Chemphs term paper

            As defined in the Encyclopedia, steroids are a large group of naturally occurring and synthetic lipids or fat-soluble chemicals, with a great diversity of physiological activity.  Included among the steroids are certain alcohols (sterols), bile acids, many important hormones, some natural drugs and poisons found in the skin of some toads.  Cholesterol, a major contributor to arteriosclerosis, is a sterol.  Steroid hormones, which are similar to but not identical with sterols, include the adrenal cortical steroids hydrocortisone, cortisone, aldosterone and progesterone and the female and male sex hormones, Estrogen and Testosterone.  Most oral contraceptives are synthetic steroids consisting of female synthetic derivatives of this substance. There are many types of steroids including Testosterone, Winstrol, Clenbuteral, Clomid, Dynabolon, Deca Durabolin, Sustanon, Finapliz, Equipoise and Nubian.  Most of these are Anabolic Steroids.

            Testosterone is a male hormone. It is considered a synthetic male hormone manufactured for the purpose of achieving muscle growth.  It comes in many different esters.  The more prevalent Testosterone Esters are Cypionate, Enanthate, propionate and Suspension.

            Winstrol is a common brand name for the drug stanazolol.  It is a 17-aa steroid designed for oral administration but it is also available in injectible form.  It is classified as an anabolic. People take it for body building. There is strict government control on it and it is very expensive.  There are many forms of counterfeit Winstol so one must be very careful when purchasing it.    

            Clenbuterol is known as a sympathomimetic.  It is taken to mimic adrenaline and noradrenaline in the human body.  It is selective beta-2 agonist that is used tostimulate the beta-receptors in fat and muscle tissue in the body.  It does work well as a fat burner but not as a body builder. 

            Clomid is a brand name for the drug clomiphene citrate.  It is usually prescribed for women to help in ovulation.  In men the natural lever of testosterone production is increased with this drug.  The effect of this drug is beneficial to athletes, especially when they are discontinuing the use of steroids.  It plays a crucial role in preventing a crash in athletic performance.  Clomiphene citrate is widely available on the black market.  Until recently it was easy to get it through foreign mail order.  Clomid is becoming harder to obtain. 

            Dynabolon is used by athletes for muscle gain.  It also goes hand in hand with gain in strength.  The increases in body weight and improved strength are the result of water retention in tissues and joints.  Bodybuilders who use the drug usually inject it twice a week.  Female athletes rarely use it since they prefer Durabolin which is discussed next and has a shorter duration of effectiveness.

            Deca Durabolin is an inject able steroid.  It is a low androgenic steroid with high anabolic properties.  It is good for developing size and strength.  It can be used by almost all athletes with very low side effects. 

            Sustanon is an oil-based injectable containing four different testosterone compounds.  It is an androgenic steroid with a pronounced anabolic effect.  It leads to less water retention an estrogenic side effects.  When first starting the drub you can expect to gain about 20 pounds within a couple of months.  The counterfeit drug is rarely seen on the US black market. 

Finaplix is a veterinary cattle implant which contains the potent androgenic steroid trenbolone acetate.  It is the same drug which was once available as an injectable in the US labeled Finaject.  It is very effective at burning fat.  It can be very toxic especially to the kidneys. 

Equipoise or boldenone undecylenate is a favorite veterinary steroid for many athletes.  Its effects are strongly anabolic.  It will provide a steady and consistent gain in mass and strength. Muscle hardness and density can be improved when it is combined with Parabola or Winstrol.  If injections are made too often an oil abscess will form at the injection site.  If this happens a doctor will have to drain the site. 

The last one is Nubain which is a popular pain killer used by bodybuilders or weight lifters to combat injuries and break through the “pain barrier”.  It is also highly addictive. 

      

Anabolic Steroids are a big part of society today.  Almost all professional body builders are taking or have taken anabolic steroids  Body building would not be where it is today without the use of steroids.  These steroids come in different shapes forms sizes and colors.  There are many more fakes/counterfeit steroids on the market than there are real steroids.  Fakes are sold because they are cheap to make and easy to sell.  They can be almost identical to the real thing.  Unless purchasing from a friend or relative the buyer should beware they will probably be scammed.  In the past Anabolic Steroids were mainly used by bodybuilder who were serious about bodybuilding.  However today steroids are being used more and more in all sports.  Athletes in football, baseball, hockey soccer, wrestling, track and field, cycling and swimming are using it.   Anabolic Steroids are used by individuals that simply want to change the way they look.  It is used as medication for specific diseases such as AIDS.  They help prevent muscle loss from the patient.   They are also used is professions that require above average strength such as the army, police officers and bouncers. 

The biggest problem with the anabolic steroids is the abuse by teenagers.  In many high schools sports are everything.  Students will do anything to be the best and get all the attention.  Because counterfeit steroids are such a big problem the high school students are probably taking fake steroids and no the real thing.  In any case, anabolic steroids should not be considered by athletes under the age of 18 year old because of all of the serious side effects.

There are many side effects associated with the use of steroids.  Some steroids lead to more side effects than others.  Usually the more effective the steroid the more negative affects the user will see. Water Retention, Acne, Gynecomastia, Aggression, hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Palpitations, Impotence and Jaundice are only some of the side effects. 

The most common side effect is water retention which cause puffiness or swelling in the neck and facial area.  It is rather noticeable especially if you know the person is on steroids.  Acne is a very common side effect.  It can give someone acne who has never had it before and it can make acne worse for others.  It can appear in new places such as the back and neck.

Gynecomastia is the formation of breast or abnormally large glands.  The first signs are lumps under the nipples which grow to fatty tissue and increase in size the longer the steroids are used.  Another side effect of steroid usage is Aggression also known as road rage.  Many times steroid users find themselves fighting more with family, friends and coworkers. 

High blood pressure can also happen during continued use of steroids.   If someone is using steroids they should get blood pressure tests regularly.  High blood pressure can lead to more serious diseases such as Cardiovascular or heart disease.  This is because steroids affect the cholesterol level.  Over a period of time the cholesterol builds up and clogs the arteries.     Heart palpitations have been reported by a number of athletes on steroids.  This may indicate an elevated level of the central nervous system. 

After prolonged use of steroids Impotence can occur.  High dosages of steroids can cause Jaundice which is a serious liver disease which is found by an enlarged painful liver, yellowing of the eyes and skin and flu like symptoms. 

Anabolic Steroids are intended for people with health related problems and not athletes looking to gain muscle mass.  Many body builders an athletes abuse steroids.  However the abuse is also among regular people who are disappointed with their bodies.  They abuse steroids to shed unwanted fat, or put on some weight.    The symptoms of steroid abuse in males are:

·         Quick and large muscle gains

·         Aggressive behavior and violent temper

·         Severe acne on shoulders, neck and face.

·         Premature balding

·         Abnormal breast development

The symptoms of steroid abuse in females are “man like” features, such as:

·         Deeper voice

·         Increase in body hair

·         Development of the jaw.

·         Smaller breasts

·         Fewer menstrual cycles.

If you are going to buy steroids the safest way is t purchase them from a pharmacy.  However that requires a prescription.  Most people get their steroids from friends, relatives or someone from the gym.  The person buying the steroids has no clue if they are real or fake.  Many people today are using the internet to buy steroids and other medications.  The biggest problem with the internet is there are scammers.  They pretend to be legit suppliers and simply take the customers money.  The customer can’t do anything about it because the whole process is illegal.  If someone found a possible source on the internet, they should check all the scammer lists to see if the possible source is on any of them.  They should ask for references (prior customers).  If the person is convinced the source is legit a small order should be made to test the source.  However, the person might wait for a bigger order to rip them off.

Another way to obtain anabolic steroids is to drive to Mexico and bring them back. Mexican pharmacies have a large supply of steroids.  This is illegal and very risky. 

There are two basic ways to take Anabolic steroids. 

1.      Orally through the mouth

2.       Injected into the body with a needle.

The majority of users try to stay away from the pill form because they put more stress on the liver.  Some steroids like winstrol have a short life and need to be taken several times a day.  The liquid form can also be taken orally. Some athlete will drink the steroid rather than turning their body into a pin cushion.  Injecting the steroid is the way most users go.  They inject once or twice a week.  The safest area of the body to inject are the glute, the shoulder and the thigh.  The user should have done much research before injecting their body with the steroid.  They need to know what type of needle, where to inject and how to withdraw the liquid. 

            In the 1970’s and 1980’s federal regulation of steroids came under the jurisdiction of the FDA.  Anabolic steroids were required to be prescribed and dispensed by licensed physicians but were not scheduled as controlled substances.  Under 1988 legislation criminal penalties were set for people in anabolic steroids for non-medical reasons. In the mid 1980’s because of media reports of increasing use of anabolic steroids in sports including high school sports, Congress became concerned.  They held hearings to determine whether the Controlled Substances Act should be amended to include anabolic steroids along with more serious drugs such as cocaine and heroin.  The majority of witnesses who testified including medical professional recommended against the proposed amendment to law. 

Under the Control Act possession of any Schedule III substance is a federal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and or a minimum fine of $1,000. Simple possession by a person with a previous conviction fro certain offenses including drug or narcotic crimes, must get imprisonment of at least 15 days and up to 2 years and a minimum fine of $2,500.  An individual who sells steroids or possess with intent to sell is punishable by up to five years in prison and or a $250,000 fine.  Each violation goes up ion years in prison and fines. 

            Steroids are hard on the body even though it may help its looks.  As discussed there are many negative side effects some more serious and long-lasting than others.  Is the increased performance for athletes or the change in body size or appearance worth all the risks of the side effects and possibility of being arrested for fined since it is illegal?  I don’t think so.  Steroids were meant for people with health related problems and should be use in that way.