.gif "IP Gear")
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2023
- Messages
- 74
Anabolic steroids, often called Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) or simply "steroids", "roids" or "gear", are synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of the natural male sex hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
AAS are not the same as other steroids such as the common anti-inflammatory corticosteroid cortisone.
AAS increases protein synthesis within cells, which causes the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in skeletal muscles. They also have androgenic and virilizing effects, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair.
Different AAS have different ratios of anabolic to androgenic activity.
AAS are chiefly used in medicine to replace low testosterone, stimulate appetite, and treat chronic wasting conditions.
AAS, in the presence of an adequate diet, causes increases in body weight, often as lean mass. Gains in muscle size (hypertrophy) and strength achieved through high-intensity exercise and proper diet can be increased by the use of AAS.
There are two main types of AAS: oral and injectable. Oral AAS in tablet form is "alkylated" to reduce neutralization by the liver, and can be liver-toxic to some degree. Injectable steroids are mostly "esterified" to vary absorption rates and carried in sterile oil which is injected intramuscularly.
In bodybuilding and strength sports AAS are invariably self-administered in "cycles" of several tens of milligrams to several grams a week, lasting from six to twelve weeks or longer. Sometimes several AAS and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDS) are used in combinations - "stacked".
Long-term use or excessive doses of AAS can cause temporary or permanent suppression of the body's own testosterone production; water retention; increase or reduction in sex drive (libido); erectile dysfunction; baldness; "gyno": gynecomastia (male breast growth); liver damage (mainly with oral steroids); and high blood pressure and raised hematocrit (red blood cell count) which increase the chance of stroke and heart attack.
AAS are prohibited drugs in many countries. In the UK supplying AAS without a valid licence and prescription is illegal, but limited import for self-use and possession are not.
Anyone considering using AAS should ensure they are as fully aware as possible of their effects, side effects, benefits, and risks.
AAS are not the same as other steroids such as the common anti-inflammatory corticosteroid cortisone.
AAS increases protein synthesis within cells, which causes the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in skeletal muscles. They also have androgenic and virilizing effects, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair.
Different AAS have different ratios of anabolic to androgenic activity.
AAS are chiefly used in medicine to replace low testosterone, stimulate appetite, and treat chronic wasting conditions.
AAS, in the presence of an adequate diet, causes increases in body weight, often as lean mass. Gains in muscle size (hypertrophy) and strength achieved through high-intensity exercise and proper diet can be increased by the use of AAS.
There are two main types of AAS: oral and injectable. Oral AAS in tablet form is "alkylated" to reduce neutralization by the liver, and can be liver-toxic to some degree. Injectable steroids are mostly "esterified" to vary absorption rates and carried in sterile oil which is injected intramuscularly.
In bodybuilding and strength sports AAS are invariably self-administered in "cycles" of several tens of milligrams to several grams a week, lasting from six to twelve weeks or longer. Sometimes several AAS and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDS) are used in combinations - "stacked".
Long-term use or excessive doses of AAS can cause temporary or permanent suppression of the body's own testosterone production; water retention; increase or reduction in sex drive (libido); erectile dysfunction; baldness; "gyno": gynecomastia (male breast growth); liver damage (mainly with oral steroids); and high blood pressure and raised hematocrit (red blood cell count) which increase the chance of stroke and heart attack.
AAS are prohibited drugs in many countries. In the UK supplying AAS without a valid licence and prescription is illegal, but limited import for self-use and possession are not.
Anyone considering using AAS should ensure they are as fully aware as possible of their effects, side effects, benefits, and risks.
