Steriods (Steroids)

steriods



You are at this page because you typed steriods into a search engine. The correct word is steroids but it is a common mistake. We will use both versions on this page.



Steroids (or anabolics) are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones that promote muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics. They come in tablet, liquid, cream and gel forms.

They do work to make you more muscular but you still need to put the work in. You can’t just take steroids (steriods) and hope you will look like Arnie. You have to train seriously as well.

There are advantages to them and disadvantages

steroids

A brief history

Testosterone, the key male hormone, was first synthesized in 1936 and by the 1950’s the soviets were using it heavily in weight lifting. The Americans followed suit and in 1956 the Ciba company developed ‘Dianabol’ (Methandrostenolone).

Initially, steroids found appeal amongst weight-lifters, footballers, body-builders and others who played sports where strength and body mass were an advantage.

In the 1960’s the East Germans joined the club and won a swathe of medals in many sports and numerous international events Steriods spread through the sport’s world in the 70’s because they enhance performance, build muscle faster and reduce and repair injuries.

In the 1980’s they spread to non-athletes who wanted to gain muscle mass to look good.

The US Congress enacted the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and they became a controlled dangerous substance. Although they are illegal they are still widely used in professional sports, mainly football and baseball, as well as body building.


baseball steroids

football steroids




It would be virtually impossible to compete today in an Olympia or Universe competition without the use of anabolic steriods since the gains being made are far beyond what a natural competitor can usually achieve.

Benefits

  • Your body weight (males) may increase by 2–5 kg as a result of short term use (i.e. less than 10 weeks)
  • They stimulate the creation of muscle cells and increase strength
  • Increase appetite, bone growth and protein synthesis
  • Build muscle faster especially if part of a weight training programme
  • Preserve and increase muscle mass in AIDS and cancer patients
  • Can improve recovery time from injury
  • Can improve libido and uplift mood
  • May also be useful for anorexics



Negatives

Steriods (steroids) have been associated with a number of adverse side-effects including:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased LDL cholesterol levels
  • Mood changes including depression
  • Accelerating the rate of premature baldness
  • Liver damage
  • Testicular atrophy (i.e. your balls shrivel up) leading to decreased production of sperm
  • Increased aggression
  • Severe acne
  • Breast development in men
However, these adverse effects are dependent on the dosage used.

Personal experience

To experience the impact of Steriods on muscle mass and mood I used steriods for a two month period a few years ago. They certainly work to build muscle mass as I started to get comments from friends about how good my body was looking and started to generate sexual interest from female friends who had never expressed any interest previously.

I used:

  • Deca-durabolin (mass producer helps synthesizes proteins so you rebuild and recuperate faster) with 2 injections a week starting with 0.5 mls each and then cycled up to 1 ml twice a week),
  • Sustanon 250 (testosterone booster, maintains hardness of muscle) with 1 injection every 10-14 days),and
  • Stanazol 1.5 ml twice a week to mobilise fat and burn it up.


WARNING: This information on dosage is for information purposes only. If you choose to use steroids be aware that they are illegal in many places and can be dangerous. Consult a doctor and he may prescribe Sustanon 250 to raise your testosterone levels and if so will administer it safely. Do not use them without medical advice.




I also felt good and my mood was consistently up and I gained about 3kg of muscle which was a lot for me as a ‘hardgainer’. However, it was just an experiment and I ceased using anabolic steroids after the two month trial and have never used them since. The downside was that after a few weeks of non-use I started to develop mood swings and depression. At first I wasn’t sure why until a friend of mine who had often used steriods in the past told me that it was a common experience when you came off them.

I also continued to train for awhile but after my trainer, Mannie Hamilton (Mr. Fitness Universe who never used steroids) died at 61 I quit training for a year or so and lost the gains I had made. I am told you retain about 25% of the gains if you keep training after you quit the drugs but I can't say for sure if that is true.

Do they work to put on muscle mass? Yes. Are they worth it? For me, No. However, you will have to make up your own mind. It may seem a strange thing to say but I really have no interest in drugs. I see them as crutches and only used steroids to gain insight into why people use them and to see if they were as effective as claimed. I didn't even use them for the full cycle, quitting with about 2 weeks to go.

They will help you gain muscle faster but you can put on muscle a bit slower without them. I gained 3kg in 2 months with steroids but I have gained 3kg in 3 months through diet and exerciset.

They will cost you money and there is a possibility of adverse side effects as well. They are also illegal and you risk jail if buying them.

You don’t need the level of muscles that bodybuilding champions have acquired. It is not attractive to the majority of women (see my perfect male body page to find out why) and it is a full-time occupation getting to an Olympia level of musculature. There are better ways to spend a life.

steroids

This photo has of course been photo-shopped and exaggerates the effect of steroids
but it does illustrate the point that more muscle does not necessarily look better

You can impress women and other men with a much lower level of muscular development than is achieved with Steroids and increase your self esteem and sense of well being without the artificial dependence on an illegal drug.

If you are past 40 years of age and your testosterone levels are dropping you may be able to get your doctor to prescribe you with anabolics to compensate for the testosterone loss. Human growth hormone also has potential for life extension and feeling good. It is especially useful in those over the age of 50 but do your research.

If you are losing weight due to cancer or HIV/AIDS then steroids are worth a try and have been used successfully in the past.

If you want to use anabolics for building your body then that is up to you but I suggest you go natural, train hard and enjoy your life. Check out my perfect male body page to see what level of muscle you really need. Good luck.





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