steroids

Question 1

what are anabolic-androgenic steroids

Answer 1

anabolic - increase muscle mass
androgenic - masculising/testosterine like

Question 2

history of steroids

Answer 2

• castration of males leads to long term changes - testes has a function
• 1870s - brown sequard - injected substances from animals and injected into prepubersent dogs and himself - developed more energy
• isolated substances - benefit in athletic competition - 1940s
• 2016 olympics - all russian weightlifters banned - often doped without their will

Question 3

methods of ingestion - steroids

Answer 3

• orally or injection

Question 4

behavioural effect of anabolic steroids

Answer 4

• increase muscle mass
• organ growth
• bone density
• enhances male attributes
• hair growth deeper voice

Question 5

what neurotransmitters are involved in anabolic steroids

Answer 5

• mimics testosterone
• can lead to reduction of testosterone production
• effects dopamine and serotonin - mood - increased aggression
• effect the brains reward system - low mood
• androgen molecules bind to receptor sites in muscles - changes to DNA - permanently alters how genes express themselves - long term changes

Question 6

how do steroids act as androgen receptors

Answer 6

• bind to androgen receptors - leading to long term DNA changes - muscle growth

Question 7

what is the problem with steroids acting as androgen receptors

Answer 7

androgen receptors are already saturated - more substances shouldn;t increase activity that much

Question 8

what are alternative hypothesis for how steroids work

Answer 8

• steroid treatment induces receptor expression in muscle
• androgens are antagonists for glucorticoid hormones - which are catabolic - decrease protein synthesis, increases protein breakdowm

Question 9

chronic use of steroids

Answer 9

• take more than intended
• can’t cut down
• spend time acquiring
• continue despite problems
• no reports of self administration in mice #- doesn’t produce euphoria
• mice preferred the testosterone side - behaviour is reinforced - dopamine antagonists stop preference suggesting reward system

Question 10

withdrawal symptoms of steroids

Answer 10

behavioural
- fatigue, depression, restlessness, anorexia, decreased libido, disatisfaction
- more body image than neurological

Question 12

health consequences of steroid use

Answer 12

• ecxma
• jaundice
• reduced testical size
• roid rage - dramatic mood swings - increased feelings of hostility

Question 13

large scale changes from steroids

Answer 13

• irregular periods
• acne
• testicular shrinkage
• decreased glucose tolerance - diabetes
• mood swings
• cardiovascular system - heart attacks
• breast growth in men

Question 14

legal issues of steroids

Answer 14

• government scandals - reduction in life span
• biggest problem around needle sharing - hepatitis
• occurs in younger males
• readily available in gyms - body dysmorphia