What is anabolic steroid?
Anabolic steroids are similar to synthetic male sex hormones. They are a kind of chemically synthesized derivatives similar to human androgen testosterone in structure and activity. The role of anabolism can improve the growth of skeletal muscle, while the role of male sex hormones can make male sexual characteristics more obvious. All synthetic androgen steroids are similar in chemical structure to testosterone. These drugs not only have the function of increasing muscle size and strength, but also have the function of androgen. In addition, it can also speed up the recovery after training, which is helpful to increase the training intensity and time. But if you don't carry out systematic strength training at the same time, taking this kind of medicine will not have the effect of increasing muscle.
1930 anabolic steroids were first used to treat hypogonadism (testicles can't produce enough testosterone to meet the needs of growth and sexual function). After that, it is mainly used to treat late puberty, impotence and so on.
In the 1930s, scientists discovered that anabolic steroids were beneficial to the growth of skeletal muscles in animals, then bodybuilders and weightlifters began to take them, and finally many sports began to take anabolic steroids. Nowadays, steroids are widely used in sports, which seriously affects the results and fairness of sports competitions.
Up to now, the United States has developed more than 100 anabolic steroids, most of which are illegal, some are smuggled to the United States, and some are developed and produced by some pharmaceutical factories or secret laboratories.
Common oral steroids
Anadol Kangfulong-oxymetazoline ketone oxymetazoline ketone preparation
Oxandrosterone-Oxandrosterone preparation
Diambo Hercules-methyl dronate preparation
Kanglilong-stannous stanozolol preparation
There are more common steroid injections.
Dika-Duborindeka-Dolebao-Norron decanoate preparation
Durabaridol-norolone phenylpropionate preparation
Nortestosterone nengpu-nortestosterone cyclic valerate testosterone preparation
What is a steroid supplement?
In the United States, people can legally buy dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (androsterone) in pharmacies and health food stores. Although they are not food, they are often used as nutritional supplements because many people think they have steroid effects.
Steroid supplements can be converted into male sex hormones (testosterone). But whether this transformation can produce enough sex hormones or bring about muscle growth is still unknown, so the side effects of steroid supplements are also unknown. But one thing is certain, if taking a large amount of this supplement can improve the level of testosterone in the body, then they will also have the same side effects as anabolic steroids.
Why anabolic steroids are abused?
One of the most important reasons is that it can improve the level of some people in sports competitions. Among competitive bodybuilders, the proportion of steroid abuse is very high! Steroid abuse is also common in other competitions.
One of the main reasons is that steroids can increase muscle circumference or reduce body fat. This mainly refers to people with behavioral syndrome. They have a very distorted view of their bodies. Men will think that his physique is thin, even if these men are well-developed; Women think they are too fat, even though they are slim and attractive enough.
There are also some steroid abusers who have been physically attacked or sexually insulted. These people try to make themselves stronger to protect themselves. In a series of surveys of male weightlifters, it was found that 25% steroid abusers were physically attacked or sexually insulted in childhood. In the survey of female weightlifters, it is found that the amount of steroids taken by women who have been raped is twice that of women who have never had this experience. In addition, these raped women tried their best to carry out physical training afterwards. They think that only a strong body can protect them from physical attacks, because it may make men look threatening and unattractive.
Finally, steroids are rampant among teenagers. These teenagers often drink, drive fast and abuse other illegal drugs. But these teenagers' psychology is normal when they first take illegal drugs.
Abuse methods of anabolic steroids
Some steroids can be taken orally, some can be injected into muscles, and some can be processed into gels or pastes and applied to the skin. The dose of abusers is also amazing, which is 10- 100 times of the medical dose. They usually take 2-3 steroids orally or intramuscularly at the same time, which is considered to be much better than using them alone, but this method has not been scientifically verified. They think that the use of steroids is cyclical, so they often use pyramid method, with a cycle of 6- 12 weeks. At the beginning of the cycle, they use a relatively small dose, and then gradually increase the dose; In the second half cycle, the dose is gradually reduced to zero; Then they start the second cycle, during which they continue to train, but they don't use steroids. They use steroids like this because they believe that this pyramid method can make the body adapt to high-dose use little by little, and the hormone system of the body can have enough time to recover during the period of non-use. However, these methods have not been scientifically verified!
Consequences of abusing anabolic steroids
Abuse of steroids will bring many side effects. Can cause acne, acne, male breast enhancement; If it is serious, it will be life-threatening, such as heart and liver cancer. If you stop using it in time, most side effects can be reversed, but some side effects are permanent!
Most of the data about the side effects of steroids come from case reports. It can be seen from these case reports that the harm of steroids to human health has not been deeply understood. It is concluded from animal research data that people who use steroids have a short life span!
Steroids have severely damaged the hormonal system in the body. Steroids can seriously disrupt the production of normal hormones in the body and cause irreversible or irreversible physical changes. Recoverable physical changes include semen volume and testicular atrophy; Irretrievable physical changes include hermaphroditism and breast enlargement. In the investigation of some male bodybuilders, it is found that due to the destruction of their hormonal system, most people's testicles are shrinking and their breasts are obviously enlarged; The survey of female bodybuilders found that they tend to be masculine, mainly manifested in the smaller breasts, significantly reduced body fat, very rough skin, larger clitoris, lower voice and less body hair. If you continue to use it, some side effects can't be recovered!
Steroids have seriously damaged the skeletal muscle system. Increasing testosterone and other sex hormones can make teenagers grow up very quickly. But hormones will stop the growth of bones to a certain extent, and there will never be a change in height!
Steroids have seriously damaged the cardiovascular system. Steroids can cause some cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Because it can change the level of lipoprotein in the body (lipoprotein plays the role of bringing cholesterol into the blood). In particular, oral steroids can increase the level of low-concentration finger protein, but decrease the level of high-concentration lipoprotein, which will store lipids in arteries and hinder blood circulation. If blood does not reach the heart normally, it will cause a heart attack; If the blood does not reach the brain normally, it will lead to a stroke. In addition, steroids can also cause intravascular thrombosis, which seriously hinders the normal circulation of blood and destroys the normal blood supply of myocardium.
Effects of steroids on liver. Steroids can cause liver tumors and blood cysts. If they rupture, it will cause a lot of internal bleeding.
Effects of steroids on skin. Steroids can cause acne, acne, cellulite and a lot of oil in hair and skin.
Steroids can cause a series of infectious diseases. Many steroid users do not have certain sanitary conditions and injection techniques, or use needles with others. In addition, some steroids are unsanitary in production. These factors will bring great threat to the life of users. Such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In addition, users may suffer from infective endocarditis, and bacteria can cause fatal inflammation and abscess at the injection point.
Effects of steroids on human behavior. According to scientific research, steroid users, especially high-dose users, are usually very irritable and have a strong tendency to violence.
Can anabolic steroids be addictive?
According to this study, it has not been determined whether the use of steroids is addictive, but some studies show that most users will continue to use steroids regardless of their own health problems. At the same time, they spend a lot of time and money on steroids. Once they stop using steroids, they will show symptoms such as weakness, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia and desire to use more steroids. But the most dangerous symptoms after stopping use are depression and strong suicidal tendency. Even if there is no suicidal tendency, some users will be depressed for one year or more after stopping using it.
What method is more effective in treating steroid diseases?
There are few reports about the treatment of steroid diseases. The current knowledge structure is only based on the experience of treating a few steroid users. The doctor will tell them all kinds of reactions that will appear in the early stage of treatment. If the reaction is strong or takes too long, then medication and hospitalization are needed. Some drug treatments aim to restore the hormone system, while others aim to minimize the symptoms of depression and relieve the pain in the head, muscles and joints. There are also some patients who need unconventional psychotherapy and medication to try to alleviate their pain.