How anabolic steroids work

Anabolic steroids work by imitating the properties of naturally occurring hormones, Their chemical composition is similar to testosterone and can activate the body’s testosterone receptors.

Once the receptors are stimulated, a domino effect of metabolic reactions takes place as the drug instructs the body to increase muscle tissue production.

Testosterone has two effects on your body:

• anabolic – maintains bone density, supports muscle growth and speeds up recovery from injury
• androgenic (also known as masculinising) – develops and maintains male characteristics (such as the penis, testicles, muscle mass, deep voice and facial hair).

Although testosterone is called a male sex hormone, it also occurs naturally in women, but in much smaller amounts.

People who use anabolic steroids generally experience an increase in muscle strength very quickly.

This generally means that people are able to train more often and for longer periods of time, with improved recovery.

This can often lead to rapid increases in lean muscle tissue.

Fluid retention is also common and can lead to muscles looking soft or bloated.