According to recent research from JBHNews, many bodybuilders use steroids in order to achieve their desired physique.
Both men and women use anabolic steroids to build muscles , however, it’s mostly men. So, if you’ve ever wondered, does bodybuilding cause breast development or testicular enlargement, the answer is a definite yes .
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of male hormones . They allow bodybuilders to develop larger , stronger muscles. They are also used to improve sports performance.
Although some bodybuilders use pharmaceutical grade anabolic steroids, many take illegal versions . Legal anabolic steroids are usually obtained from online pharmacies. However , these steroids aren’t as strong as illegal ones.
The history of bodybuilding is fascinating. It’s linked to World War II and the recognition that the physique of men was changing .
In 1943, the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) began lobbying against the use of steroids in the military . Their efforts were successful , and in 1944 the US government banned all non-medical use of anabolic steroids.
However, the ban on medical use of steroids didn’t last long. In 1952 , the government relaxed the ban to allow physicians to prescribe them to military personnel who were involved in combat operations .
In the 1960s and ’70s , the use of anabolic steroids exploded. This was because of the rise of professional bodybuilding .
Today , there are tens of thousands of competitive bodybuilders who use anabolic steroids . These men have extremely muscular bodies and often resemble Greek statues.
So , if you’re wondering how does bodybuilding work, you might want to take a look at this guide to bodybuilding .
What is bodybuilding ?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association , ” Bodybuilding involves a systematic approach to weight control that prepares an individual for competition in bodybuilding .”
It can be argued that bodybuilding is a form of athletics . However , it differs because it focuses on strength and conditioning rather than speed or agility.
In order to compete in a bodybuilding competition , you need to follow a carefully structured training programme. You need to increase your muscle mass and your strength, which is called hypertrophy .
To increase muscle strength, you need to lift heavy weights. These exercises are known as resistance exercises. With time , your body will become used to lifting heavier weights and your muscles will become bigger .
An important feature of bodybuilding is diet . You need to follow a diet that increases your muscle mass and allows your muscles to recover quickly between training sessions.
The History of Bodybuilding
The history of bodybuilding is linked to the beginning of the industrial revolution and the rise of mass culture .
The Industrial Revolution changed all aspects of life , but particularly how people looked .
Before the Industrial Revolution, people were mainly concerned with their physiques. However , the new machines meant men needed strong muscles to operate them .
To satisfy this need , high-speed production lines were created that required strong workers . Men were therefore forced to exercise every day. This became known as bodybuilding.
As society developed , the physique of both men and women changed. Men and women needed new occupations that required slimmer physiques .
After World War II, American businessman Joe Weider started promoting bodybuilding competitions. In 1946 , he began publishing the widely read magazine The International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB). It created a large following of bodybuilders who aspired to compete and win .
How do Steroids Work ?
You might be wondering how does bodybuilding work if you already understand how steroids work . Steroids are synthetic versions of male hormones like testosterone. Steroids are much stronger than naturally occurring hormones.
At a basic level, steroids work by mimicking the effects of testosterone in the body. Testosterone is produced by the testicles and the adrenal glands . It regulates the growth and maintenance of both sexual and non-sexual characteristics such as bone structure , muscle, and fat distribution.
When a male takes steroids, the testicles make more testosterone than normal. This increases the production of testosterone in the body. However, this increased production of testosterone is not sustained. Therefore , taking steroids for extended periods of time can lead to long-term health problems .
Steroids can be classified into two groups: anabolic steroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids .
Anabolic steroids work by mimicking the effects of testosterone by increasing protein synthesis and increasing the number of muscle fibers in the body .
A typical adverse reaction of anabolic steroid use is increased aggression and irritability . Also , the testicles may start to produce an unusual amount of semen and a man’s voice may deepen.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are similar to anabolic steroids , but are less potent. They act in a similar way to testosterone in the body by stimulating protein synthesis and increasing the number of muscle fibers in the body .
A typical adverse reaction of anabolic-androgenic steroid use is acne and oily skin. Also , the testicles might stop producing semen completely.
What Are the Risks of Using Steroids ?
All drugs have potential side effects. Anabolic steroids are no exception to this . Some of the most common side effects include:
- increased aggression and irritability
- skin rashes and oily skin
- cantereal enlargement
- testicular enlargement
- breast growth
- possible acne
- possible hair loss
- erectile dysfunction
- possible liver problems
- possible overdose
What Are the Difference between Anabolic Anabolic Androgenic Steroids ?
There are three main types of anabolic steroids: androgenic-anabolic steroids, androgenic-androgenic steroids , and anabolic-androgenic steroids .
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are similar to anabolic steroids in that they mimic the effects of testosterone in the body by stimulating protein synthesis and increasing the number of muscle fibers in the body .
Their side effects are similar to anabolic steroids’ side effects. However , their side effects are usually milder than anabolic steroids’ side effects .
Anadrol and Dianabol are examples of anabolic steroids that are androgenic-anabolic steroids . They are most commonly used by bodybuilders.
Androgenic-androgenic steroids do not act like testosterone in the body at all. Instead , they block testosterone’s effects in the body by converting testosterone into estrogen .
Their side effects are similar to anabolic steroids’. However , they cause fewer side effects than anabolic steroids’ side effects .
What Are the Legal Consequences of Using Anabolic Steroids ?
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are classified as Schedule III controlled substances in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C . 812).
Anabolic androgenic steroids are also classed as Schedule III controlled substances in the United Kingdom under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) (Section 2) .
The CSA limits the possession, use, and distribution of anabolic steroids to licensed medical professionals and athletic teams . The CSA also limits the amount that can be prescribed to licensed medical professionals and athletic teams to 90 days’ supply at a time , although many medical professionals prescribe more than this.
However , the CSA does not regulate the possession and use of anabolic steroids by individuals without a prescription. This means that it is illegal to possess anabolic steroids without a prescription . It is also illegal to buy or sell them without a license.
How Can You Know If you have Anabolic Steroid Use Disorder ?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines anabolic steroid abuse as a pattern of abuse that involves the use of anabolic steroids for non-therapeutic purposes or that may involve the use of large amounts of any particular steroid or combination of steroids for non-therapeutic purposes . This pattern of abuse includes:
- discontinuation of family and/or social obligations
- increased use of other substances like alcohol
- increased use of money
- increased time spent using substances
- impaired judgment
- increased frequency of engaging in risky behaviors
- use of substances in risky situations
- social problems
- depression
- anxiety
- cognitive impairment