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Why Are Anabolic Steroids Illegal?

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

The legality of anabolic steroids is seemingly constantly changing, being deemed acceptable for one generation, with the masses using them for cosmetic purposes — yet unacceptable in the next.
Today, anabolic steroids are illegal in many countries and thus cannot be directly purchased from legitimate pharmacies to aid bodybuilding endeavours.
However, some exceptions to this rule exist, such as Mexico and Thailand, where the general population are legally permitted to use anabolic steroids.
Anabolic steroids however were once 100% legal to obtain, even in countries where they are now outlawed and banned by the FDA.
Arnold Schwarzenegger once revealed that he acquired his steroid stack from his doctor, who would nonchalantly and regularly prescribe him Dianabol or Deca Durabolin to aid his bodybuilding efforts.
However, several years later and after numerous clinical trials, anabolic steroids’ side effects are now better established.
Consequently, this has led to an FDA ban of many anabolic-androgenic steroids, with them being classed as schedule III controlled substances.
Thus, any person caught in possession or selling anabolic steroids can be issued with a hefty fine or/and  prison time (determined by the local laws).
Ironically, in America and other countries (where anabolic steroids are now illegal), doctors continue to prescribe certain anabolic steroids for various conditions; including cachexia, osteoporosis and hypogonadism.
Anavar (Oxandrolone), Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) and Testosterone are just a few examples of anabolic steroids that remain FDA-approved in medicine and are deemed safe for patients to take; should they have a medical need for such drugs.
Thus, a judgement has been made that if a person has a medical need for an anabolic steroid, the benefits of that drug outweigh the risks (when under medical supervision). But the general public are forbidden from taking the same substances.

Why Are Anabolic Steroids Illegal?
Ultimately, anabolic steroids are illegal because their side effects are deemed to be excessively harsh; and thus are considered unnecessary for the public to use.
What is inconsistent with medicine and the law is that, certain steroids are FDA-approved in medicine (and other steroids are not). As one can imagine, the milder compounds with less side effects are FDA approved and prescribed — whereas the more toxic steroids are not.
However, with regard to the law, all anabolic steroids are treated the same, despite them having varying levels of toxicity.
What are the Side Effects Associated With Steroids?
Anabolic steroids can cause mild and harsh side effects. Some mild reactions include — hair loss, gynecomastia and acne vulgaris.
However, anabolic steroids are almost certainly prohibited due to high levels of cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity; in conjunction with damage to the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis).
Heart Disease
An increased risk of myocardial infarction is a reality when taking any anabolic steroid, with higher testosterone levels causing negative fluctuations in cholesterol; specifically being LDL (low-density lipoprotein) increasing and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) decreasing.
Some could argue that certain measures can combat excessive rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, such as supplementing with fish oil, performing regular cardiovascular exercise and avoiding excessively cardiotoxic steroids.
Liver Failure
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) enzymes will rise when taking anabolic steroids; particularly when taking c-17 alpha alkylated compounds, better known as oral steroids.
This is because oral steroids pass through the liver upon entry and exit, whereas injectable steroids only stress the liver upon the latter.
Some could argue that the liver is a resilient organ, effective supplementation can lower AST/ALT enzymes and overly hepatotoxic steroids can be avoided.
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a supplement with potent liver rejuvenating properties, according to various clinical trials (1, 2),. Consequently, many bodybuilders take TUDCA to reduce their of developing risk peliosis hepatis.
Although the liver is typically a resilient organ and certain supplementation can help, abusing oral steroids is likely to cause deterioration of this organ long term. 
Virilization
One of the most unpleasant side effects of anabolic steroids among women is virilization, or masculinization.  
Although this is not inherently dangerous, it can have a profound negative effect on a woman’s mental wellbeing; with decreased confidence and self-esteem.
Some virilization side effects also may persist long-term (3), including modifications to the larynx, causing a deepened voice or clitoromegaly (clitoral enlargement).
Some may argue that certain anabolic steroids such as Anavar (Oxandrolone) and Anadrol (Oxymetholone) have a low incidence of virilization in clinical research; and when cautious dosages are utilized, they often produce minimal side effects.
Should Steroids Be Illegal?
There are several pros and cons to anabolic steroids being illegal.
Firstly, banning anabolic steroids makes them less readily available to purchase, which naturally will decrease the amount of steroid-induced casualties.
However, making steroids illegal also encourages underground lab ‘cooking’, which presents new dangers in terms of hygiene and contamination. Also, there is a lack of regulation, in comparison to a licensed pharmaceutical lab used to formulate the compounds.
Consequently, the products can be tainted, potentially being dangerous to the public. This wouldn’t be the case if steroids were legal, as they’d be more widely manufactured by scientists in certified medical facilities. And such companies would be liable if any product were to be tainted.
It is reasonable to assume that if certain mild anabolic steroids were legal, and people took them responsibly (following the appropriate dosing protocols) under a doctor’s supervision, it could be less dangerous than masses of steroid-users taking them from underground labs.
However, if the general population was given the green light to pick up anabolic steroids from their doctor for cosmetic use, there would be more cases of steroid abuse. This is already an issue in American society, with 375,000 young men and 175,000 young women in high school thought to be abusing steroids (4). In such cases, individuals can take as much as 10-100x the recommended therapeutic dosage.
Conclusion
Those who take anabolic steroids may downplay the dangers, due to bias.
And those who don’t take steroids may exaggerate the dangers, due to ignorance.
Regardless of whether steroids should be legal or not worldwide, they do have troublesome side effects and are addictive. Both of which were not fully understood when they were previously legal.
Anabolic steroids have also shown to reduce a person’s lifespan when taken long term (5) and thus should be avoided unless there is a medical need for their use.

Why Are Anabolic Steroids Illegal?

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

The legality of anabolic steroids is seemingly constantly changing, being deemed acceptable for one generation, with the masses using them for cosmetic purposes — yet unacceptable in the next.
Today, anabolic steroids are illegal in many countries and thus cannot be directly purchased from legitimate pharmacies to aid bodybuilding endeavours.
However, some exceptions to this rule exist, such as Mexico and Thailand, where the general population are legally permitted to use anabolic steroids.
Anabolic steroids however were once 100% legal to obtain, even in countries where they are now outlawed and banned by the FDA.
Arnold Schwarzenegger once revealed that he acquired his steroid stack from his doctor, who would nonchalantly and regularly prescribe him Dianabol or Deca Durabolin to aid his bodybuilding efforts.
However, several years later and after numerous clinical trials, anabolic steroids’ side effects are now better established.
Consequently, this has led to an FDA ban of many anabolic-androgenic steroids, with them being classed as schedule III controlled substances.
Thus, any person caught in possession or selling anabolic steroids can be issued with a hefty fine or/and  prison time (determined by the local laws).
Ironically, in America and other countries (where anabolic steroids are now illegal), doctors continue to prescribe certain anabolic steroids for various conditions; including cachexia, osteoporosis and hypogonadism.
Anavar (Oxandrolone), Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) and Testosterone are just a few examples of anabolic steroids that remain FDA-approved in medicine and are deemed safe for patients to take; should they have a medical need for such drugs.
Thus, a judgement has been made that if a person has a medical need for an anabolic steroid, the benefits of that drug outweigh the risks (when under medical supervision). But the general public are forbidden from taking the same substances.

Why Are Anabolic Steroids Illegal?
Ultimately, anabolic steroids are illegal because their side effects are deemed to be excessively harsh; and thus are considered unnecessary for the public to use.
What is inconsistent with medicine and the law is that, certain steroids are FDA-approved in medicine (and other steroids are not). As one can imagine, the milder compounds with less side effects are FDA approved and prescribed — whereas the more toxic steroids are not.
However, with regard to the law, all anabolic steroids are treated the same, despite them having varying levels of toxicity.
What are the Side Effects Associated With Steroids?
Anabolic steroids can cause mild and harsh side effects. Some mild reactions include — hair loss, gynecomastia and acne vulgaris.
However, anabolic steroids are almost certainly prohibited due to high levels of cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity; in conjunction with damage to the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis).
Heart Disease
An increased risk of myocardial infarction is a reality when taking any anabolic steroid, with higher testosterone levels causing negative fluctuations in cholesterol; specifically being LDL (low-density lipoprotein) increasing and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) decreasing.
Some could argue that certain measures can combat excessive rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, such as supplementing with fish oil, performing regular cardiovascular exercise and avoiding excessively cardiotoxic steroids.
Liver Failure
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) enzymes will rise when taking anabolic steroids; particularly when taking c-17 alpha alkylated compounds, better known as oral steroids.
This is because oral steroids pass through the liver upon entry and exit, whereas injectable steroids only stress the liver upon the latter.
Some could argue that the liver is a resilient organ, effective supplementation can lower AST/ALT enzymes and overly hepatotoxic steroids can be avoided.
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a supplement with potent liver rejuvenating properties, according to various clinical trials (1, 2),. Consequently, many bodybuilders take TUDCA to reduce their of developing risk peliosis hepatis.
Although the liver is typically a resilient organ and certain supplementation can help, abusing oral steroids is likely to cause deterioration of this organ long term. 
Virilization
One of the most unpleasant side effects of anabolic steroids among women is virilization, or masculinization.  
Although this is not inherently dangerous, it can have a profound negative effect on a woman’s mental wellbeing; with decreased confidence and self-esteem.
Some virilization side effects also may persist long-term (3), including modifications to the larynx, causing a deepened voice or clitoromegaly (clitoral enlargement).
Some may argue that certain anabolic steroids such as Anavar (Oxandrolone) and Anadrol (Oxymetholone) have a low incidence of virilization in clinical research; and when cautious dosages are utilized, they often produce minimal side effects.
Should Steroids Be Illegal?
There are several pros and cons to anabolic steroids being illegal.
Firstly, banning anabolic steroids makes them less readily available to purchase, which naturally will decrease the amount of steroid-induced casualties.
However, making steroids illegal also encourages underground lab ‘cooking’, which presents new dangers in terms of hygiene and contamination. Also, there is a lack of regulation, in comparison to a licensed pharmaceutical lab used to formulate the compounds.
Consequently, the products can be tainted, potentially being dangerous to the public. This wouldn’t be the case if steroids were legal, as they’d be more widely manufactured by scientists in certified medical facilities. And such companies would be liable if any product were to be tainted.
It is reasonable to assume that if certain mild anabolic steroids were legal, and people took them responsibly (following the appropriate dosing protocols) under a doctor’s supervision, it could be less dangerous than masses of steroid-users taking them from underground labs.
However, if the general population was given the green light to pick up anabolic steroids from their doctor for cosmetic use, there would be more cases of steroid abuse. This is already an issue in American society, with 375,000 young men and 175,000 young women in high school thought to be abusing steroids (4). In such cases, individuals can take as much as 10-100x the recommended therapeutic dosage.
Conclusion
Those who take anabolic steroids may downplay the dangers, due to bias.
And those who don’t take steroids may exaggerate the dangers, due to ignorance.
Regardless of whether steroids should be legal or not worldwide, they do have troublesome side effects and are addictive. Both of which were not fully understood when they were previously legal.
Anabolic steroids have also shown to reduce a person’s lifespan when taken long term (5) and thus should be avoided unless there is a medical need for their use.

Trenbolone Results (With Before and After Pictures)

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

Trenbolone is an injectable anabolic steroid, commonly nicknamed the ‘monster steroid‘ in bodybuilding circles. This is in reference to its incredibly powerful nature, producing exceptional results (and equally as harsh side effects).
Tren can be used as a potent bulking or cutting steroid, due to its lipolytic (fat burning) and anabolic (muscle-building) properties.
Because of its versatility, Trenbolone is in a league of its own when it comes to simultaneous muscle gain and fat loss. Other anabolic steroids may be able to match Trenbolone’s anabolic nature or fat-burning attributes alone; but not simultaneously.
Thus, Trenbolone is considered the best steroid for transforming a user’s physique as quickly as possible.
However, because of Trenbolone’s high toxicity, beginners seldom cycle this steroid; with it instead being utilized by intermediate and experienced steroid users.
Thus, overly dramatic Trenbolone before and after pictures are uncommon, as most of a steroid user’s results occur in the first few cycles (typically on Testosterone, or milder compounds such as Anavar).
Therefore, by the time a user’s body is primed for taking Trenbolone there is little potential for huge gains in muscle hypertrophy or/and strength. Despite this, Trenbolone certainly will take a first-time user’s physique to the next level; with greater muscle mass and reduced subcutaneous body fat.

Trenbolone Before and After Pictures
Disclaimer: There is no proof that the above bodybuilder has used Trenbolone. However, the changes in body composition are typical of Trenbolone-use.
The above transformation is the level of change users can expect after taking Trenbolone for the first time. They will experience: enhanced fat loss, increased muscle mass, more prominent vascularity and greater muscle definition.
Also notice how the deltoids and trapezius muscles ‘pop’ more in the after picture, which is typical due to Trenbolone’s high androgenicity. These two muscle groups have a high number of androgen receptors, thus making them more susceptible to growth.
Trenbolone also creates a dry look to the muscles, due a lack of aromatization; producing a diuretic effect. This causes a photoshopped-like appearance to the body, due to minimal amounts of extracellular fluid surrounding the muscles — increasing the likelihood of prominent vacularity and muscle striations.
Experienced steroid-users who have taken several cycles before and then choose to use Trenbolone, can expect to gain a further 10-15lbs of muscle. Users can also typically lose 5-7lbs of fat on Trenbolone (almost irrespective of calorie intake).
How to Maximize Results on Trenbolone
A person’s results on Trenbolone will be determined by their genetics, diet, lifestyle, workouts and cycle protocol.
Thus, if someone is a hyper-responder to Trenbolone, they naturally may gain more muscle and burn more fat than someone that is a hypo-responder.
Equally, a person’s diet can maximize results from a cycle. For example, if someone is taking Trenbolone to bulk up and combines such ‘supplementation’ with a calorie surplus diet — they will gain more muscle than someone else eating maintenance calories (with all other factors being equal).
Furthermore, a small calorie deficit will maximize fat burning when cutting on Trenbolone.
Getting enough sleep, minimizing stress and generally living a healthy lifestyle will also aid your results on Trenbolone.
A user’s dosage and the duration of cycle will also determine the results. Users should understand though that there is a cut-off point and dosage, thus if you go beyond this point it is futile (yielding diminishing returns).
Therefore, a higher dosage doesn’t necessarily produce better results on Trenbolone; and thus a moderate dose is optimal — especially for controlling side effects and making long-term gains.
Trenbolone Cycles for Maximum Results

A person’s physiological and psychological health is most likely going to take a downturn from cycling Trenbolone, thus a cautious dosage should be taken to begin with.
However, if a person genetically less vulnerable to this compound, or has built up a comfortable tolerance to this anabolic steroid — it can be stacked with other potent AAS for enhanced results.
Trenbolone Stacks
Trenbolone can be stacked with virtually any anabolic steroid with great success, due to its versatility in regards to bulking or cutting.
Thus, if a user was taking Trenbolone predominantly for muscle gain, it could be combined with Testosterone or Anadrol for greater muscle hypertrophy and strength.
In such a scenario, where a user wants to add mass, Testosterone would be the mild stacking option; with Anadrol having notably increased toxicity.

Testosterone complements Trenbolone well, being another injectable compound and thus not posing any additional risk to hepatic (liver) health. Furthermore, Testosterone has only subtle effects on cholesterol values, and thus it is perhaps the least dangerous anabolic steroid to combine with Trenbolone. 

Although a Trenbolone/Anadrol stack could be considered the most potent duo for promoting muscle mass, it could also be considered the most toxic — particularly to the heart and liver. Thus, such a stack would be considered unsuitable and unnecesary to health-conscious bodybuilders. 
If a person wanted to prioritise fat loss and muscle retention when cutting, Trenbolone could be combined with Anavar, Winstrol or Clenbuterol.

Anavar and Winstrol will increase anabolism, thus preserving/building additonal lean muscle tissue; whilst enhancing fat burning.
Anavar should be considered the more preferrable compound due to its more mild nature vs Winstrol — with cholesterol and liver values typically prone to less fluctuation.
However, it can be argued that Winstrol will produce slightly better results — albeit at a cost.
In contrast, Clenbuterol will solely reduce adipose tissue, due to its potent thermogenic effects on the metabolism. There is some evidence for Clenbuterol having anabolic properties in animal studies (1), however such effects are unlikely to render in humans (at least to a significant degree).
Strength Gains on Trenbolone
Trenbolone is one of the most potent steroids for strength, despite it not causing large amounts of weight gain, due to a lack of aromatization and thus water retention.
Non-drug tested powerlifters will almost certainly cycle Trenbolone prior to a competition. Intermediate steroid-users taking Trenbolone for the first time can expect approximately a 20lb increase on main compound lifts.
These are dramatic results, considering most intermediate steroid-users will most likely have used several potent bulking steroids before taking Trenbolone — such as Testosterone or Dianabol.
Summary
The results on Trenbolone are exceptional, especially considering its synergistic anabolic and lipolytic effects — making it a potent compound when bulking or cutting. Its ability to transform a user’s physique is largely unmatched by its anabolic steroid counterparts.
However, Trenbolone is not a compound suitable for beginners and its effects will surely have a negative effect on the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis), whilst increasing the risk of arteriolosclerosis (2).