Anabolic steroids have been a part of sporting culture for many years. Anabolic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics (i.e., deepening voice, facial hair). Athletes may use them to enhance performance.
Anabolic steroids are generally taken by mouth or injection. Some people abuse steroids to increase their endurance, aggressiveness, and strength for competition in sports. Others take them to increase muscle size, improve body appearance, or enhance athletic performance.
Risks of Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids can cause many adverse effects. These substances may also interact with other medications. Some of the side effects includes:
- Heart and blood vessel problems: Anabolic steroids may narrow the arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots. This can reduce or block blood flow to any organ, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Liver damage: Anabolic steroids may increase liver enzymes that help the liver deal with injury or infection. However, this may also increase the risk of liver damage when taking anabolic steroids.
- Kidney failure: Anabolic steroids may damage the kidneys. Kidney damage is a concern for all people who use anabolic steroids, not just older people or those with existing kidney disease.
- Acne: In people who have a tendency to develop acne, anabolic steroids may cause severe and painful acne.
- Shrunken testicles: In men, anabolic steroids can shrink and atrophy the testicles. This is a reversible condition if the steroids are stopped. However, continued use of anabolic steroids can lead to infertility and sexual dysfunction.
Steroid Laws and Penalties
Anabolic steroids are a controlled substance, which means they have a recognized medical use but also a high potential for abuse. All anabolic steroids are illegal to have or distribute. The possession of anabolic steroids with intent to distribute is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The distribution of anabolic steroids, a more serious crime than possession, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Anabolic steroids are often abused by people seeking to increase their endurance, aggressiveness, strength or muscle size. Some abuse these substances to enhance performance in sports. Some abusers use anabolic steroids merely to improve their physical appearance. These substances have been widely abused since the 1950s, but recent medical reports indicate that individuals from all walks of life may begin abusing these substances. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, steroid abuse is defined as taking higher than therapeutically recommended doses for an extended period of time, when the drug is used to increase muscle size or reduce fat.
What are banned steroids in the USA?
There are a number of anabolic steroids that are banned in USA and other countries. The following list shows some of the most common anabolic steroids that are banned in USA, including Oxymetholone, Stanozolol and others.
Banned Anabolic Steroids in the USA:
Oxymetholone (also known as Anadrol 50) is a very popular anabolic steroid that is used by athletes and bodybuilders. It is cheap and readily available on the black market. Oxymetholone has a reputation for increasing muscle size and strength, as well as promoting significant increases in body weight. Oxymetholone is chemically related to the hormone, hydroxymethyl-testosterone (17-hydroxy-2,5alpha-androstan-3-one) and has the following chemical structure:
Stanozolol (also known as Winstrol) is an injectable anabolic steroid that has a reputation for increasing strength, promoting muscle gains in physique sports and increasing muscle definition if you buy steroids online in usa. Stanozolol is chemically related to the hormone, dihydrotestosterone (17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-1-en-3-one) and has the following chemical structure: Stanozolol is a Class III steroid under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a naturally occurring androgen, with two additional hydrogen atoms at the 5th and 17th carbon positions. Dihydrotestosterone is structurally similar to testosterone, with the difference that it lacks the carbon atom at position three. At first, Stanozolol was not widely abused in the United States; however, this has changed and Stanozolol is now one of the most widely abused anabolic steroids in America.
Learn more about why steroids are banned in the USA by watching the YouTube below:
-
- Where Do People Get Steroids? And What Are The Risks? | Straight Facts–