What are Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced versions of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. While they may be legally prescribed, illicit use far exceeds legitimate use.
What Does It Look Like?
Steroids come in tablets or liquid form.
How is it Taken?
Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected. Many users use them in what is called 'cycling'. Users take them in cycles of weeks and months instead of continuous use. They frequently use several different types of steroids in order to maximize the good benefits of a specific steroid and lessoning the more negative effects. This form of abuse is known as 'stacking'.
Who Uses Steroids?
Body builders and athletes often use steroids to boost their competitive advantage and improve their physical appearance. Those who use steroids often talk about feeling good about themselves and invincible while using steroids. The positive feelings can soon turn to anger, rage, paranoia and violence.
What are the Effects of Steroids?
Reports indicate that use of anabolic steroids increases lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance.
What are the Hazards of Steroids?
Steroids often make users feel edgy, moody, aggressive and paranoid. Other short-term hazards include:
Headaches
Nosebleeds
Acne
Stomach pain
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Fluid retention
Muscle tightness
Muscle cramps
Tendon problems
Many problems can arise from long-term use. These include:
Heart disease
Liver Cancer
Hypertension
Eating disorder
Elevated cholesterol
Stunted growth
Episodes of rage
Delusions
Violent behavior
HIV
Hazards for Specific Groups
Adolescents
Adolescents may experience stunted growth due to premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes which is irreversible.
Women
Women often experience a "masculinization" effect when using steroids. They may have an increase in facial hair, enlarged clitoris, deepened voice and changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle.
Men
Men may experience a "feminization" effect when using steroids. They can experience infertility, shrinking testicles, reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness and development of breasts.
Are Steroids Addictive?
Steroid users often experience characteristics related to addiction when they stop using steroids including severe cravings, depression, and sleeping disorders.
iBench Say:
Just say no, and do not go anywhere near this stuff. Just get some of that #Hyphymud in you and you will be on your way to an explosive workout.
