Anabolic steroids are a class of steroid hormones that are based on testosterone. Also known as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) or colloquially as "steroids", these drugs mimic the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone in the body. The use of AAS is related to an increase in protein synthesis, a process in which body cells manufacture proteins, within the body cells to build up cellular tissue, especially in the muscles. These drugs have virilizing and androgenic properties that stimulate the development and maintenance of masculine features like growth of body hair and vocal cords.

While these drugs were first synthesized in the year 1930, these days they are used under medical supervision for stimulating the growth of bones and improving appetite, as well as inducing male puberty and treating chronic wasting conditions. It is worthwhile to note that the use of AAS in combination with a proper bodybuilding diet and exercises can easily lead to muscle strength and performance gains. AAS use is also related to dramatic enhancements in terms of stamina, muscle function, muscle size, muscle definition, red blood cell count and nitrogen retention; in addition, they are used to gain or lose body weight.

AAS are commonly available and administered in four common forms: oral pills, skin patches, injectable, and creams or gels for topical application. It is important to note that the traditional administration routes don't have differential effects on efficiency of the drug, though some orals may lead to liver damage in rare cases.

Generally, all water-based and oil-based anabolics should be taken using intramuscular injections, and the common sites for administering intramuscular injections are the deltoid region of the arm (shoulder), the buttock, and the lateral side of the thigh. Other injection sites that may be considered by you could include Biceps, Lats, Pectorals, Quadriceps, Traps, and Calves.

AAS, as fat-soluble hormones, are membrane-permeable and have the potential of influencing the nucleus of cells by direction actions and their pharmacodynamic action gets initiated when membrane of the target cell is penetrated by the exogenous hormone and bind to an androgen receptor that is located in cytoplasm of the specific cell. After this, the compound hormone-receptor gets diffused into the nucleus after which it either activates processes that transmit signals to other parts of the cells or alter the expression of genes.

These drugs increase the production of proteins within the body and are highly effective at reducing recovery time by inhibiting the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, on muscle tissues that further leads to the reduction of muscle catabolism. In addition to that, they have the ability to affect a number of cells that get developed into fat-storage cells and may even be used for decreasing body fat by inducing an increase of basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Anabolic Androgenic steroids are routinely prescribed by medical practitioners across the world to provide relief to patients suffering with health conditions such as hypoplastic anemia, aplastic anemia, and growth failure. Besides this, they induce male puberty, prevent bone loss in elderly men, stimulate lean body mass, improve libido for elderly males, and help with gender identity disorders. They drugs are also used for promoting muscle deposition after surgery, radiation therapy, burns, and aging-related sarcopenia (muscle wasting).

AAS are commonly used by amateur and professional sportsmen and others for increasing weight and promoting fat-free mass. These drugs are also used to improve the levels of naturally-producing testosterone and promoting a sense of well being, physical performance and improve body composition. AAS are also used to increase muscle and bone mass, as well as the growth of facial hair and primary male sexual characteristics. The use of these drugs increases the count of red blood cells and treats deficiency of testosterone.

The use of anabolics is also linked with improvements in the context of muscle morphology and biochemistry in human beings. Moreover, the use of AAS enhances the number of muscle fibers and average muscle fiber size (in trapezius muscle).

Anabolic Steroid Use by Students 2008 Monitoring and Future Survey

When used indiscriminately or in absence (or contravention) of medical advice or of low grade, steroids can cause side effects that may be mild or severe (reversible or irreversible) in nature. Some of the possible side effects associated with abuse include acne, cysts, oily skin, gynecomastia, increased aggression, heart problems, liver damage, kidney damage, growth of body hair and voice deepening in women, shrinking of testicles in men, high blood pressure, reduced sperm count, infertility, enlargement of the clitoris, increased risk for prostate cancer, increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease in HDL (good cholesterol), trembling, jaundice, menstrual irregularities, male pattern baldness, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis when administered using shared needles.

AAS should only be used legally and only after a qualified medical practitioner has recommended their use after thoroughly evaluating medical history and reports on a patient. The dosages and the duration of use should be in strict accordance with medical recommendations. In case any abnormality is experienced after use, the therapy should be stopped immediately and the advice of a doctor should be sought without any delay.