How Do Anabolic Steroids Affect the Body?

TL;DR

Anabolic steroids can accelerate muscle growth dramatically, but they also affect the heart, brain, hormones, skin, hair, fertility, mood, and connective tissue. Their visible benefits can obscure serious tradeoffs, including cardiovascular dysfunction, anxiety, accelerated brain aging, body dysmorphia, injuries, suppressed natural testosterone production, injection complications, and a higher observed death rate among users.

Transcript

the problem with steroids is that they work like really work that's probably irresponsible for me to say but if we're going to talk about the steroid epidemic we need to do it honestly here's a 3-we trend cycle update for you guys buying Trend in Thailand steroids build muscle way faster than something like creatine it's not even close if you start... Read More

Key Insights

• Anabolic steroids are substantially more effective for muscle growth than creatine, with the transcript contrasting roughly 2 lb of extra muscle from a year of daily creatine against about 20 lb from a normal bodybuilding steroid dose, depending on genetics and dosage.
• Testosterone enanthate works by releasing testosterone gradually from an injected oil deposit, after which enzymes remove its attached carboxy group and binding proteins carry the testosterone through the bloodstream into cells, including muscle cells.
• Heart enlargement is a dangerous consequence of steroid exposure because testosterone can make heart cells grow, particularly in the left ventricle. The added bulk can impair the heart's ability to squeeze and relax effectively, increasing the risk of heart failure.
• Steroid-related psychological effects can include anxiety, aggression, disturbing thoughts, and reduced aspects of intelligence. These effects may vary with the dose and compound, with trenbolone described as causing more anxiety than milder compounds such as Primobolan.
• Steroid use is associated with an increased brain age gap, according to the discussed MRI study of more than 200 weightlifters. Enhanced lifters' brains appeared older than expected for their actual ages, suggesting faster brain aging than among natural lifters.
• Body dysmorphia can worsen with steroid use because increased muscularity may not produce greater satisfaction with appearance. Coming off steroids can also cause users to lose a substantial portion of their added size, potentially encouraging repeated or escalating use.
• Natural testosterone production can shut down when injected testosterone signals that the body already has enough. The transcript says the testicles can shrink to about 1/2 of their usual size, and some users may consequently need lifelong testosterone injections.
• Rapid steroid-driven strength gains can increase injury risk because connective tissue may not adapt as quickly as muscular strength. Users may continue adding weight because it feels manageable, even though their connective tissues are not prepared for the same rate of progression.

Questions & Answers

Q: How much more muscle can steroids build than creatine?

The transcript estimates that taking 5 gr of creatine every day for a year could add about 2 lb of extra muscle, while steroids at a normal bodybuilding dose could add about 20 lb during that year. The exact steroid result may be higher or lower depending on genetics and how much is taken.

Q: How does injected testosterone enanthate work in the body?

Testosterone enanthate is a testosterone molecule with a carboxy group attached, dissolved in vegetable oil for injection. The oil spreads between muscle fibers, and testosterone molecules gradually enter the bloodstream. Enzymes called esterases remove the carboxy group, then binding proteins transport the testosterone to cells, where it signals processes that increase tissue growth.

Q: How do anabolic steroids affect the heart?

Anabolic steroids can make heart cells grow because the heart is also a muscle and responds to testosterone. Growth of the left ventricle is especially concerning because the additional bulk can make it harder for the heart to squeeze and relax. This can reduce pumping efficiency and increase the user's risk of heart failure.

Q: What psychological effects can steroids cause?

Steroids can cause high anxiety in many users, with the severity depending on the dose and compound. The transcript also describes aggression, disturbing recurring thoughts, and degradation in some aspects of intelligence. Trenbolone is presented as producing more anxiety than milder compounds such as Primobolan, although individual experiences can differ.

Q: Can anabolic steroids make body dysmorphia worse?

Steroids may worsen body dysmorphia because becoming larger does not necessarily make someone feel satisfied with their appearance. Users may expect enhancement to produce an ideal physique, but taking steroids does not guarantee that result. When they stop, losing a substantial portion of the added size can make them feel smaller and encourage renewed or increased use.

Q: Why do steroids cause testicular shrinkage and hormonal shutdown?

Injected testosterone signals to the testicles that the body already has more than enough testosterone available. In response, the testicles can shrink to about 1/2 of their usual size, and the body's natural testosterone production can shut down quickly. The transcript warns that some users may ultimately need to continue injecting testosterone for the rest of their lives.

Q: Why can steroid users face a higher risk of gym injuries?

Steroids can make muscular strength rise faster than connective tissue can adapt. When a previously difficult weight suddenly feels much easier, a user may continue pushing heavier loads instead of holding back. Because the connective tissue has not kept pace with muscular strength, this mismatch can contribute to severe and unnecessary injuries during training.

Q: What other physical complications can steroid use cause?

Steroid use can contribute to shrinking hair follicles, accelerated hair loss, breast tissue growth in men, acne, increased libido, and suppressed natural testosterone production. Underground products may also cause severe injection-site reactions or abscesses requiring hospitalization, surgical opening, and drainage. Drugs taken to manage steroid side effects can introduce additional side effects of their own.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Steroids build muscle far faster than creatine by exposing muscle cells to high levels of testosterone. Injected testosterone enters the bloodstream, binds to carrier proteins, and reaches cells where it signals DNA to increase tissue growth. The same process can also enlarge the heart and reduce its ability to pump effectively.

• Steroid use can affect mental health and brain function as well as physical appearance. Reported effects include severe anxiety, aggression, disturbing thoughts, reduced aspects of intelligence, and an older-looking brain on MRI scans. Steroids may also worsen body dysmorphia because gaining size does not guarantee satisfaction with appearance.

• Additional effects include hair loss, breast tissue growth, acne, testicular shrinkage, reduced natural testosterone production, increased libido, and injection-site abscesses. Rapid strength gains may outpace connective tissue adaptation and increase injury risk. A long-term study also found a striking excess death rate among young steroid users compared with nonusers.