Found: "Steroids and the Brain"

[unoigo]

While researching AAS and depression, I found this on the net. Not that I agree with all of it, I figured it would be a good read. I am curious of the responses from our Mods and Vets.

By: Mark J. Occhipinti, M.S., Ph.D., N.D.
Exercise Physiologist

Testosterone is thought to be the root of male aggression. Above average levels of testosterone have been observed in incarcerated violent criminals and in athletes engaged in semi-violent sports such as: football, lacrosse, and ice hockey.
The term "roid rage " has been applied to the explosive and often irrational behavior seen in men and women who use anabolic steroids (especially those that are highly androgenic ) on a regular basis above the therapeutic dosage. Many marriages and friendships I have known have fallen on hard times as a result of the severe mood swings that many steroid users experience. The irritability experienced by males and females on anabolic /androgenic steroids are paralleled by a condition that millions of women each month endure, commonly referred to as "premenstrual tension syndrome". Anabolic steroids , however, also have the opposite psychological effect in many abusers.
That is, the steroids act as potent mood elevators thereby mimicking the effects that are experienced when using anti-depressant drugs. When a steroid cycle is stopped, many male athletes experience a condition known as "estrogen rebound". The "other hormone" that a male produces in smaller amounts than women is suppressed during the steroid cycle. Once the cycle has been stopped estrogen production which had been suppressed during the steroid cycle is now released as if "a dam had broke". The greater the dosage of anabolic/ androgenic steroids used for longer periods of time the more severe the rebound effect of estrogen can be.
_______________________________________
Further Background and Mounting Evidence
Anabolic steroids have attracted much attention in the athletic and medical worlds in the past decade as their use by college, professional, and even Olympic athletes has become much more prevalent and circumspect. Thought once to offer only an unfair advantage in size and strength to athletes in competition, these drugs have since been shown to produce adverse medical and psychological effects. Current research indicates that androgenic steroids, both oral and injectable, cause changes in brain wave activity similar to those changes caused by stimulants and anti-depressants, as well as a variety of medical complications..

Of growing concern to physicians and psychologists is the mounting evidence that anabolic /androgenic steroids cause severe and sometimes permanent mental disorders. The addictive nature of steroids often leads users to administer progressively higher doses and more exotic combinations of the drugs to maintain and increase the initial muscle building effects (Occhipinti 1997).

Abundant clinical and anecdotal evidence suggests that steroids often lead to unusually aggressive and irrational behavior. These side effects are most often observed in individuals who have consumed high doses of steroids for an extended period of time, while also "stacking" several types of steroids to be administered together (Dalby 1992); for example, testosterone and nandroline deconate. In fact, one researcher cites that all of the users examined in his study who experienced psychotic symptoms were "stacking" between two and four steroids (Pope & Katz 1988).

Dr. Bruce Svare, Professor of Psychology at State University of New York at Albany summarizes the research: significantly, none of the anabolic steroids available are completely free of androgenic (masculinizing) properties (Gilman et al, 1985), and abusers routinely self-administer extremely large doses of the hormones for long periods of time (Katz and Pope, 1988; Haupt and Revere, 1984). Increasingly, it appears that anabolic steroid-induced behavioral change, especially an increase in aggression and violence, may be one of the more reliable outcomes of this form of drug abuse (Katz and Pope, 1988). (Svare 1990)
Dr. Donald H. Catlin, an NCAA drug-testing expert and director of UCLA's Paul Ziffren Olympic Analytical Laboratory, cites a nandroline preparation called Deca -Durabolin as the most dangerous steroid. He explains: "It is administered in an oil-based solution and releases its contents over weeks and months; consequently, the pituitary is suppressed for a long period of time. My clinical impression is that if one had to take steroids, the oral agents are less medically dangerous than the oil-based injected solutions."
(Nuwer 76, 1990)
Some twenty murders have been associated with the use of anabolic steroids in the U.S. in the past decade (Corrigan 1996). Pope stated that "there are unquestionably crimes in which steroids are a necessary if not primary factor in the criminal or violent behavior"
(Lubell 1989). Courts have acknowledged that steroid abuse should be considered a significant factor in these cases.
In Maryland vs. Williams, 1986, the judge instructed the jury that "the toxic levels of anabolic steroids had impaired the defendant's ability to appreciate the criminality of his acts" (Lubell 1989). Additionally, Dr. J. Thomas Dalby cites a case of armed robbery in which "the judge ruled that the use of a steroid was a significant mitigating factor and that the use of this agent was distinguished from drugs abused for recreational purposes" (Dalby 1992).
________________________________________
As the Walls Come Tumbling Down
During this "phase" or "off-cycle" the male experiences a loss of euphoria that is typically replaced by deep depression, and this factor alone is often enough to send the psychologically crippled individual scrambling back to their steroid addiction. Androgenic steroids, both oral and injectable, have been found to cause changes in brain wave activity similar to those changes observed when stimulants and anti-depressants are used. A real and ever growing concern of many doctors is the mounting evidence that anabolic/androgenic steroids cause severe and sometimes permanent mental disorders. Many athlete's become paranoid, even unreasonable and to quote former professional bodybuilder Steve Michalik, "unrealistic maniac's".
In 1990, Pope and his colleague David L. Katz, M.D. described three males...who developed an organic mood disorder/manic episode while using steroids. All three impulsively committed a felonious act that lead to incarceration, i.e., attempted murder and kidnapping, attempted murder, and murder (Pope&Katz 1990). After publication of their research, Pope and Katz received numerous calls from lawyers and district attorneys around the country, describing clients who had committed various violent crimes, including several homicides, apparently under the influence of anabolic steroids.
Dr. Brian Corrigan, Consultant Physician at the Institute of Sports Medicine, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia, groups the psychological effects of steroids into three categories.
The initial effects are most commonly evidenced in mood changes and euphoria. An increase in confidence, energy, self-esteem, motivation, and enthusiasm are common (Corrigan 1996). One 23 year old user proclaimed that steroids made him feel like he was "the strongest person in the world" (Pope&Katz 1990). Corrigan also notes that users may experience a marked increase in libido, as well as, irritability, anger, and agitation (Corrigan 1990).
As steroid doses and duration of use increase, abusers demonstrate a loss of inhibition and a lack of judgment accompanied by mood swings and grandiosity (Corrigan 1996). Many users report feeling that nothing in the world can hurt them (Pope&Katz 1989). They do, however, often become increasingly suspicious, quarrelsome, impulsive, and more aggressive.

Finally, Corrigan notes that "severe effects manifest when these aggressive feelings increase to the extent that violent, hostile, antisocial behavior develops", resulting in a "roid rage". Such rages can result in property damage, assaults marital problems and attempted murder or murder (Corrigan 1996) During these rages, steroid users report that they feel invincible. One 20 year old armed robbery suspect who was caught by police after a foot chase, challenged them to shoot him (Dalby 1992).
At least one study reports the onset of personality changes, including increased alcohol consumption, after the use of steroids, but notes that the degree of violence experienced was markedly more severe than in previous episodes in which only alcohol was implicated (Conacher 1989) Wesley had supposedly been sober since his treatment at Briarwood in 1986, but began drinking again as his steroid abuse increased. Several other studies indicate that depression and suicidal ideation often accompany the feelings of uncontrollable violence and paranoia experienced by steroid users (Perry 1997). In fact, testosterone, which was once used to treat depression is now known to cause it (Corrigan 1996).
One need only peruse the extensive research and case studies devoted to the relationship between anabolic/androgenic steroids and aggression to agree with Dr. Svare that "...steroid hormones promote aggressive behavior, and they do so with great effectiveness (Svare 1990). Drs. William Annitto and William Layman warn that "...we should be alert to the possibility that a schizophrenic-like reaction in an athlete may be related to the ingestion of anabolic steroids" (Annitto & Layman 1980).
Steroids have been found to be extremely addictive, and can lead to a progression of higher dosages and more exotic combinations when the initial muscle building effects are no longer achieved. How steroids affect the brain has up until recently been a relative mystery to the medical community. The fall of communism as we know it in Europe released volumes of research on ten's of thousands of athletes and the positive and negative effects of these drugs that was compiled over a 40 year period by the physicians of Eastern Europe. The brain functions on a delicate balance that allows nutrients to pass through or across the blood brain barrier where essential fatty acids, and amino acids, notably: Phenylalanine, Glutamine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine and Taurine can have a direct effect on the brain.
During anabolic/androgenic steroid cycles many essential amino acids that are targeted for the brain, which assist in the formation of neuro-transmitters, an example: epinephrine and norepinephrine, serotonin and cholecystokinin) are inhibited or blocked totally. These critically important neuro-transmitters are interfered with as a result of the increased ammonia and urea levels in the blood stream, that are a direct result of anabolic and especially androgenic steroid use . Additionally, the athlete's diet typically consists of a high protein intake in addition to training at a higher level of intensity. Both of these conditions increase the plasma concentration of protein fragments, which result in increased ammonia levels in the body.
What you have now in the body is literally a metabolic traffic jam of proteins, and amino acids that are circulating in the blood stream (plasma) competing for absorption with other amino acids for the limited number of receptor sites within in body. As a result necessary amino acids are blocked from their metabolic destination, which can interfere with the manufacture of certain essential neuro -transmitters in the concentrations that the body requires maintaining psychological homeostasis. This can and has resulted in the steroid rage or "roid rage" which has been documented and used a defense for violent behavior in those individuals that have been convicted of serious crimes. In the first ever published study done solely on the psychological effects caused by anabolic /androgenic steroids.
Doctor Ritchi Morris, Ph.D., ND, a New York based sports psychologist found some startling revelations. Dr. Morris took a group of 16 elite bodybuilders and professional football players who regularly use anabolic/androgenic steroids and found a direct correlation between the drug use and a depression syndrome commonly found among alcoholics and cocaine users. Dr. Morris further noted that all the athletes in the study experienced significant depression during their "off drug cycles". Several in his study developed a psychological dependency, choosing to stay on steroids year round rather than face the "black dog" of depression and the negative self image that has been associated with the down cycle.
Conversely, Dr. Morris's control group demonstrated almost no mood swings between peak and off peak training sessions. A few members of the control group actually said they felt better when they were in a more relaxed maintenance cycle due to the fact they had more time to spend in other of life's endeavor's. In all cases of the study the natural athlete's confidence level remained at a near constant "high", while the steroid users confidence rose and fell regularly. Dr. Morris who has a large practice in the White Plains, NY, was a world class elite powerlifters, states: "They come off the stuff (steroids) and watch themselves deflate like a balloon with a slow leak. They cannot bench 450 pounds anymore, and their bodies begin to go back to what they were, sometimes even weaker than before." In reality, the athlete's bodies are never the same again, as certain neuro-chemical changes and damages that have been sustained to the central nervous system are permanent.
As mentioned earlier in the article there is an increase in the level of ammonia and area that are retained during the drug cycle that can reach toxic levels. It has been found that the more exotic stacking of drugs and the higher the dosage, the more noticeable and severe the symptoms. The older drugs, which are making a comeback (Dianabol ), have the potential to cause psychological negative effects in a man due to the increased likelihood of developing Gynocomastia (the notorious bitch tits). Additional side effects include atrophy of the testicles, which is permanent, and will probably send most men into a state of paranoia all by itself.
Women athletes do not escape the psychological side effects by any stretch of the imagination. What women would not fret over increased facial hair, an enlarged clitoris and increased body odor as well as deepening of the voice. Dr. Morris concludes his study by stating that all subjects on the steroid cycles experience some level of paranoia with doubts about friendships and personal relationships that occurred during periods of low self-image. Dr. John Lombardo, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, a co-author of the American College of Sports Medicine: Position Paper on Anabolic Steroids states: "These people have a strong sense of well being and how they look and feel, and steroids give them a tremendous up."
Other researchers have found similar findings: Doctor Harrison Pope, Jr. MD, at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts and David Katz, MD, of Harvard Medical School report that anabolic/androgenic steroids use leads to psychological disturbances. Clinical as well as anecdotal evidence has found that many times the drugs lead to unusually aggressive and irritable behavior. These doctors interviewed over 40 bodybuilders and football players that admitted to using steroids. Almost half of those interviewed reported maniac and near maniac behavior during their drug cycles. The most common symptoms reported were hyperactivity and inflated self-esteem, which increased their drive to train harder during their workouts. Dr. Katz reported one bodybuilder who, convinced of his own immortality, deliberately drove his new Corvette into a tree at over 60 miles per hour while a friend videotaped him. (Yes, he did live, and no he is not immortal). Several other subjects experienced severe psychotic behavior during their steroid cycles.
One had hallucinations, while another became paranoid and believed that his friends were ste****g from him. All these episodes stopped when the steroid cycle stopped. Dr. Katz believes the way Dr. Morris does with regard to the effects of certain types of steroids (especially the androgenic class = Anadrol 50, etc.) on the brain and the fact that neuro-transmitters in the brain are depleted and short-circuited by steroid use.
________________________________________

Final Thoughts and Some Direction
The obvious answer would be to discontinue using anabolic steroids. Dues to societies thirst for performance and the look of giants that will not happen in our lifetime. It makes no difference that the drugs are illegal. A good article just appeared in the April 14, 1994 issue of Sports Illustrated, entitled Bigger, Stronger, Faster, as a further indication of where we are at today in the world. Perhaps there will be individuals who read this article that will continue on a cycle but would benefit from a mental boost or a calming effect. The need to restore depleted neuro-transmitters to their normal function cannot be achieved by eating foods alone. Research has demonstrated that the utilization of three nutrients in particular can have a beneficial effect on the restoring normal brain biochemistry. This is just a suggestion for further discussion.

This is the interesting part:

A. The active form of the vitamin B-6 (Pyriodoxal 5 Phosphate), 20 mgs. per capsule or caplet, 2 caps 30 minutes before breakfast, 2 caps mid-morning and 2 caps prior to retiring.
B. The amino acid L-Tyrosine, 800 mgs per capsule or caplet, 2-3 capsules 30 minutes prior to breakfast and 2-3 capsules mid-morning. *It is important to remember not to take Tyrosine with food and to take it before noon. The bodies' natural levels of Tyrosine are highest in the morning. This process acts as a precursor to the neuro-transmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, which have been depleted as a result of either steroid, alcohol or cocaine usage.
C. The amino acid L-Tryptophan, 500 mg. capsules, 2 early evening or after training, and 2-3 capsules @ 500 mgs. ea. prior to retiring. Tryptophan is now by prescription only in the United States. Tryptophan is the pre-cursor to the neuro-transmitter serotonin, which assists the brain in preparation for deep relaxation and sleep.

References:

American College of Sports Medicine, Position Paper on Anabolic Steroids, 1992.
Interview with Dr. Ritchi Morris, Ph.D. Vital Quests: Performance Improvement Associates.914.333.9455 3. Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Sports Illustrated, April 14, 1997
Goldman, R. Death In The Locker Room, 1986.
Tyson & Associates, Hawthorne, Ca., 1997. 310.675.1080
Aatron Medical Laboratory, 1997 7. J. Clinical Nutrition, 1987,46, 78-85.
Annitto, William J., M.D. and Layman, William A., M.D. (1980). "Anabolic Steroids and Acute Schizophrenic Episode." Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41:4, 143-144.
Conacher, G.N., M.B., CH.B, M.R.C. Psych. and Workman, D.G., M.D. (1989).
"Violent Crime Possibly Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use." American Journal of Psychiatry, 146:5, 679.
Corrigan, Brian (1996). "Anabolic Steroids and the Mind." The Medical Journal of Australia, 165:222-226, http://www.library.usyd.edu.au/MJA.
Dalby, J. Thomas, PhD (1992). "Brief Anabolic Steroid Use and Sustained Behavioral Reaction." American Journal of Psychiatry, 149:2, 272.
Lubell, Adele (1989). "Does Steroid Abuse Cause -- or Excuse -- Violence?"
The Physician and Sports Medicine, Volume 17, Number 2, 176-185.
Nuwer, Hank. (1990). Steroids. New York: F. Watts.
Parrott, A.C., B.Sc., PhD and Choi, P.Y.L., B.Sc., PhD and Davies, M. (1994).
"Anabolic Steroid Use by Amateur Athletes: Effects Upon Psychological
Mood States." The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, September 1994, 292-298.
Perry, Paul J., PhD and Alexander, Bruce, Pharm. D. and Ellingrod, Vivki L., Pharm. D.
(1997). "Steroid Induced Mental Disturbances." The Virtual Hospital: Clinical Psychopharmacology Seminar, http://indy.radiology.uiowa.edu/Prov...es/CPS/27.html.
Pope, Harrison G., M.D. and Katz, David L., M.D. (1988). "Affective and Psychotic Symptoms Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use." American Journal of Psychiatry, 145:4, 487-490.
Pope, Harrison G., M.D. and Katz, David L., M.D. (1990). "Homicide and Near Homicide by Anabolic Steroid Users." Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51:1, 28-30.
Svare, Bruce, PhD (1990). "Anabolic Steroids and Behavior: A Preclinical Research Prospectus." Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse.

[unoigo]

^Bump^

You mean to tell me know one has opinions on this. I figured it would get something with all the depression threads that have been started lately. Oh Well!

[Duke of Earl]

Just skimmed through it - and it all seems fair enough, howver I'd say these problems are the exception rather than the rule.

[HeavyHitter]

Just skimmed through it - and it all seems fair enough, howver I'd say these problems are the exception rather than the rule.

i agree.... i only skimmed as well! I believe this proves possibility but not fact! Aggression is defly true, but its up to the person to make it positive or negative.... dont forget... AR's most honest belief-- Everybodies different!!

[widowmaker2]

nice post bro

[Alpha-Male]

sorry, didnt read it, but i'm assuming i know the gist of it...personally, i think steroids serve to enhance a person's behavior, not necessarily modify it...if you're normally an aggrevated, aggressive person, you'll likely be hell on wheels during a cycle...but if you're laid back, easy-going, i doubt you'll be that bad...very simplistic line of thinking, but it's based solely on personal experience and observing friends...

[Doc.Sust]

steroids make hulk angry!!!Grrrrrrrrrr!!!.... yeah we have heard it before, now they have a study to back it up,whopdee do! i think we already new it did cause agression. still intresting to see why it happens, good post.

[Two4the$$]

Well, I have read this post more than once. I believe their studies have actual facts in them, but the degree in which it is distorted and purported to be the norm is the thing that makes me a bit irritated. Documents that take that "objective" approach but are ENTIRELY subjective really bug me. In particular, the part where they reference the murders caused by steroids ... well, I don't smoke cigarettes, but, if I did, and I died in a car accident because I dropped the electric cigarette lighter and it burnt my nuts while I was driving 80 in a 40, and I crashed in to a telephone poll and died... I'd be used by a statistician to support their findings that cigarettes kill. Well, obviously we don't have complete access to the study, how they selected the people who'd be referenced in it, and who FUNDED the study. You see, while WE search for knowledge in our community, we do so KNOWING that hardly any organization is willing to put money together to research GOOD uses and policies (except the Germans). But when it comes to the opposition, we KNOW there's a LOT of funding. The problem is, were we want the TRUTH, because we actually fear misconception as we fear doing irreversible damage to our body, some people who finance studies have no such qualm of being inaccurate, or misleading ... Anyway, with that article, it's pretty difficult to figure out the motivation of its research, but certainly the authors disposition points to a bias.

[Doc.Sust]

Well, I have read this post more than once. I believe their studies have actual facts in them, but the degree in which it is distorted and purported to be the norm is the thing that makes me a bit irritated. Documents that take that "objective" approach but are ENTIRELY subjective really bug me. In particular, the part where they reference the murders caused by steroids... well, I don't smoke cigarettes, but, if I did, and I died in a car accident because I dropped the electric cigarette lighter and it burnt my nuts while I was driving 80 in a 40, and I crashed in to a telephone poll and died... I'd be used by a statistician to support their findings that cigarettes kill. Well, obviously we don't have complete access to the study, how they selected the people who'd be referenced in it, and who FUNDED the study. You see, while WE search for knowledge in our community, we do so KNOWING that hardly any organization is willing to put money together to research GOOD uses and policies (except the Germans). But when it comes to the opposition, we KNOW there's a LOT of funding. The problem is, were we want the TRUTH, because we actually fear misconception as we fear doing irreversible damage to our body, some people who finance studies have no such qualm of being inaccurate, or misleading ... Anyway, with that article, it's pretty difficult to figure out the motivation of its research, but certainly the authors disposition points to a bias.

i agree!!!look at the side presenting the article, ofcourse they are going to be biased.

[unoigo]

I posted it to show the effects not just on agression but depression as well. A lot of bros have been posting about depression when coming off so I figured this would be an interesting view point. Especially with the countermeasures it list to help with it.

A. The active form of the vitamin B-6 (Pyriodoxal 5 Phosphate), 20 mgs. per capsule or caplet, 2 caps 30 minutes before breakfast, 2 caps mid-morning and 2 caps prior to retiring.
B. The amino acid L-Tyrosine, 800 mgs per capsule or caplet, 2-3 capsules 30 minutes prior to breakfast and 2-3 capsules mid-morning. *It is important to remember not to take Tyrosine with food and to take it before noon. The bodies' natural levels of Tyrosine are highest in the morning. This process acts as a precursor to the neuro-transmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, which have been depleted as a result of either steroid , alcohol or cocaine usage.
C. The amino acid L-Tryptophan, 500 mg. capsules, 2 early evening or after training, and 2-3 capsules @ 500 mgs. ea. prior to retiring. Tryptophan is now by prescription only in the United States. Tryptophan is the pre-cursor to the neuro-transmitter serotonin, which assists the brain in preparation for deep relaxation and sleep.

[Two4the$$]

Totally agree. If that’s what we make the intent of that WHOLE passage, then its kinda worth it. And secondly, yeah, I'm a bit lethargic, and maybe have a slight case of the fu(kits... but, I knew it going in to it. I was expecting it as the AAS left my system, along with the mild acne flair up. Anyway, I think most people on here have heard at one point or another regarding B6, Tyrosine etc. The bottom line is this. Athletes in the NFL, College Football, NCAA, NBA, MLB, NHL etc, often use steroids . And trust me, EVERYTIME they fu(k up, it will be in the newspaper. How often do these people kill their wives? LOL. Okay, bad example. But seriously, a few people scattered throughout a sea of mofo's AASing shouldn't convince anyone here that you're all of the sudden going to go rob a liquor store and blow some fool away just cause you're a bit bitter. AND!

Another interesting thing is this... Although it seems like you could point the finger to racial biases in our judicial system or in social advantages, but when the census bureau researched IQ and specific crimes, they found that THAT was the most consistent factor, not race. I.e., if you took all the people who had committed armed robbery, the average IQ of EACH race was the equivalent to the group. Thus, in my mind, certain behaviors are much more intellect driven than strictly hormonal. Although all do contribute, the statistics would be much more conclusive if it was all that easy to point at steroids .

And finally, to any person who doesn't believe in the efficacy of the IQ test... I have three questions.

1. Do you believe that there is such a thing as intellect?
2. Do you believe that it is possible to measure it?
3. Did you know that the United Negro College fund was asked to make their own in the early 80's after repeatedly dismissing IQ tests due to alleged racial biases. And if you guessed they never delivered, you'd be right. lol

Anyway, before someone gets the wrong idea, I'm NOT a racist... I have friends of MANY ethnic backgrounds. I just do not happen to be an idealist.

[Alpha-Male]

did some poking...

Dopaminergic effects after chronic treatment with nandrolone visualized in rat brain by positron emission tomography.
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2002 Dec;26(7-8):1303-8 (ISSN: 0278-5846)
Kindlundh AM; Bergstrom M; Monazzam A; Hallberg M; Blomqvist G; Langstrom B; Nyberg F
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Box 591, S-751-24 Uppsala, Sweden. [email protected].
Anabolic -androgenic steroids (AAS) have recently been shown to induce neurochemical alterations in areas of the male rat CNS related to behavioural changes that have been observed among AAS misusers. In the present study, positron emission tomography (PET) is suggested as a suitable in vivo method in order to visualize the density of the dopamine transporter ([11C]-FE-beta-CIT) as well as the dopamine D1-like ([11C]-(+)-SCH23390) and the D2-like receptors ([11C]-raclopride) in the male rat brain. Chronic treatment with the AAS nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg/day for 14 days) caused an up-regulation of the binding potential of the dopamine transporter in the striatum

but this would be like me taking 1500mg of deca /day, for 2 weeks...not all that convincing...

[Alpha-Male]

here's some stuff on aggression:

Repeated anabolic -androgenic steroid treatment during adolescence increases vasopressin V(1A) receptor binding in Syrian hamsters: correlation with offensive aggression.
Horm Behav 2002 Sep;42(2):182-91 (ISSN: 0018-506X)
De Leon KR; Grimes JM; Melloni RH
Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Repeated anabolic-androgenic steroid treatment during adolescence increases hypothalamic vasopressin and facilitates offensive aggression in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). The current study investigated whether anabolic-androgenic steroid exposure during this developmental period influenced vasopressin V(1A) receptor binding activity in the hypothalamus and several other brain areas implicated in aggressive behavior in hamsters. To test this, adolescent male hamsters were administered anabolic steroids or sesame oil throughout adolescence, tested for offensive aggression, and examined for differences in vasopressin V(1A) receptor binding using in situ autoradiography. When compared with control animals, aggressive, adolescent anabolic steroid-treated hamsters showed significant increases (20-200%) in the intensity of vasopressin V(1A) receptor labeling in several aggression areas, including the ventrolateral hypothalamus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and lateral septum. However, no significant differences in vasopressin V(1A) receptor labeling were found in other brain regions implicated in aggressive responding, most notably the lateral zone from the medial preoptic area to anterior hypothalamus and the corticomedial amygdala. These data suggest that adolescent anabolic steroid exposure may facilitate offensive aggression by increasing vasopressin V(1A) receptor binding in several key areas of the hamster brain. [Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)].

[*Narkissos*]

bump...

[Theatrix]

I think it's a good read. If anything, it raises awareness in ones own experience and gives pause for self evaluation, and that's never a bad thing!

[BajanBastard]

The addictive nature of steroids often leads users to administer progressively higher doses.

Dr. Donald H. Catlin, an NCAA drug-testing expert and director of UCLA's Paul Ziffren Olympic Analytical Laboratory, cites a nandroline preparation called Deca-Durabolin as the most dangerous steroid. He explains: "It is administered in an oil-based solution and releases its contents over weeks and months; consequently, the pituitary is suppressed for a long period of time. My clinical impression is that if one had to take steroids, the oral agents are less medically dangerous than the oil-based injected solutions."

Need i say something?"

...steroid hormones promote aggressive behavior, and they do so with great effectiveness (Svare 1990). Drs. William Annitto and William Layman warn that "...we should be alert to the possibility that a schizophrenic-like reaction in an athlete may be related to the ingestion of anabolic steroids"

Wow, i don't even know what to say about this one.

Additional side effects include atrophy of the testicles, which is permanent, and will probably send most men into a state of paranoia all by itself.

Really?

Anyway i believe this study is biased based on the refs. Most come from the 80s which coincidently is around the same time period when steroids became class3 and was the root of all evil in American society.

Some "scientists" play politics with studies all the time.

P.S with all the knowledge of PCT, A:A ratios etc the chances of going 'crazy' on androgens is reduced significantly.

[MASTER]

Need i say something?"

Wow, i don't even know what to say about this one.
Really?

Anyway i believe this study is biased base on the refs. Most come from the 80s which coincidently is around the same time period when steroids because class3 and was the root of all evil in American society.

Some "scientists" play politics with studies all the time.

P.S with all the knowledge of PCT, A:A ratios etc the chances of going 'crazy' on androgens is reduced significantly.

Ha ha! I like what you've done there!!!

>Ace<

[ODC0717]

Need i say something?"

Wow, i don't even know what to say about this one.
Really?

Anyway i believe this study is biased base on the refs. Most come from the 80s which coincidently is around the same time period when steroids because class3 and was the root of all evil in American society.

Some "scientists" play politics with studies all the time.

P.S with all the knowledge of PCT, A:A ratios etc the chances of going 'crazy' on androgens is reduced significantly.

Man I couldn't even had said it better myself bro.

[stupidhippo]

my testicualr atrophy during a cycle is reversable for sure!! Hehe that article contained such crude errors.. Gotta agree with biggie here.. Not a good article at all IMO..

[smokethedays]

Steroids do increase person's agression level but that toatly depends on how agrressive the person naturaly is.
In other words if the person had a bad/violent temper and went on let's say Cheque Drops or D-bol cycle with Test as a base, of course his agrression would be increased multiple times compared to another person who is naturaly a calm person.
I base this on personal experience and a bit of research.

[JiGGaMaN]

my testicualr atrophy during a cycle is reversable for sure!! Hehe that article contained such crude errors.. Gotta agree with biggie here.. Not a good article at all IMO..

yeah i noticed that as well. i read the entire thing top to bottom and thought it was a very good read aside from a few obvious errors. it might not be a great article but it gives an objective viewpoint on the effects of steroids .

[*Narkissos*]

Good Going K (show-off)... you could've left some for the others to massacre

I noticed the forum was slow tonight.. so i bumped this to spark discussion.

[bs54]

And finally, to any person who doesn't believe in the efficacy of the IQ test... I have three questions.

1. Do you believe that there is such a thing as intellect?
2. Do you believe that it is possible to measure it?
3. Did you know that the United Negro College fund was asked to make their own in the early 80's after repeatedly dismissing IQ tests due to alleged racial biases. And if you guessed they never delivered, you'd be right. lol

Anyway, before someone gets the wrong idea, I'm NOT a racist... I have friends of MANY ethnic backgrounds. I just do not happen to be an idealist.

Wow. You went from one can of worms to another (or two) here. Intelligence/intellect is a whole twisted convoluted subject in its' own right. Not exactly irrelevant to the topic at hand I guess, but a pretty big divergence for sure. For one thing, intelligence is not a static monolithic (or entirely objective) concept. There are multiple modes of intelligence; not all measured by traditional IQ assesments. That's not to say that the concept of some sort of quantifiable Intelligence Quotient is fatally flawed or useless, but ... well, I guess it's best not to even go down this road here. We'd probable end up having to step outside for a moment - take this over to a whole different board for a while, which I'd rather not do.

I pretty much agree with you anyway. This is a decent article, but not a shocking revelation by any means. It has some good accurate information to it, along with some inaccuracies and inconsistencies as usual. And it contains quite a bit of exaggeration for effect (atypical scenarios) or guilt by association at some points. They've definately used some selective presentation and a false heuristic with some of their examples. You can prove pretty much anything with the type of leaps they make in a few places. Overall though, it just reinforces some fairly common knowledge.

[dirtyi730]

steroids have deftly made me paranoid and I respond with aggresion, someone says, "Have a nice day" and I think they said, "you are gay" and i turn the room upside down.....tends to put a damper on your social life when you're looking for a reason to kill

[man-g]

ive done test 3 times.....

1th time Got madly depressed and stopped after 3 weeks (prop)

2nd time No depression at all 12 weeks of prop/primo/tren /dbol

3rd time God depressed again on sustanon after 1 week and stopped after 2

No big doses at all. My circumstances of life was the same. No bullshit or trouble with the marriage or whatever.I cant understand why......

Going to start a cycle again after 1 year clean and i'll see if it happens again.

[dirtyi730]

I was told to counteract that with a valium/xanax/lithium cocktail twice daily, washed down with Captain Morgan of course

[Brent_G]

Its funny becaue the average person will read this and see cites throughout the read and believe everything they read.

But obviously none of those people that wrote the article have any experience or personal research to back up their "research"

There are extreme cases to everythign in the world. And you could write an article on each extreme thing and people will beleive it will be the same throughout the rest of the world, which infact its not.

But these articles just kind of make me laugh to myself.

[Seattle Junk]

My brain waves have never been normal. What does AAS have to do with it?