Anabolic steroids are synthetic sex hormones called androgens. But unlike androgens, steroids have a pronounced anabolic effect, which allows athletes to build mass, increase strength, endurance, speed and response. Best of all, the effect of taking steroids is manifested on muscle tissue (muscles) - they begin to grow, increase in size, thicken, and some anabolic steroids even fill the muscles with blood. The result: a beautifully muscular athlete's body and incredible strength, which Superman himself would advise.
Muscle dream
During the glaciation period, our ancestors were much more massive and more due to muscle mass. They needed it to hunt mammoths, win saber-toothed tigers in battle, save beautiful ladies from ravines, carry heavy boulders, i.e. survive. In the process of evolution, muscle mass decreased due to unnecessary use - now the strongest representative of the family survived, and the main sign of natural selection was not the weight of muscles, but the weight of the brain, in other words, intelligence. Only primates such as gorillas and other human-like apes retained muscle mass.
However, there are people who dream of having gorgeous muscles and incredible strength. Nobody knows what it is - curiosity, the desire to be strong, to win sports competitions or the call of the ancestors, and it doesn't matter. More importantly, anabolic steroids allowed athletes to cross the genetic peak of muscle mass inherent in nature. This was made possible by changing hormonal balance and increasing androgenicity. In other words, steroids trick the genes that store all the information about our physical appearance and limiting muscle mass.
Large muscles - causes of early extinction?
There are scientific opinions that the larger the muscle, the earlier the death and the shorter the life of a person. This is not entirely true. It's just that evolution is arranged in such a way that it leads to the development of the intellect, not the muscular frame, and any interference with genes and hormonal levels, that is, with the system laid down by nature, lead to pathologies and various changes. It is strange to think that by taking anabolic steroids, you can avoid breakdowns in the body. We are responsible for the fact that we ourselves interfere in the process inherent in nature. Steroids give us a huge opportunity, but they demand for this price, which we may not notice for quite a long time.
The fact is that our cellular apparatus has its own system or set of rules created by the genome. During training, the muscle cell thickens, thickens, grows under the influence of protein and other biological processes. Its growth continues exactly until the genetic apparatus says "stop". But at this moment, a siren is turned on in the DNA cells, notifying of the need to use the genetic potential. What's happening? The DNA simply bifurcates, and the muscle cell is able to grow. The uniqueness of anabolic drugs lies in the fact that they accelerate the process of increasing DNA, the growth of muscle cells and, as a result, an increase in total muscle mass.
Can steroids be substituted?
Today we can say with confidence that anabolic steroids are unique drugs that have no analogues in nature. In any case, there are no such substances that would affect tissues as well, as strongly contribute to their growth. Until now, from time to time there are rumors about various experiments, trials, research and development of new steroids, devoid of androgenic and hormonal effects, but in fact we see only words and no action. Growth hormone (somatotropic hormone), which acts on a part of the brain, the pituitary gland, may be a quite suitable alternative. Its high efficiency has already been proven, and even production has been established. But there is one very significant drawback - growth hormone causes a side effect, in the form of diabetes. In any case, in 43% of 100% it makes itself felt.
Another substance that is actively used in the anabolic cycle is insulin, which is produced by our pancreas. The disadvantage of insulin is that it causes the growth of not only muscle, but also adipose tissue. Another disadvantage is that insulin lowers the sugar content and can lead to unconsciousness when there is simply not enough sugar. Despite its beneficial properties and the ability to build muscle, they refuse to use it in sports practice.
For a long time, scientists experimented with gonadotropic hormone, which is secreted by the pituitary gland and responds to an increase in androgens and estrogens. At first, its anabolic effect was perceived by athletes with a bang. Gonadotropin is good because after taking it, the body continues to produce its own hormones, does not get used to it. Today, gonadotropin is actively used in bodybuilding. Scientists insist that it has no obvious side effects, and the ability to enhance anabolic reactions is incredibly high. So far, gonadotropin is the favorite among steroids that are not nearly as powerful as testosterone and its esters.
Non-hormonal steroid analogues
It may sound strange, but non-hormonal analogs also have an anabolic effect. Of course, they are not able to build muscle in the way that injectable and pill testosterone does, however, they still have some effect, and therefore are in demand among athletes who adhere to safe muscle growth and the proverb "the quieter you go, the further you will be." These include niacin, for example. Calcium pantothenate has proven itself well. Scientists' experiments have shown that both carnitine and flavinate have an anabolic effect. There are anabolic steroids and vitamins - this is the well-known riboxin (pictured above).
Another popular vitamin with the same effect is potassium orotate. Recently, research has revolved around picamilon and nootropil. Also used are acephene and oxybutyrate, as well as gutimine. Of course, the strength of the action of all these substances cannot reach the effect shown by the intake of anabolic steroids. Moreover, their use is strictly individual. When prescribing and using, physical indicators, goals, weight, age, as well as a blood test for sex hormones, must be taken into account. You need to understand that the use of any drugs that affect the hormonal background is not a joke or a game, because the vital activity of the organ system and the whole organism depends on them.
