Four Myths About Steroids -- Busted
Posted on: 29 April 2015
Steroids have received a bad rap in the fitness industry, and they are considered illegal in most professional sports. While many people do suffer negative side effects from taking steroids, some of what you may have heard about these drugs might be more media hype than actual truth. Here's a look at four steroid myths and the real truth behind them.
Myth #1: Anabolic steroids are illegal drugs, similar to cocaine and heroine.
Steroids are actually legal when they are prescribed by a physician. They can be used to treat medical conditions such as delayed puberty and slow growth. Yes, many bodybuilders and athletes do obtain steroids illegally without a prescription, but they are not illegal substances in and of themselves. Bodybuilders who use steroids under the guidance of a physician are generally within their legal rights to do so.
Myth #2: Steroids must be injected.
Just because you've never seen someone you know inject a medication into his or her arm does not mean that person is not using steroids. While injection steroids are common, there are also pill and cream forms of these drugs. Usually, the cream forms of these drugs are intended to help heal injuries. However, some bodybuilders and athletes will use steroid creams for performance enhancement because they are inconspicuous.
Myth #3: Taking steroids will stunt a young athlete's growth.
This myth may have begun as a way to discourage high school athletes from taking steroids. However, it is completely false. Anabolic steroids actually stimulate growth. In fact, one of their legal prescription uses is to enhance growth in children whose growth is stunted. That's not to say that young athletes should take steroids, like those from SDI Labs. Certainly, the other side effects, which include acne, mood swings and high blood pressure, are not ideal. Adults have the capacity to decide whether these side effects are "worth it," but teens are not generally seen as responsible enough to make this decision.
Myth #4: Steroids are not addictive.
Steroids do not cause a high in the same manner as drugs like cocaine and heroine. However, this does not mean that they are not addictive. Studies show that people who take steroids for a long period of time often develop a physical dependence on them -- they just don't feel right if they don't take them. This is one reason why many athletes who use steroids cycle on and off the drugs instead of taking them continually.
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