In the United States, anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has always been popular. Contrary to what people think today's young athletes, these substances are never stale on the shelves of grocery stores. It's only recently they were classified as "controlled drugs", which put them on a par with heroin, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. The purpose of this paper is to test the social, medical and legal mechanisms that led to these changes and continue to influence the use, not use and prohibition of anabolic androgenic steroids. What led to the classification of AAS as "controlled substances"?

Previously, steroids are established as drugs, prescription. Prescribe their use could only licensed doctor, who could then observe patients and adjust the dose. Minors can not get a prescription for AAS, without the permission of parents or guardians. Since doctors know that taking these drugs may suppress the natural production of hormones and affect the natural development of the organism, they are rarely prescribed for their children, except that, in extreme cases. Now, remembering a little history of the movement for a ban on AAS, we must make the following conclusions: Anabolic androgenic steroids have been under state control as long as lawmakers decided to put them outside the law, up to this AAS can be prescribed to the patient in the required dosage and possible side effects monitored by doctors, law, medical code of interest and official guardians or parents were a reliable barrier between teenagers and AAS.

In June 1889, Charles Edouard Brown-Skvod, 72-year-old professor of physiology, said the Biological Society, that he injected himself with testicular extracts of dogs and guinea pigs, which caused an increase in physical strength and improve health. Further research in this area led to the synthesis of testosterone in 1935. During the Second World War, German scientists began to synthesize other anabolic steroids, experimenting on the prisoners, as well as the soldiers of his army, hoping to increase their aggressiveness. Adolf Hitler's personal doctor said his patient was receiving injections of testosterone derivatives to treat various diseases. Ironically, one of the initiators of AAS was recovering from chronic exhaustion after staying in the Nazi concentration camps.

Since the 50s, bodybuilders and strength athletes have begun to experiment with AAS. Soviet weightlifters showed an impressive array of forces by using derivatives of testosterone, and their secret came to the Americans at the World Championships in 1954. Up to 60 medical community controlled study of the effect of AAS on strength and muscle mass. Early results have been brilliant, but subsequent research has led scientists to conclude that no appreciable increase strength and muscle mass does not occur as a result of the use of AAS. Trend has reversed recently, physicians were again talk about the influence of steroids on the growth of strength and muscle mass. This spread of opinion raises questions, not whether scientists deliberately conceal their findings, which would deter athletes from using AAS to improve performance?

By the late '60s, steroids use has become common practice among bodybuilders and strength athletes, which is very much in the Olympics. Butch kind of athletes from the communist bloc was a constant cause for jokes. In 1975 the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has added anabolic steroids to the list of banned substances, and testing began in 1976 at the Montreal Games. The most significant breach of IOC policy occurred in 1988 when sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal in the women's 100 meters after a positive test for AAS. Following a positive test in 1993 led to his lifetime ban.

Followed the example of the IOC and the National Athletics Association team (NKAA). Although, in principle, it is already banned in 1973 the use of AAS in team sports, but prior to 1986 did not carry out active tests. The National Football League (NFL) professional football began testing on AAS during training periods in 1986 and in 1990 - and selectively in-season games.

The medical community has no say in the fact that AAS were regularly outside of legal channels. In December 1986, the American Medical Association (AMA) published a report calling for intensifying the fight against illegal importation of AAS and had made considerable efforts to explain to the public of all aspects of steroid use. Nevertheless, the AMA was opposed to Prohibition, as already existed on the part of government control and there was no reason to classify them as controlled substances. Despite this, some doctors argued for recognition of steroids harmful drugs. As a result of the Act for the control of anabolic steroids went into effect, and AAS has been placed in Schedule 3 as a "controlled substance".

Although it is assumed that federal jurisdiction is unlimited, it is not. It can capture and study all cases with drugs, and approximately 92% of the "drug" cases in state courts. Moreover, not all states have adopted this classification. Interesting restrictions imposed by some states to use AAC for medical purposes. In Ohio, for example, prohibits doctors prescribing AAS treatment or personal use of the "made in Schedule 3 of anabolic steroids in order to set muscle mass or increase athletic performance." In Texas, doctors are prohibited distribution, prescription, delivery and treatment of AAC except by "a truly medical purposes," and further states that "body-building, improving muscle tone and increase muscle mass by inserting in Schedule 3 of anabolic steroids or growth hormones in healthy individuals is not really a medical purpose. " Such a statement eliminates hope for legal use of AAS in order to improve physical fitness.

The attack on the AAC did not end with their ban. Speeches in Congress on this issue continues to this day. October 20, 1999 in the report before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, "King" Barry McCaffrey Pharmaceuticals said that "international trade is rampant steroid sweep, turning into a real criminal network." Furthermore, McCaffrey joined the movement to ban prohormones, arguing that "DEA was involved in research designed to determine whether promotes Andro (androstenedione), muscle growth, and whether it can be classified as a steroid."

So, at the Millennium AAS are prohibited in sport, are prohibited by law and blackened in the eyes of public opinion. What makes anabolic androgenic steroids such evil?

Why AAS should be illegal drugs?

Anabolic androgenic steroids - a "side-wee" of controlled substances. Review of the federal lists of medications and their counterparts in each state shows that they are described according to the immediate psychoactive effects, which have at the reception. This stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and narcotics or opiates. But if you do not have an AAS immediate action, as they are on a par with drugs so different?

Serious side effects

In the popular literature has been much talk about "serious adverse effects" of anabolic steroids. But some of them were reliably confirmed with scientific experiments?

We know that some of the AAS, when taken in excess doses are dangerous to the liver, but this applies mainly to the 17-alpha-alkylate steroids such as methandrostenolone (Dianabol) and oksimetelon (Anadrol-50).

No compelling evidence of hepatotoxicity as oral preparations of testosterone, such as metenalona acetate (Primobolan) and testosterone andekanoat and injecting, such as testosterone sipionat (Depo-Testosterone) and nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin). It is assumed that hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) can occur with prolonged use of 17-alpha-alkylate AAS, although the tumors were reduced after stopping treatment.

For liver toxicity is hardly enough to enter the list of controlled AAS drugs. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen (Tylenol), declared "the best combination of strength and security for the relief of pain today," but cases of liver damage and even fatal hepatic necrosis have been observed in cases of repeated use of this drug is quite legitimate, especially among alcoholics. However, if the danger to the liver of 17-alpha-alkylate AAS obvious, the prohibition of less hazardous AAS puzzling. A great example - stanozolol. (Winstrol), 17-alpha-steroid alkylate, which is not toxic to the liver in any form of consumption. He is always present in the U.S. black market, as used in veterinary medicine. You can think about the fact that the use of more dangerous AAS is widely used, because less dangerous banned and unavailable.

Negative psychological and behavioral effects of steroids, known as "blind rage" seems to be unconditionally accepted for a fact confirmed in the media, non-scientific literature, but there is little evidence of this assumption. And, again, all instances of this effect is associated with 17 alpha-alkylate AAC, but not with the 17 Council-estrifidnymi steroids. Moreover, these studies do not take into account the trends in the characters presteroidnye subjects for the manifestations of anger and aggression, as well as psychological "placebo effect" that may occur as a consequence of increasing expectations of the subject of aggression after taking the drugs. Detailed criticism of such studies and shortcomings in their methodology can be found in a recent article, Jack Dax (Jack Darkes), a renowned expert in the psychology of drugs, published in "mesomorph." It can be concluded that the "blind rage" may be invoked only a limited group of steroids, and maybe even be the result of general trends in the nature of the subject or waiting for them of this effect.

There were a lot of criticism of the AAS for their effects on the cardiovascular activity of man, but the results of research in this area is also very controversial. In one of them said that bodybuilders who use AAS, the ratio of "bad" (LDL) and "good" (HDL) cholesterol was four times higher than that of not using steroids athletes. But other studies show that it occurs only in the case of 17-alpha-alkylate steroids. More recent studies have shown that steroid users have retained a higher muscle mass in three months after stopping the drugs, with the lipoprotein back to normal. In the next experiment studies the impact of 17-beta-estrifidnyh steroids, recorded that 25-27% reduction in "good" cholesterol observed during treatment was almost completely eliminated within six months after termination. It should be noted that manipulation of the diet is a strong lever for change in the level of lipoproteins and their relationships. Reducing consumption of saturated fats and foods high in cholesterol can reduce the level of his "bad" type of more than 33%. Summarizing, we can say that the specific evidence for an effect of AAS on the risk of cardiovascular disease do not.

The most "ugly" thing among the opponents of AAS, a "code of silence" about the benefits that can produce steroids. Although it is rarely mentioned physicians, but the researchers concluded that "anabolic androgenic steroids used by athletes today are a potential modulator of immune activity." That is, these drugs are very useful for people whose immune systems have been weakened or damaged. The use of AAS is an important element in the treatment of AIDS patients and not only in preventing the depletion caused by the disease, but also to stimulate the depressed immune system.

Minor side effects

There is no objection, AAS have some side effects, but they can not be called life-threatening. And is it possible, referring to them to prohibit the use of steroids? Are not many of these side effects are nothing more than a minor irritation that many people suffer as a result of violations of its own hormonal balance?

Acne has long been associated with increased levels of free testosterone, particularly among young women. Since AAS potential emergence of free testosterone stimulators, they can provoke the same acne. Did not they are, to varying degrees, indispensable companions growing up? Does not every teenager met with them on their way to maturity?

AAS can cause gynecomastia, an abnormal increase in the male breast. Although it is very unpleasant for the men, but not a threat to his life and be treated with antiestrogenic agents such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or a simple surgical procedure, which is practiced for 500 years. Whatever it was, gynecomastia is only as an aesthetic effect is not sufficient for the criminalization of AAS.

Prolonged use of steroids can lead to atrophy of the testes, due to endocrine reverse effect, when the male body reacts to the appearance of extra in it's own testosterone production decrease in hormone and semen. However, the process is reversible, and doctors believe that it can be used for birth control. In the World Health Organization report on this subject says that after a global test of AAS as a male contraceptive, they found only minor and transient side effects at doses exceeding those that caused the disqualification of Ben Johnson.

Adverse effects of AAS are much more pronounced when used by women. This clitoral enlargement, hair growth and male pattern of deepening of the voice. The positive effects can include increased lean body mass and decrease body fat. While most women would like to avoid the negative effects, it is clear that none of them are not life threatening, and when restrictions dose and timing of the positive effects will be very impressive.

Comparison with other medical procedures

Although serious side effects of AAS have not been confirmed, but minor - weak and reversible, the opponents of steroids justify their prohibition by the fact that they are used primarily for cosmetic purposes and for improving the performance in sport, rather than to treat disease. It is true it would recall some of the legal medical procedures, which apply only for cosmetic purposes.

Cosmetic surgery is widespread in our society. Actor and model, for which appearance is part of the success neotemlimoy, it is simply necessary. But then it is not without risk. Serious complications and at least one death was recorded as a result of local infection with a purely cosmetic surgery - rhinoplasty (nose correction). Cases of introduction of infection were also reported in 7% of all breast augmentation and correction, including disease and Mordona (hardening and blockage of the veins that lie under the breast), fibromyalgia (pain in muscles and joints), chronic fatigue syndrome and the frequent hardening, leaking, or failure of implants. Liposuction (sucking fat surgically) is now the most common procedure in North America, despite the fact that reported cases of serious venous blockade and even death. Nevertheless, all these purely cosmetic procedures remain legal. Can one say that they are safer than controlled medical device for AAS strength and muscle growth?

Popular in the United States and the use of pharmacological agents to achieve a purely cosmetic purposes. Fear of hair loss causes many men have certain phobias, and drug companies to exploit its success. Finasteride (Propecia) - this medication is taken orally, developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but is now used to combat hair loss. It reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the main culprit of hair loss.