“I’m not on steroids, but thanks for asking”

Anabolic steroids (also known as steroids, juice or roids) are man-made medications related to testosterone (the male sex hormone). Doctors use anabolic steroids to treat hormone problems in men, delayed puberty and muscle loss due to some deceases. Bodybuilders and athletes may misuse anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance, often taking doses much higher than would be prescribed for a medical condition.

Anabolic steroids affect a part of the brain called the limbic system, which controls mood. Long-term steroid abuse can lead to aggressive behavior and extreme mood swings. This is sometimes referred to as “roid-rage”. Steroids can lead you to feeling paranoid (like someone or something is out to get you), jealousy, delusions (belief in something that is not true) and feeling invincible (like nothing can hurt or harm you).

Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked to serious health problems. These include high blood pressure, enlarged heart, heart attacks and strokes, liver disease, kidney problems and severe acne. In males it can result in breast growth, shrinking of testicles, low sperm count and an increased risk for prostate cancer. Women can experience a deepening of the voice, growth of facial hair, baldness and enlargement of the clitoris.

Anabolic steroids can be addictive. Addiction to steroids is different compared to other drugs of misuse, because users don’t become high when using them. However, consumers can experience withdrawal symptoms. People who become addicted to
steroids keep using them, despite the bad effects on their bodies and lives. When they stop using steroids, they can experience uncomfortable symptoms such as feeling depressed, mood swings, feeling tired or restless, loss of appetite, being unable to sleep and the desire to take more steroids.