This is a good list of sites that offer information about steroids in a form easily understandable for students.

Encompassing a wide variety of hormones and other organic substances, steroids are chemical products that occur naturally and as artificial lab creations. The most familiar steroid products to most people, of course, are probably anabolic steroids, which were first developed in the 1930s as a way to treat a deficiency of testosterone in the human body. Since anabolic steroids also help the body to increase muscle mass, however, they are also popularly abused by athletes to enhance their performance. The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, estimates that up to 2.2 percent of high school seniors have used anabolic steroids at least once to help them develop muscles and become more competitive in various sports. A substantial minority of up to 35 percent of twelfth graders also reports that illegal anabolic steroids are extremely easy to obtain, which helps to account for the use of these drugs among the teenage populace.

The increase in muscle mass is just one of the many physical effects, both positive and negative, that anabolic steroids have on the human body. Positively, anabolic steroids can increase the body’s healing abilities and appetite in the short term, which means that they can be an excellent way to help undernourished individuals gain weight. Delayed puberty in males is also treatable medically with anabolic steroids, and men who have low testosterone production are often given steroids as a means of improving their overall health. All of this should be (and is) done under the attentive care of a trained physician, as there can be many negative side effects of anabolic steroids when they are abused.

Negatively, the uncontrolled and unprescribed use of anabolic steroids can lead to a variety of problems. In the short term, a man’s sperm count can be lowered and heart damage can also be an issue. Insomnia, headaches, acne, higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also potential physical problems in the near term. Long-term issues associated with the abuse of anabolic steroids are even more devastating. Those who have abused steroids are at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as other blood clotting disorders. Reduced sexual functioning as well as other damage to the sex organs is also reported when anabolic steroids are abused.

In addition to these physical problems, there are many psychological side effects associated with steroid abuse. Many people report that they feel quite good and satisfied when they use anabolic steroids, but the truth of the matter is that mood swings are often reported by those who depend on these chemicals. There is also a tendency for many people to experience heightened aggressive feelings while they are taking anabolic steroids. This aggression is popularly known as “roid rage.” Jealousy, irritability, depression, and more are also reported at higher levels among those who abuse steroids than among those who do not rely on these drugs. Such negative psychological effects should definitely make those who are considering anabolic steroids to enhance their performance take a second look at the substances.

Steroids should only be used under the direction of a physician and then only for the aforementioned medical conditions. One of the chief reasons that the misuse of anabolic steroids can have such harmful bodily and emotional effects is due to the increased dosage amounts typically consumed by those who abuse the drugs. Generally speaking, it only takes extremely low doses of steroids to treat delayed puberty and other disorders, but the doses that many athletes consume to increase muscle mass are ten to one hundred times higher than what might be used in legitimate medical applications. These higher doses account for the body’s rapid response to anabolic steroids when it comes to building muscle tissue, but it also explains why the human body can get overloaded on these substances and face a multitude of physiological and psychological problems. So while the fast-acting properties of anabolic steroids may seem to be a benefit for athletics, the long-term consequences are grave and not worth the damage that these steroids can do to the human body.

Though there can be some positive effects of steroid use, it should be clear that the dangers of steroid abuse outweigh the benefits of these drugs. This is true of both traditional anabolic steroids and many newer substances that have steroid-like effects. Athletes and others should therefore be very careful when such performance enhancements are recommended by anyone other than a legitimate medical doctor and for any reason other than the treatment of certain select conditions.

For more information on steroids, anabolic steroids, steroid abuse, and much more, please consult the following resources:

Adrenal Steroids — Colorado State University hosts this page on naturally occurring steroids and their synthesis in the human body.

Anabolic Steroids and Training — Subjects covered on this page include the chemical structure and function of steroids.

Androstenedione — Androstenedione is a hormone recently banned by the FDA, although many athletes used it beforehand.

Animal Steroid Hormone Implants — This FDA resource has information on hormone steroid implants given to animals in food production.

CESAR: Anabolic Steroids — An excellent overview of the history and uses of steroids is located on this page from the University of Maryland.

Consumer Concerns about Hormones in Food — Cornell University is the source of this overview of steroids and other hormones in the food supply.

DEA: Steroids — The legal status of steroids and other matters related to steroids and the law is available on this page from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drugs and Chemicals of Concern: Anabolic Steroids — The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Diversion Control has a lot of good information about steroids and legal facts on this site.

Introduction to Steroids — The chemical makeup of steroids is the focus of this helpful resource.

Kids Health: Steroids — Although this page is geared toward kids, it has excellent information for everyone on steroids, steroid abuse, and what can be done to combat the illegal use of anabolic steroids.

NIDA Infofacts: Steroids — The National Institute on Drug Abuse has this helpful page on steroids and their abuse.

Adolescent Steroid Abuse — The epidemic of steroid abuse among adolescent athletes and what can be done about it is the focus of this resource.

Steroid Hormones — This is another good page on steroids found in the human body.

Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis — Information on a devastating disease that is the side effect of steroid use is located on the other side of this link.

Steroids Drug Guide — DrugFree.org hosts this information on steroids as part of its series on commonly abused drugs.

Steroids Facts and Figures — Learn all about steroids, steroid abuse, and much more on this good resource from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Steroids Fast Facts — This archived page on steroids from the U.S. Department of Justice is a good overview on steroids, their uses, and much more.

Steroids: Just the Facts — Brief information on steroids, steroid abuse, and much more is found on this excellent site.

Steroids, Sports, and the Ethics of Winning — Santa Clara University has this page on the ethical questions that center around the use of steroids in athletics.

Winning at Any Cost — Read about the use of steroids in athletics and their negative side effects on this resource from the New York State Department of Health.