Before contemplating the ethics and safety issues pertaining to anabolic steroids, it is important to understand how the drugs function. Artificial anabolic steroids imitate the hormone testosterone. Natural testosterone creates muscle through a complex process. The hormone binds with receptors in the bloodstream; the receptors communicate with muscle cells. Simply so, where there is more testosterone, there is more muscle. Athletes abuse synthetic testosterone in hopes of playing, stronger, faster, and in short, better.
The side effects that can occur as results of using anabolic steroids are more than frightening. Even with achieving the desired effect, users can become grotesque with muscle. The less fortunate can find themselves amidst a serious gender bender. Tampering with any human's natural hormones can cause unfortunate effects, especially with such gender based chemicals. The large increase of testosterone in female users can cause male features-- including increased facial and body hair, a deepened voice, and male-pattern baldness. In men, the extra hormones can result in a testosterone overdose. To compensate, the body may cease to naturally produce testosterone; or it may create large amounts of the female hormone, estrogen. This can cause reversed female characteristics in those male users. In young adults, anabolic steroids can produce the opposite of the user's wish; stunting growth instead of fast-forwarding. Prolonged use can cause more serious effects such as heart attack, stroke, and violent behavior.
Major sporting committees use random doping tests to keep their players in check. With any failed exam, the athlete will be likely stripped of titles and awards and be prohibited from further participation.
Helpful Links--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid
http://www.steroid.com/
hhttp://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html
The side effects that can occur as results of using anabolic steroids are more than frightening. Even with achieving the desired effect, users can become grotesque with muscle. The less fortunate can find themselves amidst a serious gender bender. Tampering with any human's natural hormones can cause unfortunate effects, especially with such gender based chemicals. The large increase of testosterone in female users can cause male features-- including increased facial and body hair, a deepened voice, and male-pattern baldness. In men, the extra hormones can result in a testosterone overdose. To compensate, the body may cease to naturally produce testosterone; or it may create large amounts of the female hormone, estrogen. This can cause reversed female characteristics in those male users. In young adults, anabolic steroids can produce the opposite of the user's wish; stunting growth instead of fast-forwarding. Prolonged use can cause more serious effects such as heart attack, stroke, and violent behavior.
Major sporting committees use random doping tests to keep their players in check. With any failed exam, the athlete will be likely stripped of titles and awards and be prohibited from further participation.
Helpful Links--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid
http://www.steroid.com/
hhttp://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html