Steroids

Many men who are heavily involved in fitness and bodybuilding start looking for alternative methods to increase their gains when they reach a plateau. Oftentimes, this means looking into taking steroids, as this is commonly thought to be the fastest way to increase lean muscle mass. 

Before 1935, there was no evidence that steroids could act as anabolic, muscle-enhancing products. That year, two scientists discovered that giving dogs a steroid injection caused their muscle mass to increase significantly. By the late 1940s, weightlifters had reportedly started experimenting with the drugs to see how they could enhance their progress in the gym.

Over the years, anabolic steroids have had many medical uses, they can be used to treat certain medical conditions, such as AIDS-related weight loss and in hormone replacement therapy for men with low levels of testosterone.

how they work

Anabolic steroids promote faster recovery of muscle tissues and increased protein synthesis. They provide the body with the male sex hormone testosterone, which is primarily responsible for male growth and development. Thus, anabolic steroids lead to an increase in muscle mass and strength. Since it is an anabolic substance, it also opposes any catabolic reactions that are associated with a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat.

How steroids are taken and their possible side effects…

Many steroid users report greater feelings of euphoria, increased aggressiveness and a heightened tolerance to stress. These effects allow them to train more intensely for a longer period of time.

how they’re taken

Steroids are often taken in cycles; the length of each cycle is determined by how experienced the user is and the type of steroid he is taking. Some can be as short as four weeks, while others can last up to 20 weeks. After a cycle is completed, the user stops for a certain period before starting again.

Some also choose to use more than one type of steroid at once, which is called ”stacking.” It is believed that certain steroids “complement” each other, and that combining them in this way will increase their effectiveness.

Steroids are most commonly injected into the muscle with a needle, but they also come in the form of pills, creams and transdermal patches. 

side effects of steroids

Some of the side effects you may see while taking steroids include:

• Acne
• Gynecomastia (breast development in males)
• Liver damage
• High blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and stroke
• An increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol, which can lead to cardiovascular disease
• Baldness in genetically predisposed men
• Prostate enlargement
• Testicular atrophy (a decrease in the size of the testicles)
• Stunted growth in adolescents who haven’t completed their physical development

think twice

If you are considering taking steroids, make sure you weigh the pros and the cons beforehand. Not only can the side effects be dangerous, but not everyone who takes steroids manages to maintain their gains. You have to decide if that’s a risk worth taking.