History and Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids

From Synthesization to Abuse

Nov 16, 2009 Christa Gutzler

Today, the word, "steroid" connotes ideas of illegal activity, toxic self-destruction, and testosterone-fueled competition.

However, the frenzied power and eruptible behavior exercised by people on steroids has not always been the primary focus, nor was this aggressive combination the intention for the first incidents of chemically synthesized testosterone usage.

In the 19th century, scientific and biological interests piqued during the investigation into what features were truly demonstrative of male identity. It is speculated that the question posed was, “What really made a man a man?” To get answers, scientists isolated the testes of various male birds and erroneously hypothesized that displacing these organs in their abdomens or other locations throughout the body would affect the male sexual reproductive system.

A choice to engage in illegal steroid use translates to a choice in sabotaging the natural testosterone mechanics in one’s body. Anabolic steroids not only affect growth, baldness, impotence, and susceptibility to disease, but the desired outcomes of usage may derail from hyperactive muscle and bone strength to out of control fits of aggression and hostility.

Steroid UseMost steroid users do so to maximize body weight regiments and increase muscle development, but the long-term and side effects of habitual use can prove to be addictive and deadly. Steroids have been known to cause erratic behavior that matches sociopathic tendencies as both the mind and body are affected by hormone injections of this magnitude.

Using steroids in cycles is a common tactic, which throws the state of the user’s mental and physical systems into a chaotic world of highs and lows. Because steroids target the hormone receptors responsible for increased and rapid physical activity, their potency can be alarming and addictive. Enter the illegalization of anabolic steroids.

Testosterone and Anabolism

As a synthetic derivative of testosterone, steroids’ multi-faceted effects have both legitimate and illegal subtexts. Because the steroids in question are known to be anabolic, they refer to complex substances made from simpler ones as opposed to catabolic substances that are broken down from their complex origins. Natural anabolism, taking place in all humans, activates cell growth and promotes overall muscle and bone enhancement by way of protein creation and other systematic swelling agents cued by cell division.

Unnaturally generated anabolism imparted by illegal steroid use tends to give way to a host of unwanted effects often overlooked by exiting or potential steroid users. As mentioned, participating in the process of anabolism, steroidal use of testosterone synthesizes simple compounds into more complex ones. Our naturally processed testosterone is essentially drowning in extraneous amounts of its own kind at the receptor site when steroids are injected, thereby causing extremely hazardous side effects and the likelihood of an overdose.

Synthesization

Preliminary findings, pioneered by scientists in the mid-20th century, suggested that the anabolic functions of testosterone could serve many purposes including prolonged and elevated states of physical and mental prowess. To "be anabolic" means to take simple substances and make them more complex. That is to say, testosterone is not harmful discretely, but when compounded with synthetic matter, the hormones take on a life of their own.

These discoveries were invaluable to scientists who undertook the synthesization of testosterone, which later produced an extract that would come to be known as the first anabolic steroid. To trace the history of steroids from the initial intended usages to its modern appeal requires a look at the historical, physiological, and cultural aspects of these controversial hormones.

References:

Association Against Steroid Abuse. http://steroidabuse.com/

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. SEC.501.[21 USC 351] Adulterated Drugs and Devices ,http://fda.gov/opacom/laws/fdcact/fdcact5a.htm>

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 16th Ed., 1992; pp.2277-2278.

The copyright of the article History and Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids in Fitness is owned by Christa Gutzler. Permission to republish History and Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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