The topic for my research paper is what are anabolic steroids? How are anabolic steroids used in sports? What side effects are there from taking anabolic steroids? This topic fits in the class because; chemists who were looking for a way to modify testosterone molecules so they would last longer discovered anabolic steroids. Also anabolic steroids work by coupling with the cytoplasmic androgen receptor, where the steroid-receptor complex moves into the nucleus and binds to DNA. Most of my sources were from the library. Three of my sources were from the library and one source was from the Internet. This is an important topic because anabolic steroids can cause minor to fatal side effects like acne, aggression, hypertension, increased chance of infection and delayed healing of injuries, Cushing's syndrome, enlarged prostate, head and stomach aches, liver disease and many more. Charles Yesalis and Virginia Cowart authors of The Steroid Game states, "Anabolic steroids may sound cool to take because they give you a chance to gain weight, strength, power, speed, endurance, and aggressiveness, but what people don't realize is that there are a lot of side effects, which some can be fatal" (Yesalis & Cowart 36). Throughout this paper you will be informed of who uses steroids, the side effects of using steroids, as well as how and why steroids are taken. .
Anabolic steroids, more correctly referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids, are a class of drugs typically taken by athletes and weight trainers to increase muscle mass, strength and endurance or to improve their appearance. Wright and Cowart authors of Anabolic Steroid stated, "Although many young men want to believe that anabolic steroids are wonder drugs, they are actually nothing other than synthetic male sex hormones, androgens"(Wright & Cowart 19). Many people are not aware of the consequences of using steroids. James Wright and Virginia Cowart authors of Anabolic Steroid stated, "If a person believes that simply taking a pill or injection will make him "look good," he should be prepared for acne, hair loss, fluid retention, and disappointment"(Wright & Cowart 41).