How do steroids affect your muscles— and the rest of your body? - Anees Bahji

Summary

Steroids are often used in sports and bodybuilding, but their recreational use carries significant health risks. These synthetic substances, resembling testosterone, can promote muscle growth and fat loss but also cause a range of harmful effects, especially when used at high doses. These include psychiatric issues like aggression, physical effects such as organ damage, and potential for long-term infertility. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, experiencing growth defects and psychiatric issues. While some effects may be reversible, the risks increase with prolonged use. Understanding these dangers is crucial, as the long-term consequences of recreational steroid use remain uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steroids refer to a broad category of molecules with various functions, but in sports, they typically refer to synthetic substances that resemble testosterone.
• 😀 Steroid use in sports started in the 1950s with elite athletes and bodybuilders, but today, most users are individuals seeking a specific appearance rather than athletic performance.
• 😀 Steroids have two main effects: androgenic (masculinizing) and anabolic (growth-promoting), both of which mimic naturally occurring testosterone.
• 😀 Testosterone and synthetic steroids promote the growth of body and facial hair, vocal cord enlargement, increased muscle mass, and bone mass.
• 😀 Recreational steroid users primarily seek anabolic effects to promote muscle growth, protein synthesis, and fat loss.
• 😀 Steroids have medical uses, such as aiding recovery for people with wasting diseases like AIDS and cancer, and for burn victims recovering muscle tissue.
• 😀 High doses of steroids, common in recreational use, can have harmful long-term effects, including psychiatric, cardiovascular, and organ damage.
• 😀 Adolescents are at a higher risk for harmful effects of steroid use, including growth defects and psychiatric issues such as increased aggression (roid rage).
• 😀 Steroid use can lead to harmful side effects like liver damage, cardiovascular problems, infertility, and hormonal imbalances in both males and females.
• 😀 There is evidence that steroid users can become dependent on them, requiring increasingly larger doses over time, which increases the risk of harm.
• 😀 The long-term harms of steroid use are not fully understood, and their reversibility depends on factors like the specific steroid used, the duration of use, and individual health conditions.

Q & A

What are steroids, and how are they classified?

Steroids are a broad category of molecules that share a similar molecular structure but have different functions. In the context of sports, the steroids referred to are a subset that resemble testosterone and have androgenic and anabolic effects.

Who primarily uses steroids today, and why?

While elite athletes and bodybuilders began using steroids in the 1950s, today most steroid users are not competitive athletes. Instead, they are individuals seeking a specific appearance, typically those interested in muscle growth.

What are the main effects of steroids on the body?

Steroids have two main effects: androgenic (masculinizing) and anabolic (growth-promoting). These effects mimic naturally occurring testosterone and promote characteristics such as body and facial hair growth, muscle mass, strength, and bone mass.

How do steroids promote muscle growth?

Steroids promote muscle growth by increasing protein synthesis, which is crucial for building tissues, including muscles. They also block cortisol, a molecule that breaks down proteins, and help in developing muscle over fat while boosting metabolism.

What are some medical uses of steroids?

Steroids are used to treat various medical conditions, such as wasting illnesses like AIDS and certain cancers, where they help maintain muscle mass. They also aid in recovery for burn victims by regenerating lost muscle tissue.

Are steroids safe for recreational use?

No, recreational steroid use is not safe. To achieve muscle growth, users typically take doses much higher than those prescribed for medical conditions, which can lead to serious health risks.

What are some risks of long-term steroid use?

Long-term steroid use can cause harmful effects, including liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, and psychiatric effects such as increased aggression (roid rage). In adolescents, it can cause growth defects due to early bone maturation.

What psychiatric side effects are associated with steroid use?

Common psychiatric side effects include increased impulsivity, aggression (roid rage), mania, and even psychosis. Up to 60% of users experience the more common effects.

What are the androgenic effects of steroids in females?

For females, androgenic effects of steroids can include increased body hair, enlarged clitoris, and permanent voice deepening. These effects are typically unwanted by female users.

How do steroids affect fertility in both males and females?

Steroid use can reduce fertility in both genders. In males, it may lower sperm count, while in females, it can cause missed periods and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome.

Can steroid-related side effects be reversed?

Some side effects of steroid use may be reversible if the user stops taking them. However, the reversibility depends on factors such as the type of steroid, the duration of use, and individual health conditions.

Is steroid dependence a concern?

Yes, steroid dependence is a concern. Users can develop tolerance and require increasing doses over time, which raises the risk of more severe health problems. The longer and higher the dose, the more common and dangerous the effects become.