Ashley Frias

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Professor Gustavo Ibarra

Section 5
11/22/2016

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids, is a synthetic substance that has a similar effect as the

hormone testosterone. To better understand the drug it is important to understand the hormone.
Testosterone is a natural steroid hormone in the body that is derived from cholesterol. This
hormone has an important role in the development of a male and their reproductive system. Even
though it is most notably known as a male hormone, testosterone is found in both women and
men. Testosterone also signals the brain for new blood cells to keep both muscles and bones to
stay strong.
"When a steroid is consumed either orally or via injection, it travels to the androgen
receptors located within the various cells. This connection activates the hormone receptor
creating a messenger RNA, which signals the DNA to construct specific proteins. These proteins
travel throughout the body eliciting the anabolic/growth responses." This information that I
found from the association against steroid use.
There are two types of natural testosterone that happens in the body, the first one is
Catabolic Steroids, this steroid breaks down body tissue and helps the control of inflammation or
pain in the body. The second one is Anabolic Steroids, this builds the body tissue and helps to
strengthen muscle mass. With Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid drug it acts like the natural
testosterone that is the Anabolic steroid affect, it acts to strengthen muscle mass.
Even though there is a boost in physical appearance it comes with a high price on the
effects of the body of abusers. There are several effects the steroids have on the body, including

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mental and health problems; Some short-term effects include, mood swings, dilutions, paranoia,
impaired judgments. Some of the long-term effects includes, swelling of the body, liver damage,
enlarged heart, risk of stroke and heart attack. Even more interesting to the fact on these effects,
because steroids is a imitation of the hormone, testosterone in the body, this drugs has gender
specific effects.
Since there is a general knowledge of the drug, we can see that Anabolic refers to the
building of the muscles in the body. Andronic part of the drug increase of male sex
characteristics. This drug, which is better known to the public as just steroids can be abused. The
abuse of steroids comes from the enhancements in the muscles which refines physical
appearances. Because steroids act as testosterone, steroid abusers are able build and repair
muscles in a fast amount of time. In order to do this, abusers use up to 10-100 times of what is
prescribed. (NIDA) The strengthening of the muscle tissue boost physical appearance.
Sometimes for athletes the feeling of pressure and desire to excel creates a reason to start
abusing. Steroids also enhances its users to be faster, feel stronger, and have more energy.
Due to the physical effects on muscles the drug abusers are commonly athletes and
bodybuilders. Steroids are usually taken orally or injected, and even though they do affect the
brain, this drug doesn't give the "high" that other drugs do with the increase levels of dopamine,
but when steroids are abused, it can affect dopamine, seratonine, and opuim in the system. Dr.
John Ziegler who was physician for the U.S. Wrestling team in the 1958, learned that the Soviet
Union were injecting testosterone in their athletes to enhance performance. With that in mind Dr.
Ziegler researched on himself and other athletes and introduced steroids to the U.S.

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Since Steroids are a performance enhancement drug, it is known to be used by many

athletes in sports and Olympic games. Many athletes who have been caught using steroids say
that the pressure of winning and excelling gets to them, and it leads them to taking steroids. The
latest steroid scandal was in 2016 where Russian athletes were banned from Olympics and even
found that states sponsoring the use of steroids.Bodybuilding is an exercise where the person
develops and controls their muscles. There are worldwide competitions including Mr. And Mrs.
Olympia. Even though the World Bodybuilding Federation has said to do anabolic steroid test. It
is not looked into, and can be visually seen as a huge part of a bodybuilders lifestyle.
In 1994 Hulk Hogan confessed in court that "he took anabolic steroids not only for
building muscle but, to heal injuries, to keep on going." This is not rare in the industry of
Wrestling, were men and women athletes perform a heavy physical combat sport. There have
been several wrestlers who have died young from heart attacks. Some famous wrestlers (But not
limited to) have been Eddie Guerrero, The Ultimate Warrior, and Macho Man Randy Savage.
Consequences for the boost on physical appearance comes with a high price on the
effects of the body of abusers. There are several effects the steroids have on the body, including
mental and health problems; Some short-term effects include, mood swings, dilutions, paranoia,
impaired judgments. Some of the long-term effects includes, swelling of the body, liver damage,
enlarged heart, risk of stroke and heart attack. Even more interesting to the fact on these effects,
because steroids is a imitation of the hormone, testosterone in the body, this drugs has gender
specific effects.
On men effects can include; decrease in sperm, shrinking testicalse, badlness,
deveeopment in breast, and a high risk of prostate cancer. In women effects can include; deep

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voice, enlarged slitoris, stop or changes in the menstrual cycle, growth of facial hair, as well as
male, pattern baldness. The reason that there are difference between gender is because of the
steroids mimic the testosterone levels. It also affects teenagers differently because of it. Steroids
affects teens differently than adult women and men. Since teenagers are going threw hormonal
physical changes in both body growth and in their reproductive system. Anabolic steroids abuse
suppresses growth hormones. As well as causes psychological effects like, aggression,
depression, and even suicide.
Once steroid abusers want to stop taking steroids, it is important to not completely stop
the use but instead consult a doctor to slowly work on a plan to come of steroids. This is because
it can be extremely dangerous and can disrupt the hormonal balance causing drastic health
effects including severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Despite the mental and health problems steroids have on the body, the drug is abused by
many who have come across using the drug illegally for its body enhancement uses. Normally
when people like athletes, or bodybuilders use steroids, the doses of the drug are at a much
higher rate, creating the addiction, and side effects. Just like any other drug, withdrawal
symptoms are difficult to experience. Still, there is help for those who are addicted to steroids,
with the help of behavioral therapy, as well as medicines to help treat the withdrawal symptoms,
and so restore the hormonal system.

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Work Cited
Mind Over Matter: Anabolic Steroids. NIDA for Teens, Sarah Bellum 2016.

Steroid Use Among High School Athletes - Global Sports Development. Global Sports
Development, Robin Runyan, 12 Nov. 2013.

Hulk Hogan, on Witness Stand, Tells of Steroid Use in Wrestling. New York Times, Uniondale
L.I., 18 July 1984.

Asthma Steroids: Inhaled Steroids, Side Effects, Benefits, and More. WebMD, Laura J. Martin,
27 July 2016.

News, ABC. Schwarzenegger Has No Regrets About Steroid Use. ABC News, ABC News
Network, 25 Feb. 2005.

NIDA. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Anabolic Steroids

www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids

Association of Steroid abuse http://www.steroidabuse.com