Myth Busting Seven Steroid Myths

You want the whole truth and nothing but the truth when it comes to anabolic steroids and building muscle. Sure, they'll make you bigger and stronger and all professional bodybuilders use them but should they? There is no steroid stories or gimmicks here, only steroid myth busting.

Myth #1 – Steroids Won't Stunt Your Growth

This is not true. In fact, adolescents and teens who abuse the use of anabolic and/or androgenic steroids are at risk to remain shorter than they would naturally be if they had never taken steroids. When adolescents take synthetic steroids, the growth platelets in their body's long bones can seal off earlier than usual. This leaves the youth's growth permanently stunted. Also, what has been found is that many different steroids have been determined to convert into estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a female hormone and it is this hormone that is responsible for determining the typically shorter stature that they have as compared to men.

Myth #2 – Steroids Are Completely Safe

Again, not true. The side effects of anabolic steroid use can be significant. The side effects can be even more serious for younger steroid users. Some of these terrible side effects include blood sugar elevation, fluid retention, an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, liver cancer, heart disease, and hepatitis. From a cosmetic standpoint, some side effects will include stunted growth for adolescents, growth of breasts in men, and loss of feminine sex characteristics in women. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want any one of these.

Myth #3 – You Can't Get Addicted To Steroids

I hate to break it to you but steroids are very addictive. Even though they have some major side effects, they're expensive, and there are widespread warnings about steroids in print media, television, and the Internet, many steroid abusers continue taking massive amounts of them. Just like with other drugs, the withdrawal symptoms can be pretty harsh. They include mood swings, restlessness, fatigue, insomnia, a lower sex drive, and an insatiable desire to take more steroids. Also, if one does stop taking steroids, they will go through a quick loss of physical strength, muscle mass, and a reduced psychological sense of power. This can lead to a severe depression and even thoughts of suicide. So steroids are just as addictive as some narcotic drugs. In fact, the symptoms of withdrawal, depending on the amount of steroids taken, can last for a year or more.

Myth #4 – All Steroids Are The Same

Androgenic/Anabolic steroids, which have been made popular by professional athletes and body builders, are synthetic male testosterone. The anabolic part of steroids is the component that is responsible for muscle growth. The secondary male sex traits; hair growth, sperm health, and sex drive, are due to the androgenic component of steroids. Corticosteroids, a different steroid from the anabolic/androgenic kind, is used to treat inflammation in some diseases. Corticosteroids can also be used to combat extreme allergies and asthma. Anabolic steroids can have some legitimate medical uses in very small, controlled doses. In the majority of cases, though, anabolic steroids are acquired illegally and used in uncontrolled doses that are massive so as to maximize muscle growth. Of course this also maximizes the chances of some of the side effects that we covered in Myth #2.

Myth #5 - Steroids Aren't Illegal Drugs

This is false as the United States government considers steroids in the same legal class as barbiturates, narcotic painkillers, and veterinary tranquilizers. According to the law, steroid crimes are both state and federal offenses. Simple possession is a federal crime that carries a minimum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in prison. If the offense is possession of steroids with the intent to distribute (basically having a large quantity of steroids in your possession), there is a potential for a prison sentence of up to 5 years for an initial offense and up to 10 years for a second offense.

Myth #6 – Your Penis Shrinks From Taking Steroids

This isn't true. What is true is that taking steroids will cause your testicles to atrophy. Basically, the testicles stop producing natural testosterone during steroid use. The disuse of the testicles will cause them to shrivel and it may also cause temporary sterility.

Myth #7 – Roid Rage Is Not Real

Medical research seems to be inconclusive when it comes to steroids causing aggressive behavior and adverse psychological effects. The reason for this may be due to the fact that medical experimenters can't ethically prescribe large doses of steroids to test subjects. The legal community, though, tells a very different and more conclusive story. There have been dozens of cases where someone who has had no history of violence or committed a violent crime prior, killed someone after being on steroids. According to a legal psychological named Harrison Pope, there was one case where a 16 year old boy was charged with murdering his girlfriend. The boy had no prior criminal or violent activities prior to taking steroids. Shortly after going on steroids, the boy had several run-ins with the police. The situation culminated in the murder of his 14 year old girlfriend and he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. While not all users of steroids will murder someone, a large majority will say they have experienced some major mood swings and aggression. This can include major depression and mania. Fits of anger and aggression, linked to steroid use, has lead to arrests for assault, property damage, and hospital visits due to self-inflicted injury. Several users have reported being kicked out of their homes by girlfriends, wives, or parents due to becoming intolerably aggressive after being on steroids.