Steroids promise a shortcut to success, but at what cost?
Anabolic steroids are a form of drug that act as an enhanced version of the male hormone: testosterone. It elevates athletic capabilities through rapidly building muscle tissue and increasing lean body mass.
While there are some legitimate medical applications, they are often misused for personal gain and satisfaction.
Although, with prolonged use, this supposedly ‘beneficial’ drug has an alarming list of problems that can transform a person’s health, behaviour, and mental stability.
1 in 20 teenagers have used steroids – particularly young males. The abuse of un-prescribed anabolic steroids in adolescent boys is a common result of body dysmorphic disorder.
Young people are constantly influenced by social media to uphold the criteria of a ‘healthy and attractive’ body – prompting a large number of individuals to take the fastest route to the ideal physique.
But prolonged use of this drug has a significant effect that alters more than muscle mass. The physical byproducts of anabolic steroids on young boys centre around infertility, acne, hair loss, and increased risk of prostate cancer.
Severe, long-term use of steroids causes liver and kidney problems, stretch marks, high cholesterol, stunted growth, heart attacks, and damage to reproductive organs.
Not only do anabolic steroids attack physical health, but they drastically modify your psychological wellbeing. Users are prone to aggressive behaviour, mood swings, depression, and, in extreme cases, psychotic episodes.
This addictive drug sparks unhealthy mental and physical habits that become hard to break – resulting in escalating usage and increased dependency.
It is ideal to have a society without the misuse of steroids, but as the media grows and continues to glorify unrealistic body standards, more young people are influenced into the path of addiction, and they are becoming considerably easier to buy.
Using alternatives like protein supplements, or creatine, is a much safer way to develop muscle tissue with a significantly lower negative impact on health – though these methods aren’t nearly as advertised as anabolic steroids.
Ultimately, it’s vital to understand the serious consequences of steroids, how they affect our wellbeing, and whether it is worth sacrificing our health for the illusion of beauty.
