Individual use ranged from one to fifteen distinct kinds, including Dianabol, Deca Durabolin, Anavar, Testosterone, Androl 50, Winstrol, Primobolan, Equipoise, and Finaject. Some bodybuilders took more than fifteen different types of anabolic steroids at once.
The most popular classes of anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders are the androgens and the anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Androgens are natural or synthetic chemicals that stimulate muscle growth by attaching themselves to receptors in cells. AASs are drugs that function as androgens. They include testosterone, which is produced by the testes; Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the testes and adrenal glands; Androstenedione (Adione); Etiocholanolone (Epi); Methandienone (Methadion); and Stanozolol (Winstrol).
On commercial websites, up to 32 different forms of anabolic steroids are listed. Some, like Nebido, have purely medical use. Anadrol is an example of a steroid that may be used for both medical and performance purposes. Other compounds, such as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which plays a role in male pattern hair loss, can only be obtained through prescription from your doctor.
Types of steroids include:
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are chemical analogs of testosterone. They enhance the effects of testosterone by binding to receptor sites on muscle cell membranes. AAS were originally developed as medicines to treat conditions caused by low testosterone levels in men. However, some athletes have abused anabolic steroids by taking large amounts for non-medical reasons - usually in an effort to gain greater strength or size. Abusers often report that the drugs make them feel more masculine and able to cope with the stress of training hard.
AAS come in two main forms: injectable and oral. Both types enter the body through the stomach lining and are absorbed directly into blood vessels. Injectable steroids are given as shots under the skin, while others are taken by mouth. All AAS bind to hormone receptors inside cells, but not all cells react the same way to each drug.
There are several types of steroids. Anadrol, oxandrin, dianabol, winstrol, deca-durabolin, and equipoise are some of the most commonly used anabolic steroids today. These drugs help build muscle and increase bone density. They also affect the way your body uses energy.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding is a serious offense that can result in sanctions from professional organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In addition to losing game time, athletes who test positive for drugs will have their records sealed if they choose to continue playing football or basketball.
Sanctions include but are not limited to disqualification from all sports activities during the period of ineligibility, exclusion from championship competitions, and suspension or expulsion from school. An athlete who has been sanctioned may be allowed back into competition after completing a drug rehabilitation program. However, even after completing such a program, banned substances in an athlete's system may still be detected by laboratory tests performed by organizations such as Sports Illustrated Magazine or The NCAA.
Drugs.com provides information on this site only as general education. This site does not dispense medical advice. Information on the site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have a health problem, please consult a health care provider.
The major anabolic-androgenic steroids now prescribed in the United States include testosterone and many of its esters, as well as methyltestosterone, nandrolone decanoate, and oxandrolone. These drugs can be given orally or injected into a muscle or fat tissue deposit called a "bulk." They work by binding to receptors on cell membranes and triggering changes that lead to growth of new muscle cells.
Strictly speaking, all anabolic steroids can increase muscle mass, but some are more effective than others for doing so. Anabolic steroids that bind to and activate the androgen receptor present in muscle cells will cause them to grow. Those that bind to and activate the androgen receptor present in bone tissue will cause bones to become stronger and larger. Some anabolics also have estrogenic properties which may help prevent osteoporosis or promote healing of wounds.
Anabolic steroids were originally developed to treat patients with cancer who suffered from severe weight loss due to their tumors. Because these drugs stimulate muscle growth, they also have potential use as performance enhancers in athletes. Anabolic steroids have been popular among bodybuilders for decades because they allow them to gain size and strength faster than normal without suffering the negative effects of heavy drinking or other unhealthy practices.
Bodybuilders, sportsmen, and fitness "buffs" who feel drugs provide them a competitive advantage and/or improve their physical performance are the most common users of anabolic steroids. Individuals in vocations requiring heightened physical strength (such as bodyguards, construction workers, and law enforcement agents) have also been observed using these medications. According to a study published in 2001, steroid use is widespread among college-age men; nearly one in five reported having used them in the past year.
In addition to bodybuilders and sportsmen, teachers, nurses, and military personnel are other groups that may administer anabolic steroids illegally. Anabolic steroids can be administered by any of these individuals in order to achieve a physical appearance or performance enhancement that would not otherwise be possible.
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