Steroids are a topic that most people prefer to avoid. They are a topic that cause people outside the bodybuilding community to jump to some serious conclusions. We hear about “roid rage” and how a guy on steroids will have shrunken balls. People hear “steroids” and they generally react in a negative way.
What Are Steroids?
Steroids are used to aid with recovery and protein synthesis. These factors help to grow muscle faster. Yes, there are many other types of steroids used for medical reasons, but they are not the focus on this article, anabolic steroids are. These hormones that are generally injected deep into the muscle help with many different aspects of training. They provide extra strength during the workout, enabling you to lift more weight. They help with recovery, enabling you to train harder and more often. They assist with protein synthesis, helping your body use more of the food you eat to grow the muscles.
My Thoughts on Steroids
I believe that steroids are a personal decision. Yes, I know people have the opinion that they are dangerous, and in uneducated hands steroids are very dangerous. I believe that if you make the personal decision to use steroids then you should do your research. Make sure you understand what you are doing and how to use the steroids properly. Use the proper dosage. Follow the sterility guidelines when giving yourself an injection. All of these precautions will help you get the maximum benefit out of steroids.
As a personal decision, steroid use is not something that should be looked down upon. One does not inject themselves with steroids and then immediately grow large muscles and get ripped. It still takes much consistent hard work to get to the body you want. Steroids just help you get there a little faster.
Roid rage? It has been closely studied and the conclusion is that roid rage is not as real as you might think. Every single TV show or movie makes it look like everyone who takes steroids gets roid rage. The facts are different. Only a very small percentage of those who take steroids actually have their mood altered. Again, even this problem can be alleviated by hitting the gym on a regular basis.
The facts are simple. People want to look bigger. As a bodybuilding competitor they don't want to wait for the length of time it takes when going “natural” so they supplement with other things. Steroid use is on the rise because of the benefits derived from them. Baseball players, football players, basketball players and hockey players all benefit from the use of steroids. The “problem” is that these sports have banned their use. Imagine is that were not the case. Like with anything else where you say “no, you can't do this” the playing field would be leveled if you allowed steroids in these sports. Eventually nobody would use them because there would be no point. Each person would realize that they were no longer getting an edge.
I say don't look down on people who use steroids. It is a tad bit hypocritical to go out and drink, but then look down on people who use anabolic steroids. Drinking is dangerous and has serious health side effects. Smoking causes cancer in many people. However, as a society we have no problem with people who do these things. Steroid use should fall in that same category. Personal decisions are just that–personal. Nobody should make someone feel bad for making the choices they feel are best for them. Nobody tells you that you should not drink, so nobody should tell you that you shouldn't use steroids.
Advocating the Use of Steroids?
Please understand that I am not saying run right out and use steroids. I am saying that if they are a consideration, sit down and do all your research first. Find out the side effects. Understand how they work. Make sure you are going to be able to afford the amount of food you are going to need to grow. Learn how to properly inject yourself in a sterile manner. If, after doing your research, you decide that steroids are for you, by all means make that personal decision. Just don't make the decision lightly. Ask yourself why you want to use steroids. Is it just to “get big”? If so, that's not really a good reason. Be careful. Make your decision with great care and consideration. There are other ways to boost your testosterone and grow your muscles. They take longer, but have far less side effects.
Conclusion
Society needs to stop being hypocritical. You want to get on people who take steroids then stop drinking, smoking and having unprotected sex because all of those things are even more dangerous than anabolic steroids. Here in the United States we preach freedom. Well give your friends the freedom to make their own choices!
