Understanding Steroids and Muscle Growth

What is one significant difference in muscle gain between steroids and creatine?

What is the testosterone level of Chase Irons as mentioned?

What is a common misconception about fitness influencers and their steroid use?

What happens to testosterone when it is injected into the muscle?

Which of the following is a potential side effect of taking steroids?

Why are more people reportedly using steroids now than ever before?

What class of enzymes is responsible for cleaving the carboxy group off testosterone?

What is one of the main reasons individuals might start taking steroids?

In what form is testosterone commonly injected?

What factor can influence the amount of muscle gain from steroid use?

What does a higher testosterone level in enhanced bodybuilders suggest?

How do binding proteins relate to the function of testosterone?

What is a common misconception about the results of steroid use portrayed by influencers?

What does the term 'natural bodybuilder' imply?

Steroid Use and Effects

Steroids significantly enhance muscle growth, far surpassing natural supplements like creatine.
A year of daily creatine intake may add about 2 lbs of muscle, while anabolic steroids could increase muscle mass by approximately 20 lbs, depending on genetics and dosage.

Hormonal Levels in Bodybuilders

Compared to natural bodybuilders, enhanced bodybuilders exhibit extraordinarily high testosterone levels.
Example: A natural bodybuilder may have testosterone levels around 485 ng/dL, whereas an enhanced bodybuilder can exceed 10,000 ng/dL.

Rising Steroid Use

Increased openness among fitness influencers regarding anabolic steroid use contributes to a rise in users.
Honest discourse theoretically helps viewers adjust their expectations regarding natural bodybuilding outcomes.

Misleading Information

Many fitness influencers disclose steroid use but often neglect to share the associated negative side effects, leading to a skewed perception of steroids being solely beneficial.

Mechanism of Steroid Injection

Testosterone enanthate, a common anabolic steroid, is a testosterone molecule bonded with a carboxy group and dissolved in vegetable oil for injection.
Upon injection, testosterone slowly enters the bloodstream, where it is transported to muscle cells via binding proteins.

Broader Physiological Effects

While steroids aim to enlarge muscle cells, they also affect the heart, promoting growth in heart cells, particularly the left ventricle.
An enlarged heart, particularly the left ventricle, can negatively impact heart function and efficiency, contrary to the perception of a "stronger" heart.

This quiz explores the impact of steroids on muscle building, discussing their effectiveness compared to other supplements like creatine. It addresses the steroid epidemic and aims to provide an honest assessment of their use in fitness. Test your knowledge on this controversial topic!