What are the effects of steroid use on the human body?

By Brandy Pena

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According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) the use of steroids can easily lead to many major health problems. Some of the most dangerous consequences are kidney impairment or failure, damage to the liver leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack (even in young people), and a lower sperm count for men.

The use of steroids began to get popular in the Dominican Republic around the 1960’s and in the New York they began to be used in the 1950’s. Steroids became illegal in professional sports in the 1990’s. Athletes use steroids to increase their performance, build muscle and stamina, and give them a better chance at winning.

The NIDA also stated, “Steroids can affect an athlete by increasing the heart rate and decreasing the energy.” Meaning that although steroid makes your heart rate faster you will get lazy.

According to the source Gizmodo it says that, “For some athletes, the major benefit of steroids is that they allow them to recover from workouts more quickly, meaning they can train harder and more frequently.” Many people assume that steroid users are lazy or cheaters who don't want to train hard, when the drugs actually allow them to train harder.

Sam Ramos , a gym teacher at Forsyth Satellite Academy, commented, “steroid can cause change in the brain and body that increase risk for illness and they may affect moods. Steroid can affect and change your mood the second you use steroid. Many athletes who take steroid act a different way that anybody can notice.

Israel from the DR states that, “steroids do not guarantee you're going to have success. In my opinion I think a lot of people think that they will, but they don't. Steroid cheating, and winning without honor is not winning.”Using steroid doesn’t makes you a winner it really makes you a loser.