Should Steroid use be Legalized?

**Man In Black** · 06-03-2006, 18:31

So let's hear your opinions on this. Should anabolic/androgenic steriods be legal to use? If so, why? If not, why not?

**innorton38** · 06-03-2006, 18:37

While I tend to have the view that "it's your body, you should be able to poison it with drugs as long as no one else is hurt," I don't think this applies to performance enhancing drugs because if some people use it, there becomes a huge amount of pressure for everyone else to use it or risk being left behind, competitively.

**Man In Black** · 06-03-2006, 18:47

Well first of all, I didn't neccesarily mean just in professional or amateur sports, but also just everyday people that want to improve the way they look.

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

As for the peer pressure thing, to be successful in the NFL you have to weight train consistantly, right? If you don't you will be left behind competitively, right? So does that mean that weight training should be outlawed?

**Draconis** · 06-03-2006, 19:18

I wouldn't have a problem with them being legal for general use, but I would be happier if they were still banned by the governing bodies of individual sports.

**Merick** · 06-03-2006, 19:20

Originally Posted by Man In Black

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

Well, they do have negative affects, ya know. You're making sound like the only thing it does is make you stronger.

**Man In Black** · 06-03-2006, 19:31

Originally Posted by Merick

Well, they do have negative affects, ya know. You're making sound like the only thing it does is make you stronger.

Well list them. More than likely atleast half of what you think are side-effects of steroids actually aren't.

Examples: No, steroids do NOT make your penis smaller.
No, steroids do NOT give you brain cancer.
No, there is no such thing as 'roid rage.

**Ranger14** · 06-03-2006, 19:54

Originally Posted by Man In Black

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Ummm..have you ever seen the muscle tissue of someone who uses steroids? It's brown as opposed to being healthy blue/red muscle tissue. I worked with an orthopedic surgeon who did surgery on Lex Luger of wrestling fame and that is all they found was "damaged" or "poisoned" muscle tissue from steroid usage. It ended Luger's career early and to try to claim that it steroids aren't harmful makes me scratch my head and wonder what sand you have been burying your head in.

From a Vanderbilt University article:

Men suffer from impotence, ejaculatory problems, and decreased sperm counts. Anabolic steroids inhibit the release of follicle stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary which results in testicular atrophy and decreased production of natural testosterone. In one study, testicular atrophy was apparent in 8 of 20 body builders who used steroids (Lamb, 1984).

Heart disease and strokes are not uncommon in relatively young steroid users. Steroid abuse leads to hardening of the arteries. Steroid use causes decreased elastin and increased collagen in the walls of their blood vessels. The stiffening of arterial walls can lead to heart attacks (www.bigsport.com/steroids/steroids.roidb11b.txt).

Depending on the type of anabolic steroid used, the amount and length of time can lead to liver damage. When the liver is under stress, increased amounts of certain chemicals are found in the bloodstream. Anabolic steroid abusers have up to twice the level of these chemicals in their blood compared to non-users. Liver cells are damaged as the liver attempts to break down the foreign agents. There are changes in the structure of the liver with continued use, and the liver’s ability to rid the body of wastes is decreased (http://www.bigsport.com/steroids/steroids/roidb11b.txt).

Conclusion:

The use of steroids appears to be effective in increasing body mass and strength when taken in conjunction with a strength training program. Although, anabolic steroids can improve athletic performance, the effects are disastrous. Many steroid abusers believe they are invincible. Twenty years from now, they will realize that this is simply not true. Today’s athletes will be suffering the effects of steroid use and wondering if the victory was worth it.

Main Source: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psycho..._steroids.html

I can find you an vast array of research on the harm in taking steroids. I am limited on time right now.

**innorton38** · 06-03-2006, 20:15

Originally Posted by Man In Black

Well first of all, I didn't neccesarily mean just in professional or amateur sports, but also just everyday people that want to improve the way they look.

Secondly, I would have to take issue with the use of the word 'poison.' How would using steriods poison your body? Elaborate please.

Thirdly, it's kind of weird how people that frown upon steriod use call steriods 'drugs' while people who support there use refer to them as 'hormones'. As for me, they are hormones.

As for the peer pressure thing, to be successful in the NFL you have to weight train consistantly, right? If you don't you will be left behind competitively, right? So does that mean that weight training should be outlawed?

I'll respond to your points in order:

1. Even if they are for purely cosmetic uses, I still think that the alluring "benefits" of steroid use coupled with the harmful effects (even if you deny they exist...) make these substances that should be illegal. As I mentioned, I generally don't care if someone wants to use drugs but since Steroids can be spun to be attractive more easily than say Heroin, it should be illegal or at least heavily regulated.

2. "Poison" by definition are substances, particularly chemicals, that are harmful or even fatal. Steroids fit this categorization, in my (and most medical professionals') opinion.

3. Does this really surprise you? I'm actually surprised that you think this is weird...

4. It's not the peer pressure alone that makes me not support steroids, it's the peer pressure coupled with the negative effects. Your analogy makes no sense.