Anabolic Steroids - Research Paper Example

?Anabolic Steroids and number Introduction Anabolic steroid is a compound, a group of synthetic hormones; usually derived from testosterone, that can produce numerous physiological effects including increased protein synthesis, muscle mass, strength, appetite and bone growth, Andy and Beaker (2010). When used in excessive doses, anabolic steroid is known to cause numerous side effects, including high blood pressure, increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and hepatotoxicity among others (Andy and Beaker, 2010). There is a wide apprehension that “anabolic steroid is a dangerous and deadly drug. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether usage of anabolic steroid does offer matching utility” p. (34). Anabolic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. Medical uses of anabolic steroids include some hormone problems in men, late puberty and muscle loss from some diseases, Camacho and Perez-Quiroz (2002). Bodybuilders and athletes often use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance. But using them this way is not legal or safe. “Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked with many health problems”. They range from “unattractive to life threatening and include: Acne and cysts, Breast growth and shrinking of testicles in men, Voice deepening and growth of body hair in women, Heart problems, including heart attack, Liver disease, including cancer and Aggressive behavior” (Camacho and Perez-Quiroz, 2002). History of Anabolic Steroids Use of anabolic steroids may go back as far as ancient Greece.  Here it is believed that they used natural substances that promoted both androgenic and anabolic effects.  Modern advances in anabolic steroids, however, began in Germany when scientists in the 1930's were looking for ways to increase the abilities of national athletes, Andy and Beaker (2010).  Up until the 1980's many people thought that the effects of a placebo effect, but there were many inconsistencies in the studies. In 1990, the “United States placed Anabolic Steroids on the list of controlled substances.  It was around this time that many drug companies in the United States stopped producing anabolic steroids (or at least stopped marketing them in the United States)” (p. 35).  An effect of this was an emergence of counterfeit anabolic steroids – some of which were extremely harmful. While anabolic steroids are controlled in the United States and very strictly regulated in other countries, they are readily available in some countries (including Mexico and Germany).  As with some “other illegal drugs, there is a strong movement in the United States to remove the regulations on anabolic steroids” (Andy and Beaker, 2010). Administration of Anabolic Steroids According to Camacho and Perez-Quiroz (2002), anabolic steroids can be administered in oral, inject able forms.  “Oral forms are very convenient, but they often need to be chemically altered so that it reaches the bloodstream before the liver breaks it down”.  Oral anabolic steroids can often be very hard on the liver and may even cause hepatotoxicity when taken in high doses or for long periods of time.  Inject able anabolic steroids are often “put right into the muscle tissue and are able forms come in creams, gels or patches that are administered to the skin”(Camacho and Perez-Quiroz, 2002). Medical Uses of Anabolic Steroids According to Andy and Beaker (2010), anabolic steroids have been researched for medicinal purposes since the middle of the twentieth century.  The most popular medical use for steroids is to help counter the effects of chronic wasting by stimulating appetite and increasing muscle mass.  However, they have many different and successful uses (Andy and Beaker, 2010).  These include the following: •    Bone Marrow Stimulation:  “Anabolic steroids are now being replaced by synthetic proteins. •    Growth Stimulation:  Since the 1980's use of anabolic steroids has been replaced with growth hormones instead”. •    Hormone Replacement Therapy: This helps men with low levels of natural testosterone. •    Puberty Induction: While “testosterone is most widely used, anabolic steroids have been used to help boys who have extreme delays in the onset of puberty” (p. 35-36). Is it safe to take the natural steroids sold at health food stores? So-called "natural" steroids, which are sold as over-the-counter supplements at many health food stores, aren't safe, Camacho and Perez-Quiroz (2002). Because natural steroids contain "natural" substances that aren't chemically altered, they can be marketed as dietary supplements — which are “subject to limited regulation by the Food and Drug Administration”. Still, they can have the same harmful effects as synthetic steroids. Although prescription steroids have legitimate medical uses, it's important to remember that steroids of any type have significant risks. When used inappropriately, steroids can cause various long-lasting or irreversible health problems, including: Mood swings, aggression and violent behavior; Acne; Baldness; Sexual dysfunction or infertility; Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol; Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol; High blood pressure and Liver damage (Camacho and Perez-Quiroz, 2002). Risks involved Many athletes take anabolic steroids at doses that are much higher than those prescribed for medical reasons, and most of what is known about the drugs' effects on athletes comes from observing users, Andy and Beaker (2010). It is impossible for researchers to design studies that would accurately test the effects of large doses of steroids on athletes, because giving participants such high doses would be unethical. This means that the effects of taking anabolic steroids at very high doses haven't been well studied (Andy and Beaker, 2010). According to Andy and Beaker (2010), anabolic steroids come with serious physical side effects as well. Men may develop: Prominent breasts Baldness Shrunken testicles Infertility Women may develop: A deeper voice An enlarged clitoris Increased body hair Baldness Both men and women might experience: Severe acne Increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture Liver abnormalities and tumors Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) Hypertension Heart and circulatory problems Suppression of “the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis” Prostate gland enlargement Aggressive behaviors, rage or violence Psychiatric disorders, such as depression Drug dependence Infections or diseases such as HIV or hepatitis if you're injecting the drugs “Inhibited growth and development, and risk of future health problems in teenagers” (p. 37). Minimizing the Effects of Anabolic Steroids There are many ways to decrease the negative side effects of using anabolic steroids and athletes and bodybuilders often do what they can because of their increased use of the substances, Camacho and Perez-Quiroz (2002).  Since some anabolic steroids will convert to estrogen, many people take estrogen inhibitors with their steroid cycles.  To reduce the effects of the suppression of natural testosterone production in the body, many people also use a post-cycle therapy to reduce the effects of a temporary reduction of testosterone in the body.  Additionally, it's also important to have frequent blood work to keep an eye on possible liver damage, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels (Camacho and Perez-Quiroz, 2002). Controlled Substances and Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids are a controlled substance.  It's possible to find anabolic steroids on the "black market"(Andy and Beaker, 2010).  These “steroids are often counterfeit or else have been originally produced for treatments in veterinary medicine (the biggest concern here is that they may not have been kept as sterile as they should have)” (P. 45). References Andy, A., G. Beaker (2010), “Anabolic Steroids: An Ethnographic Approach, Journal of American Drug Scene, forthcoming. Camacho, M., Perez-Quiroz, G., (2002), Proof of the effect of testosterone on skeletal muscle, Journal of Endocrinology 117, 61-80 Read More