If you are thinking about taking steroids, then be aware that it is not for everyone. The purpose of this article is to inform you of the risks and benefits of bodybuilding and women on steroids use, so you can make an informed decision.
Some people use substances like anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to increase their muscle strength and power beyond what is naturally possible (AAS).
The first thing to consider is that steroid use will improve your physique in a short period of time. It may take weeks or months before you see a significant change, depending on how much work you have put into your training program. For example, if you only train twice per week, you might not see any difference until after 2-3 months.
For those who are serious about building muscle mass, you need to understand that you won’t build as much muscle in as many weeks using steroids. This is because they don’t actually stimulate growth. Instead, they merely prevent the loss of muscle you would normally experience due to normal aging and physical decline. So while they do increase your size, they don’t actually add any new muscle.
As such, steroid use is generally not recommended for those looking to gain muscle mass over a long period of time (6+ months). They simply aren’t necessary at this stage. In fact, they could even slow down your progress.
That said, there are some exceptions. If you are in good physical condition already, have access to a high level of nutrition, and have a low training volume, then you may benefit from them. Also, if you are a competitive powerlifter, they may help you gain more strength than you otherwise would.
Now, let’s look at the potential negative effects of steroid use. First, you should know that most people who take steroids never really recover completely from their side effects. As a result, you will always have lingering health problems from using them. There is no way around this. And since you cannot get rid of them once you’ve started, you simply must live with them for the rest of your life.
This includes things like acne, hair loss, reduced testicle size, male pattern baldness, and other cosmetic changes. These issues are usually permanent unless you stop taking the drugs. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be unable to pass these traits onto your children. Many men who used steroids as teenagers and young adults have passed on the problem to their offspring.
It also means that you will be subject to the same side effects throughout your entire life. This can be very scary for anyone who is planning on starting a family. While you may think that you will be able to hide these problems by dressing up, your wife or girlfriend is far less likely to accept your excuses for long periods of time.
Second, steroid users often suffer from depression or anxiety. These conditions tend to manifest themselves when you realize that you’ve taken something which has permanently altered your appearance. Some people have even been diagnosed with personality disorders such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The reason why this happens is because steroids affect your brain chemistry in ways that cause extreme mood swings.
These changes can lead to depression, anger, aggression, and various other mental illnesses. So if you decide to start using steroids, you should expect to deal with some pretty severe emotional upsets.
In addition, you will probably want to avoid using drugs and alcohol while you’re using them. This is because some of the more obvious symptoms of steroid abuse include increased blood pressure and pulse rate along with an abnormally rapid heartbeat. This combination can cause heart attacks and strokes.
As such, it makes sense to keep your workouts under control and consume plenty of water during your cycle. Even though you may look better now, you are still vulnerable to a number of dangerous situations. Your doctor should be able to tell you what precautions you will need to take.
Finally, if you are going to begin using steroids, you should make sure that you have everything lined up beforehand. That way, you won’t waste time and money searching for a source. And if you aren’t careful, you could find yourself being charged with drug possession or distribution.
So, if you are considering using steroids, here are a few tips that you should follow:
Before you go anywhere near them, check with your doctor. Find out exactly how long you will remain safe. After all, you may need to start taking anti-depressants or anti-psychotics.
Make sure that you have a well stocked gym nearby. You wouldn’t want to run out of food while you were working out. But if you are running low on workout gear, you may not be able to continue.
Don’t forget to drink lots of water. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, you probably won’t last long enough to finish your workout.
Set aside a small amount of cash each month. You may need this to buy groceries or pay someone to help you clean up your house.
Avoid getting involved with strangers. If you find somebody offering you steroids, ask for references. Check with the Better Business Bureau or the police department to verify their credentials.
Be wary of shady online pharmacies. Ask your doctor what you should look for in a reputable supplier.
Never give anybody else any money. When you buy anything from an unknown source, make sure that you have a receipt and a picture ID.
When you are finished with your cycle, dispose of everything properly. Don’t just throw your stuff away. Make sure that you bury it deep in the ground or burn it off somewhere.
Remember that steroids are illegal. Do not try to sell or trade them for anything. If you are caught, you will face severe penalties both in prison and behind bars.
Steroid users are also prone to accidents. If you plan on driving a car, make sure that you don’t mix them with alcohol. Otherwise, you could find yourself facing charges of DUI.
While steroid use may seem appealing at first glance, it can also leave you feeling worse about yourself than ever. You may even end up losing interest in your training altogether.
As a result, you should weigh the pros and cons of using steroids carefully. Before you decide to take the plunge, make sure that you have done your research thoroughly. Then make sure that you don’t rush into using them.
You may want to wait until you have reached the point where you are ready to build muscle mass without them. Only then will you be able to tell whether they are worth it.
