Research Paper on Anabolic-androgenic Steroids

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Research Paper on Anabolic-androgenic Steroids

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a group of hormones, which includes the natural male hormone, testosterone, and a number of synthetic compounds. "Anabolic" refers to muscle building, while "androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics. Anabolic effects are basically muscle growth. Androgenic effects produce secondary male sex characteristics like facial hair, body hair, deepening of the voice, and so on. In the 1950's scientists were trying to isolate the muscle building properties without the masculinizing effects. This lead to the development of synthetic anabolic steroids.

The word steroid simply means a class of "drugs". Steroids are hormones synthesized by cholesterol. All steroids are a four-ring carbon structure. All steroids share the number 17-carbon atom. The number of carbon atoms attached to the number 17 atom determines the differences in types of steroids, and by the way that hydrogen, oxygen, and hydroxyl groups are attached ("Anabolic Steroid Abuse" 52).

People use steroids for many reasons. Some are to increase muscle mass, increase strength, increase endurance, increase recovery rate, heighten aggression, improve performance in sports, improve performance on the job, increase muscle definition and leanness, to maintain appearance with age, and enhanced appearance. Different types of people use steroids. Athletes make up the largest group. These now include an increased number of amateur athletes. Aesthetes make the next group. These are male and female models that use drugs for cosmetic reasons. Third, "there are individuals who work in places where fighting is common. Such as police officers, bouncers, and prison guar...

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