, they can become more physically built in a masculine form with deep voices and the growth of excessive body hair. This condition also causes their breast size to decrease.
Stunted Growth
Teenagers who are in the habit of abusing steroids before adolescence stand the risk of staying short and not getting to the full adult height. This is because the body is conditioned to stop growing after the stage of puberty. When the hormone levels get to a certain level, the human body assumes it has already undergone puberty and the bones get the communication to quit growing too fast.
Teens that find themselves in this situation and want to grow taller naturally can check here for tips: https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/teens/your-first/how-to-get-taller-faster.
Destruction of Organs and Muscles
When Steroids are taken, they find their way around various organs and muscles. When this happens, they end up affecting individual cells and causing them to create proteins. Unfortunately, these proteins are harmful to the body.
For instance, the liver can grow tumors which may lead to cancer. Abusers of AAS can also develop a condition called peliosis hepatis. This condition causes cysts filled with blood to crop up on the liver. Additionally, both the cysts ad tumors can rupture and lead to internal bleeding.
AAS are not good for the heart either. Abusing it can lead to stroke and heart attacks even in young athletes. This is how it works; using AAS can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits in the arteries interfere with blood flow.
When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can lead to heart attack. Also, when blood flow to the brain is blocked, it can lead to a stroke.
In the bid to become bulky artificially through the use of steroids, teenagers are at risk of exposing themselves to conditions more severe than cardiovascular and liver diseases. Steroids can make the immune system weak, and when this happens, the body becomes susceptible to diseases.
This is because the immune system is responsible for fighting germs and diseases that are harmful to the body.
Furthermore, by injecting steroids with needles, teenagers stand the risk of adding HIV and hepatitis B, and C to their list of health threats. Many abusers are in the habit of sharing non-sterile “products” or drug syringes that can easily spread viral infections.
Extremities in Mood
AAS have the capacity to mess with the heads of users. One of the dangerous effects of this drug is the homicidal rage which it can transmit to the brain. People who were hitherto non-violent have been found to commit murder when they are under the control of the synthetic hormones.
The limbic system of the human brain is responsible for balancing emotions and moods. AAS are known to act on this system to cause depression and irritability. They can also cause delusions, mania, rage or violent aggression.
Painful Urination
Most users of steroids complain about the pains they experience when urinating. This is because AAS can affect the functionality of the human urinary tract. Painful urination is a symptom of urinary tract infection which happens as a result of bacterial infection or inflammation of the urinary tract – the bladder, kidney, ureters and urethra.
Sex Drive
Steroids can affect the sex drive of users. Some users have complained of low libido as a result of constant use of these drugs. It is not uncommon to see bulky guys who are more dedicated to their gym regimen than they want to get under the sheets. This has raised questions over the utilization of their build in satisfying the sexual needs of their partners.
Effective Treatments for Anabolic Steroids Misuse
Below are some methods that have proven to be effective in the treatment of anabolic steroid misuse:-
Psychological therapies
Most abusers of AAS do not do it intentionally. It often starts with a desire to look good before it gets to the level where they can no longer control the usage. At this point, addiction isn’t the only challenge they face as their muscles may also be affected and this can result in a lot of complications.
Therapy is an effective tool used in guiding the abusers on the necessary steps to take that will aid their decision to quit. Medications can also be given in the course of this session for muscle dysmorphia.
Endocrine Therapies
This is a type of hormone therapy which blocks, adds or removes chemicals from the body to treat diseases. They are used to return full functionality in the organs of those suffering from hypogonadism. Endocrine therapies are also effective in reducing the symptoms of depression which may come up as a result of drug abuse.
Psychosocial and Pharmacological Treatments
These treatments are for patients found to be dependent on oploids. Although oploids are effective in reducing dependence on anabolic steroids, users need to be guided on how to properly adapt to social interactions and how to fit in while using the medication.
Before using this method of treatment for drug abusers, their medical history should be checked to properly ascertain the extent of abuse and best medical approach to take at a given time.
Antidepressants
These drugs are effective for patients who are unresponsive to endocrine therapies. Antidepressants can be administered to patients who turn violent when they are depressed as a result of prolonged abuse. However, this should also be closely monitored so they do not end up abusing it and causing more harm to their body.
You can check this article to read more about antidepressants and how to use them.
AAS Withdrawal and Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms in AAS are caused by a sharp drop in the level of testosterone in the body. Symptoms continue until the body begins to normalize testosterone production. AAS withdrawal symptoms are usually the opposite of steroid effects.
Common symptoms associated with withdrawal of AAS include Anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, lack of concentration, fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pains, nausea and Diarrhea.
Natural ways to Keep Testosterone Levels in their Best Condition:
The following are natural ways to keep the testosterone at an optimal level.
- Find the right supplement for your diet and fitness goals.
- Keep your body fat percentage below 20%. A higher body fat value causes a lower test score.
- Train. Both strength training and high-intensity training have been shown to increase testosterone.
- Meet your daily needs for zinc and vitamin D as they both play an important role in the production of testosterone in the body.
- Eat healthy fats from foods such as oil, nuts, eggs, meat and avocado.
- Eat leucine-rich protein from meat, nuts, dairy products, and whey protein.
Conclusion
There are many misconceptions about what steroids are, the dangers associated with them, and the role they play in bodybuilding. It is true that AAS make consumers big, but the health risks are very high. While the intake of steroids may swell up the biceps and square balloons, these results are only from the outside as they can cause a lot of damages to human internal organs.
This article took an in-depth look at AAS and explains everything you need to know about the topic.