• Question: what do anabolic steriods do to you and why are they illeagal?

    Asked by box1 to Aime, Akshat, Diana, Gemma, Judith on 15 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Gemma Sharp

      Gemma Sharp answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Anabolic steroids are a class of drug that mimic naturally-ocurring androgen hormones. Androgen hormones are often referred to as ‘male hormones’ (although they occur naturally in women too) and the most famous example is Testosterone.

      Testosterone increases in men at puberty and makes them make sperm cells, grow body hair and get a deeper voice. It also increases protein production in cells, which helps build muscle mass.

      Some men might be tempted to take anabolic steroids so that their bodies become more masculine, or so that they can build really big muscles. Athletes have to be tested to make sure they haven’t taken any anabolic steroids because it would give them an unfair advantage over their competitors.

      Their use in sport is banned, but I’m not sure if they’re completely illegal (do any of the other scientists know?). They are associated with some serious health problems if used long term though, so in general it’s not a good idea to use anabolic steroids to build muscle.

      The health problems include increased cholesterol, high blood pressure, acne, liver damage, and changes in the shape and function of the heart that can cause heart failure.They might also cause users to be depressed, angry or even violent.

    • Photo: Aimé Fournier

      Aimé Fournier answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      It seems worth asking, if their use wasn’t concealed, why not legalize it. They’re un-healthy, but so are many legal substances. They’re anti-competitive, but only because their use is concealed. However “serious health problems” are enough reason to avoid them!

    • Photo: Judith McCann

      Judith McCann answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Wow, great question- I didn’t know the answer to that, guess I do now!

      I don’t know if I’m meant to ask but I have a question now! Gemma, is there any health reason why you would take them? for a disease or hormone imbalance? I mean could they be prescribed by a doctor.

Comments

  • Photo: Gemma

    Gemma commented on :

    Apparently so! I hadn’t really ever thought about this, but apparently they can be prescribed for things like growth failure in children, or severe muscle wastage in cancer and AIDs patients.

    I know scientists are also looking in to the use of testosterone as a male contraceptive – may seem odd considering testosterone stimulates sperm production, but actually high concentrations of testosterone in the blood feedback to the brain to stop natural testosterone production and decrease sperm production.