Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Research Paper Anabolic-androgenic steroids are a group of hormones that includes the natural male hormone, testosterone, and a number of synthetic compounds. “Anabolic” refers to muscle development, while “androgenic” refers to increased masculine characteristics. The anabolic effects are primarily muscle growth. Androgenic effects produce secondary male sexual characteristics like facial hair, body hair, deepening of the voice, etc. In the 1950s, scientists were trying to isolate muscle-building properties without the masculinizing effects. This led to the development of synthetic anabolic steroids. The word steroid simply means a class of “drugs”. Steroids are hormones synthesized by cholesterol. All steroids have a four-ring carbon structure. All steroids share carbon atom number 17. The number of carbon atoms attached to atom number 17 determines the differences in the types of steroids, as well as how the hydrogen, oxygen and hydroxyl groups are attached (“Anabolic Steroid Abuse” 52). People use steroids for many reasons. Some aim to increase muscle mass, increase strength, increase endurance, increase recovery rate, increase aggression, improve sports performance, improve work performance, increase muscle definition and thinness, to maintain appearance with age and to improve appearance. Different types of people use steroids. Athletes are the largest group. These now include a growing number of amateur athletes. Aesthetes constitute the next group. These are male and female models who use drugs for cosmetic purposes. Third, “there are individuals who work in places where fighting is common. Like police officers, bouncers and prison guards... middle of paper ...... program: Preventing drug use and promoting healthy behaviors. Archives of pediatrics and adolescent medicine. 2000. Gruber, AJ and Pope, HG, Jr. Comprehensive psychiatry: Compulsive weightlifting and anabolic drug abuse among female rape victims in New York. 1999.MG Di Pasquale. " Editorial. Drugs in Sports February 1992: 4-9. Taylor, W. N. Anabolic Steroids and the Athlete. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 1982. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute on DrugAbuse, Research Report: Anabolic Steroid Abuse New York: Jefferson, 2000. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute on Drug Abuse, Watching the Future: 1999 Data from School Student Surveys. Grades 8, 10, and 12 from New York: Johnson Publishers., 1999.