Steroids are an artificial form of an anabolic steroid that have an effect on the body. The anabolic steroids are used for either health or performance purposes.
These anabolics are prescribed for illnesses such as AIDS. They are also used in the treatment of breast cancer in women and when there is a deficiency in kidneys.
One of the side effects which can be very dangerous is depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver damage, stroke, heart disease, pancreatitis, diabetes and an aneurysm.
Despite the dangerous side effects, they continue to be at the forefront of bodybuilding shows and abused by weight lifters to gain an edge for more strength and size.
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What Exactly Are Labeled As Steroids?
Steroids are anabolic androgenic steroids that essentially mimic the anabolic steroid produced by the human body known as testosterone.
They work on muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, libido, moods and performance of the individual using them.
These anabolics are designed to increase muscle strength and size of an individual. However, they do not build muscles without training however help users pack on muscle in record time.
The supraphysiological look that you often see with bodybuilding shows as well as on the covers of all the muscle magazines are almost all guaranteed to be users of steroids.
That also includes many Hollywood actors that undergo major transformations in just a couple of months time.
Steroids Ban
According to reports, anabolic steroid abuse has escalated since their ban in sports events leading to many deaths because of their side effects on the heart where there is either enlargement or thickening. It can also lead to stroke especially if an individual already has high blood pressure.
In females, anabolic steroids cause an increase in bad cholesterol or LDL levels. In males, anabolic steroids can reduce the sperm count and excessive use of anabolics leads to testicular atrophy.
While steroids are manufactured drugs, supplementary means are used by athletes who wish to take advantage of their effects. One supplement that is popular with bodybuilders is Dianabol which has mild steroid properties but it enhances muscle growth by increasing nitrogen retention in muscles making them bigger. This product also helps burn fat without losing any muscle tissue since it works on protein anabolism.
What an anabolic steroid does is to increase the uptake of proteins, carbohydrates and potassium leading to an increase in muscle volume even without exercise or training since it also breaks down fat for energy. Testosterone anabolic steroids are used by athletes so that their performance will never be compromised.
There are other anabolics like Deca Durabolin which has properties similar to testosterone but with less number of side effects at least when compared with other anabolics. Others prefer Equipoise which is another synthetic anabolic steroid that gives your body a boost while decreasing pain during workouts enabling you to work out more intensely than before.
Some users of anabolic steroids swear by their ability to improve mental focus too while some of the harder steroids on the market like trenbolone have serious mental side effects that range from depression, rage, and uncharacteristic behaviors.
While anabolic steroids are controversial and should be avoided not just for physical harm, but also legal reasons as well. With that being said, there are a number of effective supplements that are considered to be legal steroids that are getting some pretty impressive reviews that we’ll dive into later on.
Steroids Side Effects?
The anabolic steroid has a wide range of side effects which all depend on how much steroid is taken and exposure to the anabolics as well as personal factors such as age and health condition of an individual. The most common side effects include:
· Acne: Though acne is common among both genders, it is mostly seen in those who are adolescents who take them during puberty leading to hormonal imbalances causing an increase in this skin problem.
· Breast tissue development: Testosterone anabolics can result in an increase in breast size for men.
· Excessive aggression: There are anabolic anabolics that can cause you to experience increased mood swings and anger especially to those around you.
· Hair loss: Those who take anabolic steroids have an increased chance of losing their hair since the drug increases the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT, a more potent form that causes baldness.
· Liver damage: Anabolic steroid users suffer from an enlarged liver because it has an increased level of enzymes which process drugs compared with non-drug users’ livers. These enzymes are cytochrome P-450 and an increased number of them cause an individual to suffer from an enlarged liver since they gradually destroy the organ.
· Metabolic changes: Testosterone does not metabolize in an anabolic steroid user’s body so it results in an increase in bad cholesterol or LDL and a reduction in good cholesterol or HDL.
· Peliosis hepatis: An anabolic steroid user suffers from blood-filled cysts that develop on the liver though this condition can be treated if detected early enough.
How do people get their hands on illegal anabolic steroids?
You buy illegal anabolic steroids just like any other supplements on the dark web, suppliers at the gym, and in some supplement stores.
When an anabolic steroid is taken orally it only has a small fraction which is used by the liver and an even smaller amount that enters your system. If you inject an anabolic steroid, it goes directly into your bloodstream so if you have a high dose, there will be a larger effect on your body compared with when taking them orally.
A large number of anabolics are manufactured in countries like China before being sold to markets all over the world including Europe and America where they are made available online through dark web sites.
Are Steroids Legal?
Despite anabolic anabolics being popular among athletes, they are not legal in all countries. Some of the anabolic anabolics that are an exception include Dianabol which is legal in most countries except for Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK where it is banned.
Despite steroids being illegal, often bodybuilders will get the raw powders shipped from other countries to do what’s called a homebrew for their favorite anabolics.
Others will resort to buying them illegally.
Steroid Alternatives
Despite the anabolic steroid being illegal in most countries, there are legal alternatives that can provide similar benefits without the harmful side effects. These anabolics are an alternative if you cannot take an anabolic steroid for health reasons or if you are scared of what an anabolic steroid might do to your body.
One example is HGH which is also known as human growth hormone that has many benefits similar to anabolic steroids minus their side effects. However, it does nothing for improving physical strength and muscle development but only helps with skin elasticity and muscle repair.
Testosterone prescriptions are another example which replace testosterone levels within healthy ranges so they are not used illegally by those who have low levels of the male sex hormone since it will actually replace the hormone.
These are all available along with a variety of other options using Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Steroids vs Hormone Replacement Therapy – What’s the Difference?
Hormone replacement therapy is using testosterone which also happens to be one of the popular anabolic steroids.
People go to HRT clinics to receive treatment for an underperforming or overproducing gland or organ in the body. This can be accompanied by physical therapy, counseling and/or lifestyle changes depending on the requirements of the patient.
Those who suffer from an anabolic steroid deficiency are given testosterone injections along with other anabolics for women who have low estrogen levels compared with men which will boost their system up to either normal or desired levels where it might have been lacking. The anabolism brought about by this hormonal imbalance causes masculinization in women so they are given estrogen as well. Similarly, those who have an overproduction of testosterone will be given an anti-androgen to reduce their levels down.
In both cases, it’s about restoring the body’s hormonal balance so those who have an anabolic steroid deficiency can feel healthy as well as those with an overproduction of testosterone.
Are SARMS the same as steroids?
SARMS are anabolic steroids that are an alternative to anabolic anabolics which have more benefits similar to them while having less side effects.
SARMS, not illegal, are banned from pro sports and college athletics.
SARMS have a lower anabolic strength compared with an anabolic steroid yet they provide results that are almost similar which is why they are being used by athletes who have no patience for the harsh side effects caused by steroids.
List of Popular Anabolic Steroids
Below are a list of popular steroids that are on the market.
Anadrol: an anabolic steroid known to give the best results when it comes to increasing an athlete’s strength. It is an injectable anabolic steroid that will help increase an athlete’s weight by promoting the fluid retention in the body.
Anavar: another anabolic steroid that can be used orally which helps increase an athlete’s strength and muscles endurance. It does not provide any size gains but it can be used by those who are adding muscle mass as well as improving their endurance levels.
Deca Durabolin: this anabolism is taken right after an anaphrodisiac which will prevent testosterone from being turned into estrogen since Deca also has a high level of progestin properties within it, making it a popular choice for an anabolic steroid. People who use an anaphrodisiac with Deca include Bodybuilders, power lifters and football players since it provides slow but solid results.
Testosterone: an anabolic steroid that is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics along with protein synthesis for increasing physical strength. It can be taken orally or injected into the body depending on what format it comes in. Testosterone is also known to enhance cognitive abilities in older men by increasing their sex drive with few side effects.
Dianabol: an anabolic steroid that helps an athlete gain muscle mass depending on the dosage used. It is an orally taken anabolic steroid which can also help increase strength to an extent, but it does have a lot of side effects including high blood pressure, bloating and excess estrogen levels in the body.
Winstrol: an injectable anabolic steroid that is mainly used by athletes who are into weight lifting along with other sports requiring speed and power. It will give an athlete more stamina as well as endurance which causes less water retention compared with Dianabol.
Final Word
Even though steroids are powerful anabolics, it’s not worth the risk legally as well as the potential side effects.
Each person is different and there body will respond completely different.