How can you quickly increase strength and muscle mass? Many immediately think of using anabolic steroids for this purpose. Is It Really Practical? If you are thinking about it, you must read this article. Because the brain ages anabolic steroids.
Side effects
These synthetic hormones increase muscle mass and strength. But there are many side effects. They range from acne to heart problems and increased aggressiveness. A new study suggests another danger. He postulates that the brain ages prematurely on anabolic steroids.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a synthetic version of the male sex hormone testosterone. They are widely used as a medical treatment for hormonal imbalances. However, today it is most commonly used to improve athletic performance or increase muscle mass.
The use of anabolic steroids has been linked to a number of medical and psychological side effects. However, anabolic steroids have only been in the public domain for about 35 years. We are still at an early stage to see the full extent of its effects after prolonged use. The least studied effects affect the brain, ”explains Astrid Bjornebekk. She is the lead author of the study, who works at the University Hospital of Oslo (Norway).
Brain comparison
Bjornebekk and his colleagues compared MRI images. They compared the brains of 130 male weightlifters to long-term use of anabolic steroids. The other parameter was 99 lifters who had never used these substances.
They analyzed data from nearly 2,000 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 92 years. Then they determined the age gap in the brain. This is the difference between each participant’s chronological age and their predicted brain age. Advanced brain age is associated with impaired cognitive performance. You are also at an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Steroid users had a greater age difference in the brain than non-users. And the longer its usage history, the faster its brain aging accelerated. Other substance use and depression were also considered.
And if you’re already using them … you know. Take care of your body … and your brain too.
