Where did anabolic steroids first appear? Negative and positive aspects of steroids? Read the article and find out the answers to these and many other questions. Steroids have become a unique group of drugs. The initial purpose of the release of these substances was their use in medicine, for example, for bedridden patients or AIDS patients, in order to somehow maintain their muscle mass. But over time, steroids have found more widespread use in sports. Most athletes around the world resort to their help, but this is not surprising, because with the help of these drugs, which, in fact, are an artificial formula of testosterone and, accordingly, a doping for the male body, it is possible to achieve significantly better performance in a shorter time. everything in order.
History of the emergence of steroids
The first stimulants that began to be used in sports to improve their results have been known since ancient Greece. Athletes ate sesame seeds to increase stamina, drank a mixture of wine and strychnine, and ate hallucinogenic mushrooms. Of course, these were far from steroids, but there was interest in substances that could increase strength and endurance even then. Later mentions of stimulants appeared in the mid-19th century, when cyclists took a heroin-cocaine mixture to improve their endurance at a distance. The result of such experiments turned out to be disastrous, in 1886 one of the cyclists died directly during the competition. After that, the search began for other possible means of doping, which turned out to be testosterone.
The first experiments with this hormone began in 1889, by a French scientist, but its final formula was derived in 1935, on May 25, by Ernest Lucker, a professor of pharmacology from Amsterdam. In parallel, other scientists were engaged in finding a way to obtain testosterone, namely Leopold Ruzicka and Adolf Butenant, who patented their research, for which they received the Nobel Prize in this area. From that moment on, the first testosterone-based preparations began to be produced. The only problem that arose was the oiliness of the substance, which is why it did not dissolve in water, and, accordingly, did not give the desired effect if taken orally. But even here pharmacists found a way out, an improved formula of the substance was developed, which began to be used in the form of injections for better absorption of the drug.
History of steroids in sports
In 1954, at the World Weightlifting Championships, dominated by the bodybuilders of the Soviet Union, the American team doctor Ziegler was present, who became interested in the results of the athletes. According to unconfirmed reports, he met with the head physician of the USSR team and found out the reason for the superiority of the Union weightlifters, it turned out to be taking testosterone. Using the information received, the doctor began to develop a drug capable of surpassing the results of pure testosterone administration by Soviet athletes. And in 1956, the first official steroid drug, Dianabol, was released. Ziegler began to give this drug to his wards and their results began to differ significantly from other athletes in a positive way. This is how the production of steroids known today was started. But it should be noted that in professional sports, at various championships and the Olympic Games, since 1967, the intake of stimulating substances in the form of steroids has been prohibited. In the event of an increased level of testosterone in the blood of an athlete, he was disqualified for the period of the competition. But this fact does not prevent the use of steroids in bodybuilding or powerlifting, the demand for their use is growing every year, therefore, we can say that the history of anabolic steroids is far from over, in any case, they will definitely not leave sports in the coming years.
Anabolic and Androgenic Properties of Steroids
The group of steroids is much more extensive and it consists not only of anabolic steroids, but also of estrogens (female sex hormones) and corticosteroids (adrenal hormones). The second two types of these substances are actively used in medicine for the treatment of various diseases, but are not of interest to weightlifters. Only anabolic steroids are significant for sports, and we are talking about them in our article.
Testosterone has two main effects on the body:
- anabolic, the main effect that interests bodybuilders, its main task is to increase muscle growth;
- androgenic or masculine effect, it is responsible for male characteristics such as active hair growth, male body structure, narrow pelvis and broad shoulders, and characteristic facial features.
For athletes, it is the anabolic property of testosterone that is important, but there is not a single drug that would have only this steroid effect, androgenic signs are still present in them. But the main question is not in the presence of the androgenic effect, but in its relationship with the anabolic one. For example, there are drugs in which the maximum anabolic effect and the androgenic effect are minimized, to such a state that it looks like a natural physiological background, without causing additional hair growth and other visual changes. There are also medications where, on the contrary, the androgenic effect is overestimated or it is equal to the anabolic one. In fact, some and others have one common derivative - testosterone, but only on which androgenic or anabolic side was artificially synthesized in it in the drug more, the final result depends on its intake.
Modern pharmacology is trying to get away from the androgenic properties of synthesized testosterone as much as possible, since it is this side of it that causes a greater number of side effects, which we will write about later. It is simply impossible to completely reduce androgenic activity to zero, but a large number of steroids have a maximally increased anabolic effect, and against its background the scanty androgenic side is practically invisible.
Negative and positive aspects of steroids
Probably the most interesting thing for any novice athlete who wants to start taking steroids is what are the results awaiting him? What to expect from their application? What side effects can occur and what positive effect awaits it? We will try to answer these questions in this chapter.
Initially, it is important to note that there is not a single drug that has absolutely no side effects, contraindications and everything else, it is not in nature. So steroids are no exception, but if taken correctly, these negative consequences can be avoided.
Side effects and solutions
- Testicular atrophy. Due to the intake of artificial testosterone in the body, its hormone begins to be produced in a smaller amount. Where is testosterone produced? In the male endocrine glands, namely the testes. It is possible to avoid such a pathological process if the course of taking steroids does not exceed a month, such changes will not occur at all. If the course is much longer, it is recommended to take gonadotropin in parallel or at the end of the use of anabolic steroids, drink Tamoxifen for two weeks.
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Liver damage. After the endocrine system, the maximum effect of steroids is possibly on the liver. But even in this case, hepotoxicity can be avoided, that is, a violation of the liver in the robot. In order to avoid liver problems, it is recommended:
- give preference to injectable drugs, and not in the form of tablets, in which case the medication enters the bloodstream immediately, avoiding sedimentation in the internal organs;
- do not exceed the recommended intake dose, per day it should be about 20-30 mg, toxicity occurs when this figure is above 80 mg;
- do not use the methyl group of steroids.
- Gynecomastia. This side effect is the growth of the mammary glands in men, according to the female characteristics. In order to prevent such a mutation, which is irreversible in the event of its occurrence, it is necessary to initially resort to preventive measures. Similar actions consist in taking Tamoxifen, starting from the second week of the course of steroids, this is perhaps the main way to protect against gynecomastia. More often than other drugs, methandrostenolone and sustanol can cause this phenomenon, it is better not to resort to their use.
- Skin rashes or simply acne. This is a common side effect of any steroid, it occurs as a result of an increase in the amount of sebum and as a result of blockage of the sweat glands. It is possible to reduce this manifestation by personal hygiene and taking the drug Accutane.
- Increased blood cholesterol levels. Against the background of high cholesterol, concomitant diseases may occur. To maintain its normal concentration, it is recommended to take a course of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Problems with the cardiovascular system. The work of the heart is directly affected by both steroids and strength loads during exercise. In order to protect your heart, it is recommended:
- do not exceed the recommended dose of anabolic steroids;
- combine strength training with aerobic (cardio);
- monitor your cholesterol levels.
- Violation of the kidneys. Since all substances that enter the blood pass through the kidneys, they act as a filter in the body, filtering out and removing toxic elements from it. The effect on the kidneys will be minimal if the dose and the duration of the course of taking anabolic steroids are not exceeded. It is forbidden to take steroids for people with chronic renal failure.
- The risk of blood clots. When taking this group of drugs, blood clotting increases, the risk of bleeding decreases, but the risk of thrombophlebitis (thrombus formation, blood clot in the vessels) increases. A similar danger increases in persons after forty years, therefore, the use of cardiomagnyl is recommended.
- Stopping growth. Steroids accelerate the closure of the growth zone, so they are not recommended for athletes under 21 years of age.
Positive sides
- Muscle volume increases. Steroids stimulate protein synthesis in muscle mass by acting on certain receptors, thereby causing them to grow more actively.
- Improving power performance. All the same protein synthesis in the muscles causes a rush of blood to them and increases the number of elements responsible for muscle contraction, thereby adding strength to the athlete.
- Avoiding the breakdown of muscle tissue. During strength training, not only fats are burned, but also muscle tissue is partially destroyed, since the body feeds energy for exercising and from them too. And steroids have an anti-catabolic effect by preventing muscle fiber breakdown.
- Increased endurance. Taking anabolic steroids increases the level of glycogen in muscles, which is a kind of fuel for exercise. And the increase in pressure promotes blood flow to the muscles, also increasing their performance.
- Emotional euphoria. This specific condition while taking a course of steroids makes it easier to endure stressful situations and various psycho-emotional stress during the competition.
Which steroids are best for you?
Which drug to give preference depends on the goal you are pursuing.
The best for gaining muscle mass are:
- Retabolil or Deca Durabolin;
- Anadrol;
- Testosterone;
- Sustanon;
- Dianobol;
- Trenbolone.
To improve the relief and dry the body:
- Winstrol;
- Masteron;
- Anavar;
- Testosterone propionate.
To increase power performance, Anavar and Winstrol are considered the best.
Important! The choice of the right course, with the selection of the correct dosage and the timing of their admission, is best left to a qualified specialist in this field. The independent choice of one or another drug can cause unpleasant consequences for the whole organism. Summing up, I would like to note that anabolic steroids have become a good help for athletes around the world. If you take their choice with all responsibility, their reception can significantly improve your sports achievements while not disrupting the work of the body. Active training in combination with diet and steroid use will help you achieve the desired results and get a beautiful, toned and sculpted body!
Video - truth and fiction about steroids:
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