Anabolic steroids are similar to synthetic male sex hormones. They are a class of chemically synthesized derivatives that are structurally and actively similar to the human male hormone testosterone. The anabolic effect can improve the growth of skeletal muscle, while the action of male sex hormones can make male sex characteristics more pronounced.
All synthetic androgenic steroids have a similar chemical structure to testosterone. In addition to increasing muscle mass and strength, and maintaining muscle bulk during active or passive weight loss, these drugs also have androgenic effects.
It also speeds up recovery after training, helping to increase training intensity and time. However, taking these drugs does not have the effect of building muscle without systematic strength training at the same time.
Anabolic steroids were first used in 1930 to treat hypogonadism (not enough testosterone is produced in the testicles to meet the needs of growth and sexual function). After that, it is mainly used to treat late puberty, impotence, etc.
In the 30s, scientists found in experiments on animals that anabolic steroids are beneficial for the growth of skeletal muscle, which was followed by bodybuilders and weightlifters, and eventually to many sports.
Nowadays, steroids are widely used in sports, which has a serious impact on the results and fairness of sports competitions. More than 100 anabolic steroids have been developed in the United States, and most of them are illegal, some are smuggled into the United States, and some are developed and produced by some pharmaceutical companies or secret laboratories.