Anabolic Steroids: What are their Types, Uses, and Effects

Anabolic steroids started back in the 1930s. They weren’t called anabolic steroids, the name was yet to be chosen. Scientists came up with a synthetic hormone (testosterone) to help those who weren’t producing enough testosterone. It proved useful in promoting the growth of testosterone levels and improve sexual functions.

History of Anabolic Steroids

When World War Two broken, scientists were able to figure out that this synthetic testosterone could also build muscles. It helped the malnourished soldiers in bulking up and become stronger. Once the war ended, athletes started using this form of testosterone for boosting their performance while competing. Soviet athletes in 1956 used steroids for performing exceptionally high. As the use of testosterone in athletes rose, an American physician Dr. Ziegler started doing work on creating a selective form of anabolic steroid which we all can find in the market today. It was in the 1970s when buying steroids in the United States become mainstream.

Ban of Steroids

In the year 1975, the Olympic committee banned the use of steroids to improve performance in competition. Performance athletes turned to the black market to buy steroids. Later on, in 1988 when anti-drug abuse introduced a federal regulation of steroids. Penalties were applied on the sale and possession of steroids.

Congress also passed the Anabolic Steroid Enforcement act of 1990 placing a Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. These days, you can readily buy steroids from vendors online.

What Are Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and What They Are Not

It is clear that AAS (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) are synthetically produced testosterone. They possess anabolic and androgenic properties. Since they have masculinizing effects, these steroids are not that popular among women. But that doesn’t mean women can’t use them. They can but only a lower dosage is recommended.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are not:

·         Corticosteroids

These are also steroids but they don’t possess muscle-building properties. They have idiosyncratic effects. Hence, they are prescribed to patients suffering from a medical condition.

·         Androstenedione

These are weekly metabolized into the testosterone. It was easy to buy them without prescription even in the United States. However, in 2004, they were banned by federal law. Their side effects are weaker as compared to that of AAS.

·         Athletic supplements

AAS are not athletic supplements. Why? Because they don’t release testosterone.

How to use Anabolic Steroids?

There are three ways of administering anabolic steroids: injections, pills, and gel tabs. Injectable steroids are injected directly into the bloodstream or muscles. Pills and gel tabs are taken orally just like any other medication. You might also find steroids in the form of creams that must be rubbed onto the skin directly.

Some people ingest one steroid at a time while others stack them up through a process called pyramiding. Steroids consumption for athletic use is different from medical use. In the former, the dosage is 10 or in some cases 100 times higher than what’s prescribed to a person suffering from a medical condition.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Effect You?

Experts say anabolic steroids affect the body in two ways. Every steroid has androgenic effects. They deepen the voice, enlarge male sexual glands, increase facial hair, etc. The second effect is building muscle, improve the size of the organs, and enhance endurance.

The way steroids works is complex. These steroids stimulate different parts of the muscle cells. This stimulation increases protein which is one chemical associated with muscle growth.

Steroids have different effects on males and females. These effects could be short-term and long-term. Let’s have a look at them:

Short Term Effects on Men

·         Your sperm count might reduce

·         Enlargement of sexual glands

·         Heart damage

Long Terms Effects on Men

·         Liver intoxication

·         Enlargement of male breasts

·         Shrinking of gentiles

Short-Term Effects on Women

·         Reduction in breasts

·         Excessive hair growth

·         Acne and oily skin

Long-Term Effects on Women

·         Abnormality in the menstrual cycle

·         Enlarged clitoris

·         Deepening of voice

Main Uses and Benefits of Anabolic Steroids

When you think of anabolic steroids, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? They promote muscle gain, right? This is a common application of steroids but there are many other benefits of these steroids.

Here are the main benefits of taking anabolic steroids

·         Increase in the formation of muscle tissues

·         More protein synthesis

·         Decreased body fat

·         Increased endurance and strength

·         Better recovery from workout and injury

·         Improved bone and mineral density

·         More production of red blood cells

Now let’s throw some light on the benefits of anabolic steroids:

Improved Speed and Power

Athletes are constantly looking for ways to compete. All athletes perform exercises and take nutrition but they are always looking for a way to improve their performance. Here AAS can be of great help.

Plenty of studies prove that anabolic steroids increase muscle mass leading to increase speed and output. You will experience 5 to 20 percent strength gains and 4.5 to 11 pounds of weight gain. These benefits will improve lean body mass.

Athletes are not concerned with improving muscles. They are more concerned with increasing their output and speed up recovery. To avoid getting caught, athletes take a conservative dosage so that the use of steroids does not appear in the drug test.

Increased Muscle Mass and Strength

Anabolic steroids are famous for increasing muscle mass, power, and strength. Athletes in sports such as bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, need muscle mass. The more muscle size, strength, and power you have, the better your overall performance.

The dosage for anabolic steroids in strength ports is liberal. Most federations don’t test for AAS. However, this does not mean you are free to increase the dosage. Anabolic steroids don’t work this way. A higher dosage can result in liver intoxication and other health issues. Some of these may be irreversible.

Many athletes stack the steroids by mixing multiple types. Some even take growth hormone and insulin for better results. Stacking steroids is an art in itself. You have to be certain one steroid complements the other for better results. A carefully crafted steroid cycle is the only way to boost results.

Muscle Gain for Patients with Medical Condition

While some steroids can help cure cancer as well, but a majority of them are used in medicine to compensate for muscle loss. Several health conditions like kidney, liver disease, COPD, and AIDS cause the patient to use muscle mass. When these patients are given steroids, it helps in preserving muscle mass.

The loss of muscle is linked to mortality. Building muscle mass can improve the patients’ therapeutic outcomes and improve their lifespan. However, that does not mean taking AAS is the only way of preserving muscle mass. Doctors may or may not recommended them, depending on the medical condition of the patient. 

The Importance of Taking a Safe Dosage

When you are taking steroids, it’s always recommended to take a well-calculated dosage. This is safer than taking an uncontrolled dosage that may lead to abuse.

A higher dosage always results in side effects. Even if you are on a controlled dosage, anabolic steroids always have some level of risk associated.  Each individual responds to steroids differently. Because of genetic makeup. This is why it’s hard to determine how your body is going to react. While common side effects such as anxiousness, nausea, oily skin are normal, if you experience anything unusual, you must stop taking the particular steroid immediately. Rush to your doctor and let them know everything.

To figure out the right dosage, always start with the lowest dose, and observe its effects. Gradually increase the dosage when you feel like it’s safe. This is the only way to minimize the short-term and long term effects of the steroids.

How to Stay Safe?

Steroid addiction is very common especially when you see results in a short time. In the desire to boost endurance, increase more muscle mass and strength, bodybuilders, performance athletes, and average users increase the dosage which may be harmful in the long run.

This raises the question that how can you stay safe? You can minimize the risks by doing frequent blood work. Get the following lab reports: 

·         Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

These two blood markets are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body. An increase in these levels tends to thicken the blood increasing the chances of a stroke or heart attack.

·         HDL and LDL

These are good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Both must be in the healthy range. Otherwise, it can result in heart disease.

·         ALT and AST

These are markers of liver function if their levels have increased, this means your liver is intoxicated and it could result in dysfunction.

Before starting any regime on altering the natural hormone levels by consuming AASs, it’s best to consult your medical provider.

Conclusion

Anabolic-androgenic steroids have changed the lives of many people. Better endurance, power, strength, and muscle gains can bring confidence like no other. Although these steroids are not available for sale like over-the-counter products, you can buy them online from trusted stores like Teamroids instead of searching for a local steroid supplier from the black market.