The Use and Abuse of Anabolic Steroids

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The use and abuse of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids
In a world of increasingly competitive sports, many collegiate and professional athletes test positive for the abuse of illegal performance enhancing drugs. A common drug used is known as the Anabolic-Androgenic steroid. The proper use of AAS when administered by health officials can help individuals with particular health conditions and hormone deficiencies. When an individual takes higher levels of AAS then what the body may require naturally, serious physical and psychological side effects may occur. In this research paper I will be explaining the short and long term effects on the body of abusing this steroid.
Steroids occur naturally in our bodies. The major anabolic steroid found in our bodies is testosterone. (1) AAS is derived synthetically from testosterone. (3) Testosterone is the main sex hormone in males and is responsible for the growth effects during the years of male adolescence and into later years of adulthood. Nearly every cell in the body has proteins that act as receptors for AAS. Therefore the anabolic and androgenic response in the body is determined by the location and type of the cells and the nature of the steroid. (7) This hormone has two major effects on one’s body. The Anabolic effect promotes muscle growth by increasing the rate of protein synthesis within each cell. The Androgenic effects in testosterone are primarily responsible for traits in males such as the deepening of one's voice and the growth of facial hair. (1)
AAS were designed originally to provide greater tissue building capabilities and protein synthesis with minimal effects of masculinizing. There are close to 60 available distinctive AAS that are all slightly different in their che...

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...re acne lesions. These contain larger amounts of of skin lipids such as free fatty acids and cholesterol. Heart problems, liver tumors, and high blood pressure, and a decrease in libido are also physical side effects.
Some psychological side effects in men and women include major depression, and mood swings, mania and hypomania (experiencing an extremely high even euphoric state then in contrast experiencing an extreme low or depressed state, similar to bipolar disorder).(6) Users may also become addicted to the substance.(1)
The effects are clear. Though temporary improvements in muscle mass and overall athletic ability may be an effect of abusing AAS, it is not a worthwhile endeavor. While these hormones can be very useful to improve the quality of health in some very specific cases, the abuse of such substances can cause serious physical and psychological damage.

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