Synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids are testosterone analogs and differ in structure from testosterone only by changes in chemical functions on the steroidal backbone. This all sounds very complicated? Don’t worry, we’ll explain it to you in this post in an understandable and simple way:
- What are anabolic steroids / ASS?
- Where are they used?
- What anabolic steroids are there (oral vs. injected steroids)?
- How do anabolic androgenic steroids work?
- Are they legal in Germany?
Note: This blog post is only intended to inform you about anabolic steroids (anabolic androgenic steroids – ASA), because the trade, acquisition and use of these substances is regulated in some countries – including Germany. We would like to inform here, but not to encourage or instruct consumption.
What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are muscle-building substances that are produced artificially. They are probably the best known representative of anabolic agents.
In their chemical structure, anabolic steroids resemble the male sex hormone testosterone. Both testosterone and anabolic steroids have an anabolic – i.e. muscle-building – as well as an androgenic effect. The latter means the maturation of typical male sexual characteristics such as beard growth, deep voice, strong body hair, etc.
Because steroids always have an anabolic and androgenic effect, they are called anabolic androgenic steroids, abbreviated ASS. Often they are simply called anabolic steroids for short, which is not quite correct. This is because ASS are merely a subgroup of anabolic steroids.
Where are anabolic steroids used?
Originally, anabolic steroids were developed during World War II to quickly cure debilitated and malnourished prisoners of war. Ernst Laqueur isolated them from bull testicles for the first time. After that, attempts were made to produce them artificially – without the androgenic effect.
In medicine, they were used for their protein-forming effect in muscle atrophy (muscle atrophy) and as a remedy for anemia. Even today they are used as medicines to treat testosterone deficiency (insufficiency of the testes), osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, physical weakness, developmental and growth disorders.
Sports (especially competitive sports, bodybuilding and power sports as well as track and field athletes and today also fitness and popular sports) have also quickly discovered anabolic steroids for themselves. Here they are used for doping, i.e. for performance enhancement, for aesthetic purposes and for muscle growth. You can read more about the effects of anabolic steroids further down in the text. According to the calculations of the Italian sports scientist Alessandro Donati, around 700 tons of anabolic steroids are taken by 15 million users worldwide every year.
Consumers take anabolic steroids as a cycle. Since a habituation effect sets in after a certain period of use and in order to increase the effect, many athletes stack. Stacking means they combine different anabolic substances and switch between preparations.
Oral vs. injected steroids: which ASS are there?
Basically, a distinction is made between injectable and oral steroids. On top of that, there are so-called Prohormones of testosterone and nortestosterone. These are precursors of the hormones mentioned.
Oral ASS (anabolic androgenic steroids)
Oral steroids are taken as capsules or tablets. Some also come in liquid form. Although many users consider swallowing a tablet safer than inserting a needle, oral steroids often have more side effects (especially on the liver) and are less potent and shorter acting. Because of their short half-life, they must be taken up to several times a day. Experienced users use them to start the regimen and switch to injections during the cycle. In principle, orally active steroids are detectable in doping tests for less time than the injected ones.
Probably the most popular oral steroids are:
- Methandienone (Dianabol)
- Methenolone Acetat
- Methyltestosterone
- Oxandrolone (Anavar)
- Oxymetholone
- Stanozol
- Andriol (Testosterone Undecanoate)
injectable ASS (anabolic androgen steroids)
The most well-known type of steroids are those that are injected. Injectable steroids must be administered as an injection into the muscle, for example the butt cheek (intramuscular injection). Unlike steroids in tablet form, they do not need to be taken daily. Depending on the preparation, the active ingredient lasts for several days because it remains in the bloodstream much longer. This is why it is usually detectable for longer in doping tests.
The injected steroids are oil- or water-based and must be injected through the skin as well as the subcutaneous tissue directly into the muscle. The buttocks, thigh or deltoid area of the arm are best suited for this. The needles for anabolic steroid injections must be able to penetrate deep enough. Often, 22-gauge (1 ½ inch) or 23-gauge (1 inch) syringes with a 3 cc sheath are used. Disinfecting the skin and injection site should also be remembered.
Injectable steroids include:
- Testosterone Enanthate
- Testosterone Cypionate
- Testosterone Propionate
- Sustanon – Testosterone Mix
- Boldenone Undecylenate (Equipoise)
- Drostanolone Propionate (Masteron)
- Drostanolone Enanthate
- Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin)
- Stanozolol (Winstrol)
- Trenbolone Acetate
- Trenbolone Enanthate
- Trenbolone Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate (Parabolan)
How do anabolic androgenic steroids work?
As the name suggests, anabolic androgenic steroids have both an anabolic and androgenic effect.
Anabolic effect:
It increases the buildup of protein (protein) in the muscles. So even without training, beginners can build muscle with steroids. However, it is worthwhile to combine it with intensive and regular workouts.
The body’s ability to regenerate is also increased. Consumers thus recover faster after training and can train more frequently and with fewer breaks.
Androgenic effect:
This refers to the maturation of typical male sexual characteristics such as beard growth, deep voice, strong body hair, etc., as well as the effect on the psyche.
Those who take anabolic steroids as athletes actually only want an anabolic effect. Unfortunately, this is not possible, even though it is getting better and better with synthetic production.
Benefits of anabolic steroids at a glance:
- muscle building due to increased protein biosynthesis in the muscle cells
- faster regeneration during and after training
- increased fat loss
- positive nitrogen balance, resulting in a muscle-building-friendly metabolism
- increased performance
- increased training aggression
- increased energy and endurance
- improved strength
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Side effects of steroids
The side effects of anabolic steroids vary yes according to the duration of use and dose. They include acne, cardiovascular problems, liver damage, enlarged prostate, gynecomastia (due to conversion of testosterone to estrogen), testicular atrophy (with cessation of sperm production), partial hair loss, hormonal imbalance, psychological problems, etc. In women, there may be more body hair, altered menstrual cycle, clitoral growth and a change in voice pitch (virilization = masculinization). Long-term use of anabolic steroids can damage the heart and lead to psychological dependence.
During and after a course of treatment with anabolic steroids, Cycle Support – i.e. On Cycle Therapy and Post Cycle Therapy – is always important.
Are anabolic androgenic steroids legal in Germany?
Attention: We are not allowed and cannot make any legally binding statements, but we want to show you the legal situation as known to us (as of October 2021) in the following. Please always inform yourself about the respective legal situation in your country before buying and consuming anabolic steroids.
The first time anabolic steroids were banned was in 1974, after a detection method was developed. In 1976, at the Olympic Games in Montreal, they were controlled for the first time.
Since 1984, synthetically produced anabolic steroids that contain the body’s own steroid hormone testosterone have been banned – including anabolic androgenic steroids. Detection in doping tests is still not easy today.
According to Section 2 (1) of the Anti-Doping Act (AntiDopG), it is prohibited in Germany to manufacture, trade in, sell or dispense anabolic substances such as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids also fall under §6a of the German Medicines Act (AMG) and are therefore only available on prescription.
In some cases there are exceptions for “small quantities”. What is already considered a “not small quantity” is regulated in the DmMV (Doping Medicines Quantities Ordinance) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/dmmv_2023/BJNR0430B0023.html. If the limits specified here are reached or exceeded, the possession, acquisition and importation of the anabolic steroids is punishable.
Possession or acquisition of doping substances such as anabolic steroids is only permitted in small quantities if they are not used for doping purposes, i.e. to enhance performance in sport. For example, if you possess anabolic steroids for medical or non-sporting personal reasons, you are not liable to prosecution. You should not use anabolic steroids for sporting purposes – especially in competitions.
Using anabolic steroids by injection is not for you? There are other anabolic steroids (even legal ones) like selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) , Prohormones etc. that also have a strong anabolic effect but often have much less side effects.
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us!
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