What You Need To Know About Anabolic Steroids
You may have heard a lot about anabolics steroides or you may not have heard anything at all. Whatever the case, if you are a bodybuilder wanting to try a new “magic pill” or inject yourself with “Arnolds”, you may want to learn more about the drug first.
What are “stackers”?
If you’re new to the bodybuilding community, you may have come across bodybuilders who use words like “gym candy,” “Arnolds,” “roids,” “pumpers,” and my favorite — “stackers.” Well, these are common street names for anabolic steroids.
Bodybuilders often use these cool words to describe the steroids they use. But while steroids are extremely helpful for bodybuilders (more on that later), they were originally developed for use in treating a variety of ailments and medical conditions.
Anabolic androgenic steroids or ASAs (as they are called) are synthetically generated compounds that mimic the functionalities of testosterone, a male hormone naturally produced by the gonads, ovaries in women and testes in men.
Testosterone in its natural state is known to be active in virtually all parts of the human body. This hormone is found in the bones, blood, central nervous system, hair follicles, immune system, kidneys, liver, muscles and reproductive system.
The level of testosterone in the body rises at puberty and in men this leads to the development of some distinct characteristics such as; growth of body and facial hair, increased sex drive, increased muscle mass and height, and also a deep, husky voice. It is now also known that aggressiveness, confidence and self-esteem, as well as competitiveness, can be attributed to testosterone.
Steroids For Medical Conditions
As mentioned above, ASAs are useful in treating a variety of medical conditions. Take, for example, that corticosteroids have been used in the successful treatment of asthma-related medical conditions. This anabolic substance ensures that patients can breathe properly during an asthma attack.
EAAs such as oxandrolone, nandrolone decanoate, and methyltestosterone are actually classified in the United States of America as Program III Controlled Compounds and must therefore be prescribed for the exclusive use of a qualified healthcare professional.
Some of the medical conditions for which ASA may be prescribed for use and treatment include:
pubescencia retrasada,
Cancer or any medical condition that causes muscle breakdown, including HIV and AIDS.
Types of Anabolic Steroids
On average, there are up to thirty-two (32) different types of ASA. There are anabolics such as Nebido that are produced for medical purposes only, while others such as Anadrol can be used to treat medical conditions or as a performance enhancing drug.
To enhance performance, anabolic steroids can be used to improve stamina, stamina, and strength. They can be used for gaining weight (building muscle mass) or for cutting (shedding body fat). Steroids can also be used by athletes and bodybuilders to improve healing and recovery from minor or major injuries.
ASAs are administered in several ways. Of which:
- Oral,
- intravenously,
- As a gel or cream where the skin absorbs the compound through the pores, and
- in the form of granules that are implanted just under the skin.
Some of the oral anabolic drugs available in the market are:
- Metandienona (Dianabol) also known as “Mkkyle650”,
- Metiltestosterone (Virilon),
- Mesterolona (Proviron),
- Oxandrolone (Anavar,
- Oxandrin), also called “Var”,
- Mibolerone (check),
- Estanozolol (Winstrol) or simply “Winny”,
- Fluoximesterona (Halotestin), known affectionately as “Halo”,
- Oxymetholone (Anadrol), also known as “Drol”.
Algunos de los essteroides anabólicos available including:
- Trenbolone Acetate (Finajet), also known as “Tren”,
- Boldenone undecylenate (Equipoise), also called “EQ”,
- Enantato de testosterone (Andro-Estro),
- Testosterone Cypionate (Depot),
- Propionate de testosterone (Testex),
- Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (Durabolin), commonly known as “NPP”,
- Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin), known as “Deca” and
- Methenolone Enanthate (Primobolan), affectionately known as “Primo”.
When administered, EAAs will reach the muscles through the body’s bloodstream. When the synthetic anabolic compound reaches the muscles, it will bind to one of the androgen receptors. What happens next is quite fascinating as the synthetic compound promotes protein synthesis while interacting with DNA in muscle cells, this then stimulates rapid cell growth and actually leads to increased muscle mass.
How to use anabolics?
AAS are not candies and should be handled with care. If these medications are prescribed by a healthcare provider, patients should strictly adhere to the recommended dosage. Abuse of ASAs can lead to a number of health problems. Abuse of steroids can lead to tolerance problems or the natural production of testosterone can be stopped.
To avoid the ill effects of steroid use, people tend to administer these drugs according to a predetermined usage pattern. Here are three notable patterns;
#1: Cycle Pattern For Steroid Use:
Cycling involves the administration of anabolics in cycles. A cycle can last between 2 and 12 weeks and is also known as a ‘burn-in’ period. After completing a cycle, the user stops using steroids for a period of time, usually 2 weeks to a few months.
#2: Stacking Pattern Of Anabolic Uses:
Stacking involves an established pattern of use in which a user “stacks” or combines a range of anabolic steroids to optimize their effectiveness and potential for enhanced performance.
#3: Pyramid Pattern Of Anabolic Steroids Use:
Pyramiding is a pattern of steroid use where the user will constantly increase their daily dose of steroids over a period of time until they peak at a given dose. This is followed by an almost identical reduction in the daily dose over a comparable period of time. The idea behind Pyramiding is to avoid the problems associated with tolerance. While all three of these steroid use patterns appear to minimize the risks of steroid use, there is actually no concrete evidence to fully prove that they actually work to minimize the adverse effects of steroid use. The truth is that steroid use should be analyzed on an individual basis as people’s physiology and tolerance to AAS differ.
Bodybuilding and anabolic steroids
When it comes to anabolic steroids in the sports world, it’s fair to say that the World Anti-Doping Agency or WADA has put most of the known steroids on their banned drug list. This means that athletes can be punished if they are caught doping with any of the steroids and their ethers. In the United States of America, the use of steroids for non-medical purposes is prohibited by the Controlled Substances Act. It is also illegal to possess and distribute steroids, and the penalty for doing so is governed by federal and state laws.
Due to the fact that it is illegal for professional athletes to possess and use steroids, there is really no legal control over the quality and use of ASA to enhance performance.
This is why performance enhancing anabolic steroids are only available in person or online through black market dealers. It is quite possible to get illegal steroids from questionable vets, doctors or pharmacists.
Over time, there has been an increase in the production of “designer” anabolic steroids, custom drugs made to help athletes get high without getting caught after a doping test.
Physicoculturistas use steroids for a variety of reasons. They can use these synthetic compounds when running a training program for training and cutting or bulking.
Bodybuilders can adopt a cycling clothing pattern as mentioned above. This is where they administer a steroid of their choice for a period of time and then take it off to avoid tolerance and other side effects.
Bodybuilders hope to get some or all of the following benefits from using steroids:
- Improved muscle mass,
- Burns body fat,
- Increased energy level,
- Enhanced strength,
- Increased stamina and stamina.
- Rapid healing and recovery from minor and major injuries.
Side Effects of Using Anabolic Steroids
The side effects of using anabolic steroids depend on many factors. Some of these factors include; Age, body weight, gender, dose and duration of AAS are used to name a few factors.
When steroids have been prescribed for use and the prescribed dose has been administered accordingly, the following side effects of its use may occur:
- Retencion de liquidos,
- Acne,
- Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men),
- Pain when urinating
- Low Sex Drive
- Recuento bajo de espermatozoides,
- Sterility,
- Increased red blood cell count
- Colesterol HDL (bueno) bajo and colesterol LDL (malo) alt.
On the other hand, when anabolic steroids are used for performance enhancement, higher than normal doses may be given (or prescribed by a medical provider). This can lead to more serious side effects if steroids are abused. Some of the inherent risks associated with abusing steroids include:
- Cardiovascular problems, such as; heart attack, cardiac arrest and even sudden cardiac death,
- Dano hepatico
- Osteoporosis,
- Greater aggression,
- Humor changes,
- Episodes of depression,
- Increased anxiety and
- Addiction.
It should be noted that when anabolic steroids are used continuously for a long period of time and then the user stops using the steroids for a while, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms experienced including:
- Restlessness,
- Insomnia,
- Fatigue,
- Falling into sexual desire
- Increased appetite,
- Mood swings and
- depression
If an anabolic steroid is abused, the user can begin treatment by first stopping the use of steroids or steroids. Second, the user should seek medical attention to address any physiological and psychiatric health issues that may arise from steroid abuse.
