Steroid Primer

With JC Romero getting busted for using performance enhancing drugs last week, its clear that baseball has not seen the last of its steroid problem. While we all know that steroids can help athletes build muscle and achieve superhuman feats, but how do they actually work?

Almost all of the steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) that ball players use comes in the form of an intramuscular injection, as this is the most potent and effective way. Once the athlete has injected himself, the steroids or HGH, connect with the body's natural steroid receptors. The receptors then send a chemical signal to the athlete's DNA, telling it to produce more testosterone. Testosterone, is a naturally occurring hormone in a male's body and helps aid in muscle growth. With increased testosterone in his body, the athlete is able to increase the productivity of his workouts and gain more muscle.It should be noted that for steroids to have any muscle building effect, the athlete still needs to work out.

Athletes usually use steroids in cycles to help reap the greatest benefits. Steroid cycles can range anywhere from a week to a few months of steroid use followed by a few weeks without steroid use to help combat some of the side-effects that steroids can have on the body. It is also common for athletes to use more than one type of steroid at a time, to help gain the maximum amount of muscle.

HGH was originally used by AIDS patients to help combat some of the side-effects from the final stages of the disease. Baseball players use it because it increases the size and definition of their muscles with little work. HGH can help players stay in shape in a sport like baseball where everyday workouts are not practical due to travel. Though it sounds like a miracle drug, increased HGH exposure can lead to devastating long-term side-effects including: increased risk of cancer, birth defects in children, heart irregularities, and Acromegaly--the extreme growth of appendages and facial features.

I hope that cleared up any confusion about steroids and how they work. As always, questions and comments are welcome and appreciated.