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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.