Both the muscular growth and metabolism are regulated by the chemical mechanism of the male sex hormone testosterone. Due to this fact steroids are derived from these hormone namely testosterone. It is important to note that both catabolic and anabolic steroids adhere to the same chemical mechanism. This is where they attach themselves to a cell membrane receptor. Once they bind themselves to the cell membrane a receptor complex is activated which causes the hormone to enter into the nucleus.

Once the hormone penetrates the nucleus it goes further and attaches itself on the DNA response elements. This therefore implies that the hormone operates at the genetic level. This approach is used by both artificial and natural testosterone to trigger the release of exceptional proteins in the cells. When this happens a person is able to experience significant muscle progress as result of the training.

Those people who do not use anabolic steroids usually have to train extra harder before they are able to experience any significant muscle development. This chemical mechanism has a short time span. After sometime the anabolic steroid will not attach itself to the cell membrane but instead it will attach itself to the cortisol receptors. When this happens they then begin to block the same receptors.

Therefore as a bodybuilder continues to use these steroids, there will be an increase in the number of cortisol receptors so that the body can be able to restore the natural balance in the muscles. When this happens then the bodybuilder must increase the dosage of the anabolic steroids so that they can be able to maintain the same effect. If they do not increase there dosage then the muscles will have an influx of cortisol receptors. What this means is that at the end of it all the bodybuilder will experience depletion in the percentage of muscles when they stop to use the anabolic steroids.

This is just one of the side effects of using anabolic steroids. Some of the other side effects will be highlighted in this article. In men they have been known to experience the following side effects; shrinking of the testicles, growth of breasts, low sperm count, decrease in sex drive, impotence, baldness,: women on the other hand experience the following side effects, enlargement of the clitoris, growth of facial hair, there voice breaks and they start talking like men, irregularity in there menses, and baldness.

These side effects are as a result of the hormonal imbalance brought about due to using steroids. There are other side effects which are life threatening and they include; enlargement of the heart, stiffening of the arteries, enlargement of the prostrate, liver conditions, acne, heart ailments , kidney problems and muscle tear. The use of steroids also affects someone’s psychological health in that they become more aggressive, suicidal, depressed and also suffer from severe cases of insomnia. Apart from these health side effects the use of anabolic steroids can also lead to a dependency syndrome where the bodybuilder is not able to train without using steroids.

If you like this article, click here to share: