The Effects Of Anabolic Steroids

The Effects of Anabolic Steroids


     You've seen them, and you thought you knew what was going on.  The

muscle-heads at the gym, the all-star basketball player, the amazing offensive

tackle, and the lightning fast swimmer.  All of them used steroids, and you knew

it.  They were all unnaturally strong, and looked like gods.  But what you could

not see is the terrible side effects which come through the use of anabolic

steroids.  These powerful drugs have both positive and negative results from

their use.  Along with increased strength and size, users of steroids suffer

from ailments like cancer, bad acne, hair loss, damaged organs and intense mood

swings.

     Anabolic steroids are a group of muscle building chemicals, which are

synthetic versions of the male hormone, testosterone.  Developed in 1935 they

were prescribed to aid in muscle and tissue repair by those who had undergone

surgery or had degenerative diseases.  Now they are used by athletes and

patients alike.  But they are illegal to use if not prescribed by a physician,

and have been banned by nearly all athletic organizations, both professional and

amateur.

     When you think of someone who uses steroids you typically picture

someone who is massive, and whose muscle mass is very well defined.  A picture

comes to mind of the giant body builder, who is so big he can't touch his back

because his biceps are in the way, but he can manage to bench press his car.

The possible growth and development is amazing.  With much less work necessary,

the results can be astounding.  Athletes can get bigger, stronger and faster,

with less effort than previous.  The limits of an athletes potential with

steroids seem to be unbounded. These are the positive aspects to the use of

steroids.  One study showed that as much as ten pounds of lean muscle mass could

be gained by a mature adult using steroids over a years period.  The resulting

size and strength increase would be greater more easily attained than without

use of steroids.(Taylor pg 45)  Also, the type of body structure that may males

are looking for can be easily obtained through the use of steroids.  Large

pectoral muscles, as well and big biceps and a well defined stomach  are what

many teenage users are after. Society dictates what the current trends are, and

our society has dictated that athletic looking men (and women) are in.  But not

everyone can be so fortunate to have a beautiful body with their given gene pool.

 So through the use of steroids, people can attain the wonderful body that they

so desire.  One ex-user commented that after he had used steroids and bulked up,

he was much more popular with the females, and got much more respect from his

male peers.(Deacon pg 52) Steroids are also used for therapeutic applications

as well, although their use here is much less well known.  Steroids can be used

to promote healing in patients who have recently undergone surgery, they also

improve the appetite and increase protein production.  They also help protect

blood for producing bone marrow after radiation therapy.  Also, steroids can be

used
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