Los esteroides anabolizantes por Raúl Carrasco

Anabolic steroids by Raúl Carrasco

Education about the use of anabolic steroids is a determining factor in setting goals, not in curing problems.

The term “anabolic steroids” generally refers to synthetic substances related to natural male sex hormones, such as testosterone, which itself could be described as an anabolic steroid in the true sense.

The term “anabolic” means tissue building, to make this clear in every sense.

Anabolic agents are powerful promoters of protein synthesis and therefore serve to build muscle.

Anabolic steroids are usually androgenic, meaning that they enhance masculine characteristics: body hair, muscles, male genitals, and a deep voice.

They are prescription medications with medical uses that include treating delayed puberty, wasting conditions, and osteoporosis. However, bodybuilders and weightlifters often use them without a prescription, taking advantage of weaknesses in one federation or another or pursuing their aesthetic or athletic goals.

For informational purposes only, we analyze some topics that are becoming popular and are requested by our friends, who share their questions and conclusions, which are not always the best in this regard.

Anabolic steroids: their adverse effects

Anabolic steroids can have several effects on the body, including the following in cases of dependence or misuse of these compounds:

  • Acne and cysts of all kinds.
  • Breast growth and testicular shrinkage.
  • Enlarged prostate.
  • Facial hair growth.
  • Changes to or cessation of the menstrual cycle in women.
  • Heart problems, including strokes.
  • Liver diseases, including cancer.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Erectile dysfunction.

Continuous use of substances available in oral or injectable forms can cause the body to stop its natural production of testosterone in the testicles, causing them to shrink.

Breasts can enlarge in men (gynecomastia) because estrogen is also involved in the anabolic steroid metabolism pathway, known as aromatization.

Precursors and human growth hormone, estrogen antagonists, and substances for maintaining the testicles (HCG) are commonly used and, generally, depending on the use of these anabolic steroids , they can have certain effects on the axis or on any system.

Anabolic steroids: their use in sports

The use of these products by athletes has become widespread, especially among athletes for whom speed and strength are important competitive characteristics.

The effects of increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat are desirable in a variety of sports and in competitive bodybuilding, although for a long time this was handled underground, both because of its illegality and because of the types of anti-doping technology that emerged.

  • Among many other examples, Ben Johnson, the Canadian sprinter who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters in 1988, used stanozolol and was ultimately disqualified.
  • Likewise, Maradona's “they cut off his legs” at the 1994 World Cup was linked to the use of Ripped Fuel, which contained ephedrine, a compound prohibited by FIFA.

In the modern era, professional athletes tend to avoid common steroids and use more sophisticated methods, perhaps with natural testosterone and human growth hormone, which are more difficult to detect in abnormal amounts in blood or urine tests.

Anabolic steroids are easily detected, although masking agents have been used with some success, making detection by sports anti-doping authorities more difficult.

Without a doubt, as Raúl Carrasco, an internationally prominent professional bodybuilder, explains, in a certain sense you have to stop competing to maintain your health, and that is the key.

Anabolic steroids: how they are taken

When taken orally (in pill form), there is a greater risk of liver damage, and some anabolic steroids break down in the stomach and digestive tract, rendering them ineffective.

Because of this, the most effective method is injection, although needles carry their own health risks. Creams and gels absorbed through the skin are also popular, although less commonly used.

  • Stacking is a usage pattern involving taking two or more types of oral or injectable steroids in the hope of achieving better results. Doses vary and may be many times higher than the therapeutically administered dose for various medical conditions.
  • Cycling is the most popular usage protocol and involves taking anabolic steroids for a period of time, stopping (to allow the body to recover its normal processes), and then starting again. This can be done with pyramid dosing; however, it all remains theoretical, since many people ignore the “recovery” phase.

In bodybuilding and fitness, athletes commonly use peptide hormones, growth factors, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), growth hormone (GH), testosterone, insulin, and growth factor 1 (IGF-1).

The debatable point is that when athletes take GH and (IGF-1), it is initially difficult to detect, but meanwhile, the effects of these substances on the body are already noticeable: the intestines enlarge, making them look pregnant, and the stomachs split open, creating a large space.

GH allows all the body's organs to grow, including the heart, brain, and testicles, depending on the number of receptors the athlete has.

Ethical and moral aspects

However, there are exceptions, for example, regarding the use of such substances, since athletes with chronic illnesses or other complications may request written permission from a doctor to take medications classified as doping agents or even anabolic steroids.

This can range from amphetamines to growth hormone. But how ethically or morally right is this?… everything remains a “we’ll see!”…

Surprisingly, the doping methods that could become a future problem include genetic doping, which consists of transferring nucleic acid polymers and using normal or genetically modified cells.

At this time, that method is expensive, but if it becomes affordable in the future, it will bring about a major change in sport and an ethical problem that will arise under any circumstances, whether at a competitive level or not.

Everyone moves as they must in this field, and it is not for us to distinguish what is moral or not, although laws exist for that… well, what is legitimate is not always legal, and what is legal is not always legitimate… but at MASmusculo, we are here to advise on health and well-being, following the rules and complying with both health and sports regulations and laws.

The psychological aspects of athletes

How far would athletes go for an ideal physique?… In the pursuit of superhuman strength, bodybuilders are pushing themselves to the limit, from improving the bench press or deadlift to trying new techniques with dumbbells, kettlebells, or bands.

The goals include increasing muscle mass, reducing body fat, surpassing personal records, and winning competitions. But when does healthy training become a dangerous obsession?

Ultimately, the health implications are the critical issue when it comes to undergoing a natural detoxification process.

Sometimes, complete recovery is literally impossible after a short or long period of time.

Many athletes, including young athletes, do not even seriously monitor their preparations, and then assume the blame.

This includes the lack of interpretations of blood test results concerning their hormone, system, or organ markers (1).

Muscle dysmorphia, also known as “bigorexia” or “reverse anorexia,” is a type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in which people believe they are not muscular enough.

It is a mental disorder that also has physical consequences, including the potential to fuel bodybuilding addiction and anabolic steroid abuse.

In a scientific review of the literature (1) on muscle dysmorphia, the main symptoms were found to be:

  • Spending three or more hours a day thinking about becoming more muscular.
  • Believing they have little control over bodybuilding.
  • Having diet and exercise regimens that interfere with their lives.
  • Avoiding activities, people and places due to concerns about muscularity.
  • Engaging in body-checking and camouflage behaviors, such as looking in the mirror or wearing loose clothing obsessively.

Research consistently shows that people with muscle dysmorphia are more likely to use anabolic steroids and develop eating disorders.

Dependence and abuse are real

Any type of medication can be addictive, whether used for a medical condition, illness or performance, athletic or otherwise.

This means they may develop tolerance to them, experience cravings and need more to achieve the same effect, without considering that there are natural supplements that can emulate these effects.

If an athlete is taking high doses or has been using them for some time, withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur.

If they are stopped suddenly, symptoms such as depression, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches, insomnia and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts may occur.

Psychological dependence can also develop, including beliefs about why one needs to use anabolic steroids.

Psychological cravings can be just as powerful as physical urges during withdrawal.

For all these reasons, it would be fantastic to hear from Raúl Carrasco, who gives us a Master Class on what using them entails and their effects on the body.

References

 

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