Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below I'm doing a research paper on Steroids, effects, legalization, etc. I know the basic sites for steroid info. referral but none of the sites I know will hold up as a reliable source in my paper. Does anybody have any recommendations on sites I could refer to that would be helpful?
Steroid research paper...
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JUICESEEKER
New member
THE SAME SITE YOU ARE VIEWING.
JUICESEEKER said:
G
gilly6993-recreatedbygeorge
Guest
I would go to a medical library and do a search of the JAMA to find articles relating to research on testosterone. None of the info you get here would hold up for a reference on a research paper. It's not like you can make a statement and footnote "Quadsweep; elitefitness thread #145325......
monkeyballs
New member
WWW.steroidswillmakeyourdickbigger.com
I just had to do it.
I just had to do it.
I ordered the book The Steroid Bible a little while back. I thought it would be more geared torward using/safely-obtaining gear, but is actually written like a book of research regarding roids-- so might be really good for what you are looking for. It is on barnesandnoble.com at this link: http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=steroids&userid=17XCI7FV30
I have seen it in a ton of places online, though (yahoo, amazon, etc.). Good luck.
steel10
I have seen it in a ton of places online, though (yahoo, amazon, etc.). Good luck.
steel10
Black Hamma
New member
Anabolic and androgenic steroids like all drugs, have both positive and negative effects on the user that vary from person to person. Steroid hormones are a class of hormones whose chemical structure (four fused carbon rings with various functional groups) resembles cholesterol; steroids which are lipids, are secreted by the ovaries and placenta, the testes, and the adrenal cortex (Audesirk G-23). Generally when you hear the word steroid the first thing that comes to mind is a large, acne covered, bald muscle man. What you do not think of is the chronically ill person, whom without the use of a drug that promotes lean body mass, would become literally just skin and bones. Many people today use steroids without any need to, except for the fact that they want to become muscular, get strong, and/or to get into good shape. What they do not realize is that steroids are not a magic pill or a panacea. Without proper training, rest, and protein minimal results will occur if any. These are the people that usually have no knowledge of the effects of steroids on the human body and obtain them illegally. Without the proper guidance or a prescription from a doctor, the individual (man or woman) does not know what they are using and place their health at a great risk. Below is some of the information that must be read in order to assess for yourself whether steroids are worth use in anybody especially you and those whom you care for.
Anabolic (tissue structure) and androgenic (masculinizing) are the qualities that testosterone possess. Testosterone or a derivative of testosterone makes up the majority of steroids that are used both legally and illegally. For example, a few types of commonly used steroids are testosterone enanthate, testosterone propionate, and sustanon 250. The words enanthate and propionate refer to the ester that is attached to the steroid. The ester determines how frequently the steroid must be administered to keep the testosterone at therapeutic levels within the body. Sustanon is a combination of four esters ranging from a fast acting, to a slow acting ester thereby allowing an almost immediate effect that lasts for up to a month so injections can be made relatively infrequently. Steroids can be mostly anabolic, mostly androgenic, or a combination of the two. Primary muscle growth comes from the anabolic effects. Deepening of the voice, facial and body hair, are the androgenic effects of secondary male sex characteristics. The highly anabolic steroids such as nandrolone decanoate and oxandrolone are referred to as the safest steroids by the vast majority of the bodybuilding and medical communities. On the other hand, harsh androgenic steroids like fluoxymesterone (halotestin) are very bad in terms of side effects.
The benefits versus the health hazards analogous with anabolic/androgenic steroid use are what society today is largely misinformed about. As in all drugs, steroids have side effects. Generally speaking, side effects with steroids are dose related. Professional bodybuilders taking enormous doses of many different drugs in addition to diuretics are the persons that have been hospitalized or have died from steroid related causes. Some of the more common side effects are acne, male pattern balding, gynecomastia, liver dysfunction, and testicular atrophy.
Gynecomastia is a common disease of the male breast that can occur during puberty for many males but is very prevalent in the abuse of steroids in the bodybuilding community. First signs of gynecomastia are usually itchy, puffy or sore nipples. Then there is a development of hard tissue under a nipple or both nipples. Many who suffer from this disease have a disturbance in the proper ratio of androgen and estrogen levels. You then may ask why, if someone is using testosterone is there an increase in estrogen? The answer is that testosterone serves as a prohormone for the estrogen estradiol (Goldman). Estradiol is an active metabolite that in excessive concentrations leads to feminization of the body (Wadler). This means that excess testosterone can be converted to estrogen through an enzyme called aromatase. An excess of estrogen is the last thing males want. An anti-estrogen such as nolvaldex or an anti-aromatase like arimidex is used. Arimidex (anastrozole) prevents the testosterone to aromatize, and inhibition of aromatase reduces the production of estrogen. Tamoxifen (nolvaldex) is a medicine that blocks the effects of the estrogen hormone in the body by occupying the receptor site for estrogen.
Acne plagues many teens in puberty but also plagues those using steroids. Acne is caused by a particular bacterium which seems to flourish in skin rich in androgenic-anabolic steroid by-products (Taylor 1982). Teenage years are when a young male’s hormones are changing and their testosterone level starts to skyrocket even without steroid use, which explains why many (including myself) have and increase in acne and oil on the skin. The most common areas for acne to occur are the face, back, and shoulders. The oil production is increased due to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. The sebaceous glands are in the dermis of the skin, formed from epithelial tissue, that produces the oily substance sebum, which lubricates the epidermis (Audesirk G-22). More oil production leads to more pimples if preventative measures are not taken. With more pimples the epidermis will become greatly perforated increasing the likelihood of a bacterial infection. A dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic like minocycline to hinder the protein synthesis of the bacteria thereby stopping the growth of the acne. Bodybuilders taking steroids hate to see the words “inhibition of protein synthesis” because they consume huge amounts of protein in an effort to maximize anabolism. They feel that antibiotics like minocycline will hinder muscular gains when on a cycle of steroids. Bodybuilders tend to put up with the increase in acne until the cycle is over and then start the use of the antibiotics. Minocycine is usually taken twice a day (a.m. and p.m.) at 100mgs each dose. Usually a clearing of the skin can be noticed after three weeks of use. Some people use minocycline without obtaining the desired result of clear skin. If minocycline does not help a harsher medication called Accutane can be prescribed. Accutane dries the epidermis greatly, almost completely destroying the “environment” beneficial to bacterial growth. Accutane commonly raises cholesterol, so the patient should have blood work done before, during and after to make sure you are in the correct cholesterol range and are not damaging the body. Accutane, minocycline, and steroids are all medications, and guess what? They all have side effects harmful to the human body.
A very popular untruth about steroids is that the testes permanently shrink. It is a fact that the testes do shrink. This is caused by the addition of outside testosterone to the body. The body realizes there is more testosterone is being added, so it does not need to produce as much, causing the testes to shrink. When anabolics are taken, you get a negative feedback, shutting off LH and FSH secretion by the pituitary gland (Goldman). Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) is a drug that is able to bring testosterone production back to normal levels as well as testicle size back to normal. In studies, Clomid therapy post cycle will bring natural testosterone production back to normal; also bring testicle size back to normal as well. David Paulson, M.D. found that clomid disrupts normal feedback inhibition of the anterior hypothalamus and hypophysis [the pituitary gland] so as to enhance release of follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH] by binding or occupying steroid binding receptors at these sites and thereby inducing the release of hypophyseal [pituitary] gonadotropin-releasing hormones (Goldman 264). As a result, natural testosterone production is also increased. This effect is obviously beneficial to the athlete, especially at the conclusion of a cycle when testosterone levels are subnormal. If testosterone levels are not brought to normal, a dramatic loss in size and strength may occur.
The most common ways of administering steroids are by taking them orally or by injecting them intramuscularly in the deltoids, quadriceps, or gluteus. Because of the ester attached to most injectable steroids, they [injectable steroid] are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream and the liver experiences a low concentration of the drug when compared to oral drugs (Taylor 1982). The major modification of the molecule which the oral steroids possess is an addition of some side chain or group of molecules on the 17-alpha position (Taylor 1982). The 17-alpha steroids are produced in such a way that allows them to be absorbed into the blood through the stomach and travel to the liver where they are not broken down as they should be due to the 17-alpha molecules. Oral steroids containing the 17-alpha molecules are linked to an elevation in liver function tests that many physicians feel is indicative of liver damage of some type (Taylor 1985). If the liver is becoming more and more damaged by steroid use, the liver will be impaired to carry out some of its vital functions. A vital function of the liver is the deactivation of estrogens from the adrenal gland. If this function is impaired, female breast development (gynecomastia) may occur (Goldman). Supposedly milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid, and other over the counter supplements can be taken to help protect the liver, but the effectiveness has not been studied by the Food and Drug Administration. Oral steroids are linked to liver tumors and abnormalities through numerous studies. If someone is using steroids (especially orals) blood tests should be done before, during, and after steroid treatment.
Balding is yet another side effect of androgenic/anabolic steroids. Stated within a previous paragraph it was said that testosterone served as a prohormone for estrogen but steroids are also a prohormone for dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as well as other molecules. It has been suggested that high levels of DHT in hair follicles with the proper genetic make-up may initiate baldness (Taylor 1982). Nizorol shampoo and propecia are the medications most commonly used to block the effect of DHT on the hair follicles so that baldness will cease or at least slow down. Looking at the older male family members within someone’s family, a good judgment of whether you are genetically predisposed to baldness can be made. Steroids may speed the process of balding.
Women should not by any means use steroids unless they have a medical condition acknowledged by a doctor. In the case of a medical condition, the doctor can monitor administration so all safety precautions are taken. Unlike males, women produce very little testosterone naturally in the ovaries and adrenal cortex. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for turning boys into men. Deepening of the voice, facial and body hair, are the androgenic effects of secondary male sex characteristics that will occur in women if steroids are used. Scientists believe that the potential of steroids to harm women is so great that scientists will not even take the risk of performing experiments to see if anabolic steroids improve women’s athletic performance (Goldman). Women who take steroids often look like men due to the androgenic side effects.
All these side effects make me wonder why some bodybuilders, athletes and fitness enthusiasts even bother with steroid use. Granted some steroids will pack on pounds and pounds of muscle and other steroids will help achieve a “hard as a rock” look, but the point of all the hard work spent exercising is (in my eyes) to look good, feel good, and improve the body. Being bald, acne covered, having gynecomastia, and urinating blood (because of liver and kidney problems) definitely does not fulfill the above requirements of improving the body, looking and feeling good. The benefits of use versus the negative side effects must be looked at before the use of steroids begins with anyone. Even so, some may still opt to use steroids to “improve” their physique and others may use the anabolic/ androgenic steroids due to medical conditions.
Works Cited
Audesirk, T. and G. Audeserk. 2001. Biology: Life on Earth, Sixth Ed.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Goldman, B. 1984. Death in the Locker Room-Steroids, Cocaine, and
Sports. Tucson, Arizona: Body Press.
Taylor, W. 1982. Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete. Jefferson, North
Carolina: McFarland and Co.
Taylor, W. 1985. Hormonal Manipulation. Jefferson, North Carolina:
McFarland and Co.
Wadler, G. and B. Hainline. 1989. Drugs and the Athlete. Philadelphia:
Davis Co.
Anabolic (tissue structure) and androgenic (masculinizing) are the qualities that testosterone possess. Testosterone or a derivative of testosterone makes up the majority of steroids that are used both legally and illegally. For example, a few types of commonly used steroids are testosterone enanthate, testosterone propionate, and sustanon 250. The words enanthate and propionate refer to the ester that is attached to the steroid. The ester determines how frequently the steroid must be administered to keep the testosterone at therapeutic levels within the body. Sustanon is a combination of four esters ranging from a fast acting, to a slow acting ester thereby allowing an almost immediate effect that lasts for up to a month so injections can be made relatively infrequently. Steroids can be mostly anabolic, mostly androgenic, or a combination of the two. Primary muscle growth comes from the anabolic effects. Deepening of the voice, facial and body hair, are the androgenic effects of secondary male sex characteristics. The highly anabolic steroids such as nandrolone decanoate and oxandrolone are referred to as the safest steroids by the vast majority of the bodybuilding and medical communities. On the other hand, harsh androgenic steroids like fluoxymesterone (halotestin) are very bad in terms of side effects.
The benefits versus the health hazards analogous with anabolic/androgenic steroid use are what society today is largely misinformed about. As in all drugs, steroids have side effects. Generally speaking, side effects with steroids are dose related. Professional bodybuilders taking enormous doses of many different drugs in addition to diuretics are the persons that have been hospitalized or have died from steroid related causes. Some of the more common side effects are acne, male pattern balding, gynecomastia, liver dysfunction, and testicular atrophy.
Gynecomastia is a common disease of the male breast that can occur during puberty for many males but is very prevalent in the abuse of steroids in the bodybuilding community. First signs of gynecomastia are usually itchy, puffy or sore nipples. Then there is a development of hard tissue under a nipple or both nipples. Many who suffer from this disease have a disturbance in the proper ratio of androgen and estrogen levels. You then may ask why, if someone is using testosterone is there an increase in estrogen? The answer is that testosterone serves as a prohormone for the estrogen estradiol (Goldman). Estradiol is an active metabolite that in excessive concentrations leads to feminization of the body (Wadler). This means that excess testosterone can be converted to estrogen through an enzyme called aromatase. An excess of estrogen is the last thing males want. An anti-estrogen such as nolvaldex or an anti-aromatase like arimidex is used. Arimidex (anastrozole) prevents the testosterone to aromatize, and inhibition of aromatase reduces the production of estrogen. Tamoxifen (nolvaldex) is a medicine that blocks the effects of the estrogen hormone in the body by occupying the receptor site for estrogen.
Acne plagues many teens in puberty but also plagues those using steroids. Acne is caused by a particular bacterium which seems to flourish in skin rich in androgenic-anabolic steroid by-products (Taylor 1982). Teenage years are when a young male’s hormones are changing and their testosterone level starts to skyrocket even without steroid use, which explains why many (including myself) have and increase in acne and oil on the skin. The most common areas for acne to occur are the face, back, and shoulders. The oil production is increased due to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. The sebaceous glands are in the dermis of the skin, formed from epithelial tissue, that produces the oily substance sebum, which lubricates the epidermis (Audesirk G-22). More oil production leads to more pimples if preventative measures are not taken. With more pimples the epidermis will become greatly perforated increasing the likelihood of a bacterial infection. A dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic like minocycline to hinder the protein synthesis of the bacteria thereby stopping the growth of the acne. Bodybuilders taking steroids hate to see the words “inhibition of protein synthesis” because they consume huge amounts of protein in an effort to maximize anabolism. They feel that antibiotics like minocycline will hinder muscular gains when on a cycle of steroids. Bodybuilders tend to put up with the increase in acne until the cycle is over and then start the use of the antibiotics. Minocycine is usually taken twice a day (a.m. and p.m.) at 100mgs each dose. Usually a clearing of the skin can be noticed after three weeks of use. Some people use minocycline without obtaining the desired result of clear skin. If minocycline does not help a harsher medication called Accutane can be prescribed. Accutane dries the epidermis greatly, almost completely destroying the “environment” beneficial to bacterial growth. Accutane commonly raises cholesterol, so the patient should have blood work done before, during and after to make sure you are in the correct cholesterol range and are not damaging the body. Accutane, minocycline, and steroids are all medications, and guess what? They all have side effects harmful to the human body.
A very popular untruth about steroids is that the testes permanently shrink. It is a fact that the testes do shrink. This is caused by the addition of outside testosterone to the body. The body realizes there is more testosterone is being added, so it does not need to produce as much, causing the testes to shrink. When anabolics are taken, you get a negative feedback, shutting off LH and FSH secretion by the pituitary gland (Goldman). Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) is a drug that is able to bring testosterone production back to normal levels as well as testicle size back to normal. In studies, Clomid therapy post cycle will bring natural testosterone production back to normal; also bring testicle size back to normal as well. David Paulson, M.D. found that clomid disrupts normal feedback inhibition of the anterior hypothalamus and hypophysis [the pituitary gland] so as to enhance release of follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH] by binding or occupying steroid binding receptors at these sites and thereby inducing the release of hypophyseal [pituitary] gonadotropin-releasing hormones (Goldman 264). As a result, natural testosterone production is also increased. This effect is obviously beneficial to the athlete, especially at the conclusion of a cycle when testosterone levels are subnormal. If testosterone levels are not brought to normal, a dramatic loss in size and strength may occur.
The most common ways of administering steroids are by taking them orally or by injecting them intramuscularly in the deltoids, quadriceps, or gluteus. Because of the ester attached to most injectable steroids, they [injectable steroid] are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream and the liver experiences a low concentration of the drug when compared to oral drugs (Taylor 1982). The major modification of the molecule which the oral steroids possess is an addition of some side chain or group of molecules on the 17-alpha position (Taylor 1982). The 17-alpha steroids are produced in such a way that allows them to be absorbed into the blood through the stomach and travel to the liver where they are not broken down as they should be due to the 17-alpha molecules. Oral steroids containing the 17-alpha molecules are linked to an elevation in liver function tests that many physicians feel is indicative of liver damage of some type (Taylor 1985). If the liver is becoming more and more damaged by steroid use, the liver will be impaired to carry out some of its vital functions. A vital function of the liver is the deactivation of estrogens from the adrenal gland. If this function is impaired, female breast development (gynecomastia) may occur (Goldman). Supposedly milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid, and other over the counter supplements can be taken to help protect the liver, but the effectiveness has not been studied by the Food and Drug Administration. Oral steroids are linked to liver tumors and abnormalities through numerous studies. If someone is using steroids (especially orals) blood tests should be done before, during, and after steroid treatment.
Balding is yet another side effect of androgenic/anabolic steroids. Stated within a previous paragraph it was said that testosterone served as a prohormone for estrogen but steroids are also a prohormone for dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as well as other molecules. It has been suggested that high levels of DHT in hair follicles with the proper genetic make-up may initiate baldness (Taylor 1982). Nizorol shampoo and propecia are the medications most commonly used to block the effect of DHT on the hair follicles so that baldness will cease or at least slow down. Looking at the older male family members within someone’s family, a good judgment of whether you are genetically predisposed to baldness can be made. Steroids may speed the process of balding.
Women should not by any means use steroids unless they have a medical condition acknowledged by a doctor. In the case of a medical condition, the doctor can monitor administration so all safety precautions are taken. Unlike males, women produce very little testosterone naturally in the ovaries and adrenal cortex. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for turning boys into men. Deepening of the voice, facial and body hair, are the androgenic effects of secondary male sex characteristics that will occur in women if steroids are used. Scientists believe that the potential of steroids to harm women is so great that scientists will not even take the risk of performing experiments to see if anabolic steroids improve women’s athletic performance (Goldman). Women who take steroids often look like men due to the androgenic side effects.
All these side effects make me wonder why some bodybuilders, athletes and fitness enthusiasts even bother with steroid use. Granted some steroids will pack on pounds and pounds of muscle and other steroids will help achieve a “hard as a rock” look, but the point of all the hard work spent exercising is (in my eyes) to look good, feel good, and improve the body. Being bald, acne covered, having gynecomastia, and urinating blood (because of liver and kidney problems) definitely does not fulfill the above requirements of improving the body, looking and feeling good. The benefits of use versus the negative side effects must be looked at before the use of steroids begins with anyone. Even so, some may still opt to use steroids to “improve” their physique and others may use the anabolic/ androgenic steroids due to medical conditions.
Works Cited
Audesirk, T. and G. Audeserk. 2001. Biology: Life on Earth, Sixth Ed.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Goldman, B. 1984. Death in the Locker Room-Steroids, Cocaine, and
Sports. Tucson, Arizona: Body Press.
Taylor, W. 1982. Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete. Jefferson, North
Carolina: McFarland and Co.
Taylor, W. 1985. Hormonal Manipulation. Jefferson, North Carolina:
McFarland and Co.
Wadler, G. and B. Hainline. 1989. Drugs and the Athlete. Philadelphia:
Davis Co.
