let’s say a steroid user cares primarily about building up muscles of the arms and legs. Could a delivery method be developed that would get these substances into the muscles in question but would minimize the subsequent spillover of them into other parts of the body via the bloodstream, e.g. to prevent/reduce damage to the internal organs, reproductive system etc? More generally, was there research on this topic yielding results more interesting than what we hear from the propaganda about how bad are the consequences of self-medication by the athletes and body-builders?
I am NOT advocating their use, but, IMHO, the risks of anabolic steroids have been grossly overstated. They have been painted with the very broad brush of anti-drug hysteria fostered, in particular, by both the government and media in the US.
Except for the certainty of turning off one’s own testosterone production (and shrinking your balls :eek:), side effects aren’t terribly common or terribly severe. Mood changes and aggressive behaviour have not been a consistent feature when looked for in various studies of anabolic steroids. Liver abnormalities are possible, but unusual.
Now, there IS one effect that can be quite serious and unequivocal. Anabolic steroids will cause a kid’s bones to stop growing (“premature epiphyseal closure”). This is not a problem in adults.
Again, I am not suggesting that anyone use anabolic steroids. Although I think the risks have been overstated, they can cause serious side effects (as can any drug).
(BTW, all of the foregoing refers to the male sex. In women and girls, these drugs can certainly cause “virilization” to some extent.)
The nature of hormones is to have a systemic effect even if injected/applied “locally” because they end up being absorbed and widely distributed.
“Targeted” administration of human growth hormone (which is not an anabolic steroid technically, but has similar aims in some uses) is an example where local application is sometimes attempted.
I agree with KG that anabolic steroid (and HGH) side effects in adults are exaggerated. If they were particularly deadly there would be a lot more pathology out there…