Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

“Anabolic Androgenic Steroids” you’ve heard the term and in most cases its more than likely been in a negative way. While there is a lot of negative speech most people truly have no idea what these hormones really are; in-fact, most do not realize they’re actually hormones. By the way in-which they’re often portrayed many are left thinking there’s little difference in anabolic androgenic steroids and cocaine or heroin and while they are classified as drugs “hormones” is actually the correct classification.

You’ve heard the horror stories, you’ve seen the news but if you look and listen closely you’ll begin to notice you’ve probably never heard anything that is presented in a rational and logical way. If you listen closely you’ll quickly find most of the discussion rest on shaky ground; so the obvious question is wherein lies the truth, what are anabolic androgenic steroids? Read closely, for many of you this will be the first time you’ve ever seen anabolic androgenic steroids portrayed in their true light.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids 101:

Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic compounds derived from the androgens Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone with Testosterone being primary. Derived from the primary male sex hormones it remains Testosterone is by-which all anabolic androgenic steroids find their initial existence. By their very nature anabolic androgenic steroids are hormones, hormones by-which the body produces naturally; in this case they are simply synthetic versions but once in the administered to the body in exogenous fashion the body makes no distinguishing differences in the hormones initial place of origin. These are not foreign substances; in-fact, Aspirin is more of a foreign substance to the body than anabolic androgenic steroids; after all, whether you want to or not your body produces testosterone.

To understand anabolic androgenic steroids we can learn a lot simply by the phrase itself. Let’s take a look at this three word phrase and break it down so the simplest of us of all can understand:

• Anabolic: this word refers to “Anabolism” or in more simplistic terms “muscle building.
• Androgenic: this word refers to male sex characteristics and is based on “Androgen.”
• Steroids: a molecular structure containing four carbon rings of an organic compound nature.

These definitions provide us a general means of understanding but as you may or may not know there are actually numerous forms of anabolic androgenic steroids and each one while a steroid carries with it varying levels of anabolic and androgenic characteristics and power. Many steroids are more androgenic in nature while others are more anabolic with a few being equal in both parts. To determine the anabolic and androgenic nature of a particular steroid, such basing is based on the primary anabolic androgenic steroid Testosterone. Testosterone carries an anabolic rating of 100 and an androgenic rating of 100 as well and by these ratings all other anabolic androgenic steroids are measured.

Functions:

While all anabolic androgenic steroids carry their own specific levels of anabolic and androgenic power there are similar traits most all share. While these traits may vary in power within each and every one and while some will carry all traits most anabolic androgenic steroids carry a primary role with many secondary characteristics. There are some that carry the primary role of building mass, others carry the primary role of increasing strength, while still others carry the primary role of aiding in total metabolic action leading and lending to enhanced conditioning. Of course there are some anabolic androgenic steroid of high versatile natures that possess all of these traits and roles in seemingly equal levels.

What about direct function and mode of action? There are specific traits most all anabolic androgenic steroids provide and in this list we will find each steroid to possess varying power in each. The basic traits of anabolic androgenic steroids include but are not limited to:

• Increased Nitrogen Retention in the Muscles
• Increased Protein Synthesis
• Increased Red Blood Cell Production
• Increased IGF-1 Production
• Decreased Glucocorticoid Steroid Production
• Increased Metabolic Efficiency
• Increased Nutrient Efficiency
• Increase Cell Repair & Rejuvenation

That little list may not sound like much but when we look at what it can provide in a more direct fashion we can begin to understand the power anabolic androgenic steroids provide. The benefits of use can include and are not limited to:

• Increased Lean Tissue (Muscle Mass)
• Increased Strength
• Decreased Body-Fat
• Increased Recovery Time (Healing)
• Greater Athletic Performance
• A More Defined & Pronounced Physique
• Increased Sex Drive
• An Increased & Greater Sense of Well-Being

The Down Side:

Anabolic androgenic steroids are very powerful hormones that can provide amazing benefits; this no one can deny. However, like all things in life there are possible adverse side-effects that may occur due to use. By-in-large the side-effects of anabolic androgenic steroid use is avoidable when use is of a responsible nature and when use is undertaken by healthy adult men. It is also important to remember such side-effects are by no means guaranteed; when we speak of side-effects we are speaking in-terms of possible and the potential and probability varies with each and every form. Again, and it cannot be overstated, responsible use greatly improves ones odds.

The following list contains all the possible side-effects of use and it should be noted this is a general list that encompasses all anabolic androgenic steroids. Some steroids will carry more possible side-effects and some less; we cannot take all of these side-effects and attach them to each and every steroid; again, this is a general list to encompass all possible side-effects of all anabolic androgenic steroids. Further, it is also important to remember dosing plays a very important role; in many cases the higher the dose the greater the risk but perhaps more importantly is individual response. As we are all unique individuals each and every one of us will respond a little differently. The majority of healthy adult men who supplement responsibly will not have any problems but just as some people are allergic to milk and some people cannot take simple Aspirin some men even when responsible may have a problem. The possible side-effects of anabolic androgenic steroid use include:

• Gynecomastia (Male Breast Enlargement)
• Excess Water Retention
• Acne
• Hair Loss
• High Blood Pressure
• High LDL Cholesterol
• Low HDL Cholesterol
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Night Sweats
• Testicular Atrophy
• Body Hair Growth (Females)
• Clitoral Enlargement (Females)
• Disruption of the Menstrual Cycle (Females)

Almost all of these side-effects can be controlled and almost each and every one is completely avoidable. For many, side-effects will not occur until the dosing reaches a certain level and for others they will only occur with specific anabolic androgenic steroids. Then there are genetic based steroidal side-effects like hair-loss and even acne to a degree. Of course there is one side-effect due to use that is assured in all men and that is testicular atrophy. Anabolic androgenic steroids suppress our natural testosterone production and as testosterone is produced in the testicles, as it is now suppressed they simply lose a little of their fullness. However, this is a very temporary effect as they will regain their normal fullness once steroid use is discontinued and natural testosterone productions begins yet again.

The End Game:

You may have noticed there was not once a mention of death; that’s because in all of history there has yet to be one recorded death due to anabolic androgenic steroid use. You may have also noticed there was no mention of roid rage and there is good reason for that. Anabolic androgenic steroids can increase aggression but typically not in the manner by-which they are often attributed. Scientifically and medically “Roid Rage” does not exist, steroids can make you more aggressive but they cannot chemically alter your brain or take away your free will and decision making process. If you’re already a big fat jerk steroids will probably make you a more aggressive big fat jerk this is true but if you’re a normal human being who is not predisposed to violet behavior you’ll still be the same person when anabolic androgenic steroids are used; you’ll simply be more aggressive with your goals, such as training and athletics.

In the end the truth is simple; these are very powerful hormones, these are very beneficial hormones and they deserve our respect. When we supplement responsibly taking necessary precautions to ensure we are supplementing safely, almost each and every time the only thing that will occur will be a positive experience. We cannot say this will happen each and every time, again, we are all unique individuals and some will fall prey to side-effects even when responsible use is implored. Such is the case with all medications, all hormones, all foods and for the most part all things in life. If you decide to supplement with anabolic androgenic steroids, while there is no 100% guarantee in safety the odds are strongly in your favor and we do mean strongly if you supplement responsibly and if you are a healthy adult male. Before you being supplemental use you are encouraged to discuss your health with your doctor and to keep an eye on it during the course of use. Further, you are strongly encouraged to seek out specific information on each and every steroid you are considering supplementing with so as to not allow any surprises to become a reality. If you can do this you will almost always enjoy the progress you’ve been searching and striving for; that is the truth.