What Do Anabolic Steroids Do To Your Body?

Hormones are chemical substances produced by our body that are responsible for regulating bodily functions and behaviour. Steroids and hormones are not only chemically similar to each other but also perform the same biological functions. An example of this is the corticosteroid cortisone, used for the treatment of various conditions, such as back pain and arthritis. There is another class of steroids known as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids can be administered either by injections, pills, creams or gels. Anabolic steroids are most efficient when prescribed to patients suffering from low testosterone and diseases which cause muscle loss such as AIDS and cancer. In higher doses, however, anabolic steroids have been known to cause health defects, and studies have shown that excessive use of these drugs causes permanent damage to the body.

Steroids work by changing the expression of one’s genes. Within just a day of taking steroids, the chemical compound enters the user’s cells and bind to the androgen receptor. At this point, they can move to the nucleus and get attached to the DNA. This process activates hundreds of genes which increase protein synthesis and in turn, slow down protein breakdown. In the end, people using steroids can have up to five times more nuclei in their muscle cells. The effects don’t end here, though. Steroids have also shown to reduce body fat percentage and increase muscle size, recovery and strength. There are, however, downsides to taking steroids. Since steroid receptors can be found in various parts of the central nervous system such as the forebrain, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, steroids can have a severe effect on the mood of the individual. Scientific studies have shown subjects to exhibit increased rage as well as depression after steroid use and prolonged use of these drugs, irrespective of the method of delivery, whether it is injectable steroids or oral ones.

People who take steroids frequently report their experience:

mood changesincreased aggressionviolent behaviourfrustrationdepressionover competitivenessirrational behaviouraddiction

Anabolic steroids primarily target androgen receptors to bring about a change in cellular functioning and gene expression. That, along with regulating pathways involved in the development of male characteristics, and the influence that anabolic steroids have on these receptors also produces an increase in calcium levels within the body.

When anabolic steroids are misused, they often lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. It is not uncommon for patients to also exhibit liver damage and cancers. Minor side effects of steroids may include nausea, increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries, headaches, body ache, diarrhoea and severe acne.

In the hope of avoiding these side effects, many users resort to taking anabolic steroids in “cycles”. Cycling involves on and off periods during which the user chooses the drug, but there is no scientific evidence linking this method to reduced associated risks. Therefore, the smartest move is to consult a medical professional before taking steroids.

Nishi Singh is an experienced content marketing analyst at ETV Bharat Live News. She has expertise in research based writing about politics, ideological influence of news media.