Athletes all around the world have stuck with steroids for building a good physique and boosting their performance. Due to its popularity, steroids have been bought and sold in enormous quantities. This fame has also resulted in the rooting of many illegal steroids alongside legal steroids leading to many hostile side effects. Bodybuilders and athletes use them illegally to gain a lead in the playing field. Anabolic steroids are legal and highly effective with fewer side effects.

What can steroids do to you?

Anabolic steroids are a kind of synthetic drugs, and they closely mimic the effects of male sex hormones, like testosterone. They can be consumed in various forms – applied on the skin in cream or gel form, used as a patch, injected, or consumed orally. More than 100 variations of anabolic steroids exist, and the most powerful androgen is testosterone. Anabolic steroids generally build muscle mass, endurance, and strength.

Some legal steroids mimic the action of testosterone, while others boost the production of testosterone. While the end result is almost the same, they vary in the timeline of operation.  Anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH), though they perform almost similar functions, are different in the way they exercise control over the body. HGH produced in your body is responsible for the reproduction of body cells, cell replacements, proper functioning of certain enzymes, and for the healthy functioning of the brain, while steroids focus only on building the muscles.

Types of anabolic steroids

They generally come in many forms, since they can be easily produced in labs. Some common types of anabolic steroids include:

• Anabol
• Androstenedione
• Winstrol
• THG
• HGH
• DecaDurabolin

There are also many other forms of testosterone derivatives, but in general, all these forms of steroids serve the same purpose – increment of muscle mass and strength by boosting testosterone production. Some anabolic steroids can be injected directly into the muscle, while others are consumed in the pills form.

Benefits and Risks

Anabolic steroids are often effective and safe when consumed in their prescribed amounts. Some persons will naturally have very low levels of testosterone, and can supplement on legal steroids to maintain normal levels of testosterone. This may prove effective for your body without any side effects. Long-term use of steroids, however, is not safe.

Anabolic steroids can be consumed as bursts to develop a good physique. They can be consumed over a period of one month, and can be assisted by hefty workouts for great results. Anyone seeking an edge on the competitive field can take to the anabolic burst dosage. They help in strengthening and growing your muscles within a short time. But for long-term users, a few side effects can be observed. Men may develop overgrown breast muscles; women can develop facial hairs from excess testosterone, and both sexes may undergo severe muscle ache.

It can also give rise to high blood pressure, tumors of the kidney/liver, and high cholesterol. Athletes  who have a history of steroid abuse have known to suffer heart attacks and strokes. Steroid abuse can also wreak havoc on the brain. Steroid users have known to suffer from mild depression and wild mood swings.

Are steroids addictive?

Even though anabolic steroids don’t result in the same high as other drugs, they may lead to addiction. People known to have abused steroids, have developed signs of addiction. When you get addicted to steroids, you start devoting much of your time and energy to acquiring the drug. Once you’re used to taking a regular drug dosage, you may suffer withdrawal symptoms if you try quitting all of a sudden.

Behavioral therapies are known to help you out of addiction. Antidepressant medications, in combination with behavioral counseling, can help steroid addicts get through this coarse transaction. Though steroids have some side effects, both short-term and long-term, they play a major role in boosting strength both physically and psychologically. Make sure you keep your steroid intake in check, and stay healthy.