Steroids 101 [Forum Archive]

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Steroids 101

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Posted by: Prince

Naturally produced steroids are the suprarenal cortical hormones, female sex hormones (estrogen and gestagen), and of course, the male sex hormones (androgens). Typically, when we hear the word "steroids" we think of the synthetically developed derivatives of testosterone, collectively known as "Anabolics" or "anabolic steroids". Steroids were first developed in the 1930's by German scientists and used on POW's.

Testosterone is perhaps the most important of the male sex hormones collectively called "androgens."

Testosterone is responsible for:

Testosterone is the most important representative of the male sex hormones collectively called androgens. Using cholesterol as a base, the male gonads (testes) produce between 4 and 10 mg of testosterone per day. Testosterone itself is responsible for three major functions in animals.

1) The development of secondary male sex characteristics also called the androgenic functions of testosterone. Some examples of these characteristics are increased growth of body hair, beard growth, deep voice, increased production of sebaceous glands, development of the penis, aggressiveness, sexual behavior, libido, and the maturation of sperm.

2) Promotion of the protein biosynthesis that are responsible for the highly anabolic characteristics of testosterone. This is a pretty important function. It accelerates muscle buildup, increases the formation of red blood cells, speeds up regeneration, and speeds up recovery time after injuries or illness. It also stimulates the entire metabolism which results in the burning of bodyfat.

3) Inhibition of the gonad regulating cycle, including the hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis, which regulates the amount of testosterone produced in the organism. If the testosterone level in the blood is high, the testes will signal the hypothalymus to release less LHRH (leutenizing hormone releasing hormone). Thus the hypophysis releases less gonadotropin LH (leutenizing hormone) and FSH (folic stimulating hormone). Consequently, the Leydig's cells in the testes reduces the production of testosterone. In other words, if you have to much testosterone, your body will tell itself to reduce or even stop production of it until it is back down to its normal levels.

During puberty, testosterone levels are at their lifetime peak. They begin to decline around the age of 23. This is where testosterone therapy comes into play. Many men and women suffer from the lack of important hormones and replacement therapy is simply the most effective way to combat the signs of aging. Sex hormones like "Estrogen and progesterone profoundly affect the brain. The increasing memory loss and mild mental confusion emerging in middle age are largely due to declining levels of estrogen and progesterone in women. In men, these same problems are caused by decreasing testosterone and increasing estrogen levels beginning in the late thirties or early forties. Insomnia in women is also related to a lack of estrogen." --Dr. Raymond Scruggs

Oral or Injectable?

Oral Steroids: Most people that consider using steroids are concerned that they wont be able to inject themselves and therefore turn to oral steroids only. This makes oral steroids very popular in the bodybuilding community even though they have been known to be particularly hard on the liver. This is true because they have shorter "half-lives" than injectables. The half-life of a particular steroid is how long it stays active in your system. Because orals have a shorter half-life than injectables, they need to be taken more often. Depending on the quality of the drug, the potency of the drug, and the person, most oral steroid have a half-life of around 3-5 hours and therefore have to be taken several times a day throughout the particular cycle. This puts a huge strain on the liver. Oral steroids that are 17-alpha alkylated put even more strain on the liver.

Injectable Steroids: Injectable steroids are considered safer as far as steroid use is concerned because they don't have to be digested. Injectable steroids have a longer half-life (in general) and are usually the choice of experienced steroid users.

How long do steroids stay detectable in your system?

This, of course, depends on the actual substance (amount and type) and the person using them. Steroids can remain detectable in a persons system anywhere from 1 week to over a year after use. For the most popular substances like nandrolone (deca, testosterona), one year is the usual time that they could actually be detected. For injectable testosterone, between 3-6 months is commonly sufficient. Luckily, for steroid users, the cost of a steroid test is very expensive (heard its $280) and hardly ever done. If you are being tested for "drugs" 99% of the time a steroid test is not done. Random tests for college sports will test for them though (the cost is probably why they are random). People usually worry more than they should though. Even though a drug "can" be detectable, a lot of times they aren't

Misconceptions of steroid use:

One of the biggest problems in today's society is that people are always looking for the quick fix. We are all influenced by television and magazine adds that's why they are there. Everyone should keep in mind the old saying "If it sounds too good, it is probably a lie." The fact is: there is no miracle pill or drug that you can take to change your body composition overnight (or in a few weeks for that matter). If you aren't satisfied with yourself and want to make a change, the ONLY way is to work at it. You must keep a healthy lifestyle!!! Only after you have a healthy diet, workout, sleep schedule, and the ability to keep it consistent, will supplements help you. This goes for steroids as well. Of course, some supplements, like andro products, creatine, and protein meal replacements, will be of some benefit to someone who may not have everything in place but, they are still not going to help to their full capacity. You have to help them help you. You have to feed your body well, so they can be used to their full potential.
Steroids will only be a true benefit to a person who has paid the price of time and hard work in the gym. A person who hasn't, will certainly see gains after using a steroid correctly, however, the chance of them being quality gains is very low and the person will certainly loose the bulk of them. In short, nothing, not even steroids, can change the way you look in the long run without hard work and discipline.

Posted by: Ms Figure

Great informative spot on thread!

Posted by: torkd

guuut guuuuut
altho i dont think i'll ever take em

Posted by: hattrick6969

Why do people find it a need to use? I don't get it.

Posted by: derat

Well written informative article - thanks

Posted by: dg806

Great report!!

Posted by: dg806

I have thought about taken them because I want to be as big as possible, but when you quit taking them, you lose most of what you earned. Is it worth it?

Posted by: dg806

There as so many that can damage your liver, and many other organs in the body. One reason I am doing it is I want to live a long time!

Posted by: musclemaniac

maybe you can help me with my question under this post?

thx!

Posted by: TJ Cline

Bump

Posted by: min0 lee

I thought this was new, but still worthy of a bump.

Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I thought this was new, but still worthy of a bump.

As are you

Posted by: Trouble

Bump for what reason?

The LEF link is not functioning - the protocol has been removed, its so out of date. The posts that feature and comment on it will be edited.

Which subtopics do you wish to see discussed, clarified, or otherwise commented on?

Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

Bump for what reason?

The LEF link is not functioning - the protocol has been removed, its so out of date. The posts that feature and comment on it will be edited.

Which subtopics do you wish to see discussed, clarified, or otherwise commented on?

I like the conclusion to the article.....think kids and new people to training should read it.

Misconceptions of steroid use:

One of the biggest problems in today's society is that people are always looking for the quick fix. We are all influenced by television and magazine adds that's why they are there. Everyone should keep in mind the old saying "If it sounds too good, it is probably a lie." The fact is: there is no miracle pill or drug that you can take to change your body composition overnight (or in a few weeks for that matter). If you aren't satisfied with yourself and want to make a change, the ONLY way is to work at it. You must keep a healthy lifestyle!!! Only after you have a healthy diet, workout, sleep schedule, and the ability to keep it consistent, will supplements help you. This goes for steroids as well. Of course, some supplements, like andro products, creatine, and protein meal replacements, will be of some benefit to someone who may not have everything in place but, they are still not going to help to their full capacity. You have to help them help you. You have to feed your body well, so they can be used to their full potential.
Steroids will only be a true benefit to a person who has paid the price of time and hard work in the gym. A person who hasn't, will certainly see gains after using a steroid correctly, however, the chance of them being quality gains is very low and the person will certainly loose the bulk of them. In short, nothing, not even steroids, can change the way you look in the long run without hard work and discipline.

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