Popular misconceptions about drug use

Young Gun

I read this on wikipedia and thought it did us all a bit of justice

Popular Misconceptions

Anabolic steroids, like many other drugs, have been at the center of a lot of controversy and because of this there are many popular misconceptions and myths concerning their purported effects and side effects. As with many infamous drugs in popular culture, the misconceptions relating to anabolic steroids have likely arisen from misunderstandings of actual side effects of anabolic steroids. One such example might include the myth that anabolic steroids can ‘shrink’ one's penis. It is likely that this myth came from the real side effect of anabolic steroids known as testicular atrophy, in which the use of anabolic steroids causes reduced secretion of the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary, thus reducing testicle size. This side effect is temporary and the testicles return to normal once exogenous androgen administration is halted.[24]

Another common misconception purveyed in popular culture and the media include the myth that anabolic steroids are highly dangerous and users mortality rates are high. Anabolic steroids are used widely in the medical field without any serious health risks to users[25][26][27] and no scientific evidence has shown any long term serious health defects from correct use of anabolic steroids. While risk of death is present in many drugs, the risk of premature death from use of anabolic steroids seems to be extremely low.[28] It is possible this myth gained popularity from claims that Lyle Alzado died from brain cancer caused by anabolic steroids. Alzado himself had claimed that his cancer was caused by anabolic steroids. However, there is no medical evidence anabolic steroids can cause brain cancer and Alzado's own doctors admitted anabolic steroids had nothing to do with his death.[29]

More myths relating to purported side effects include claims that anabolic steroids have caused many teenagers to commit suicide. While lower levels of testosterone have been known to cause depression, and ending a steroid cycle is known to result in temporarily lower testosterone levels, the claim that anabolic steroids are responsible for specific suicides among teenagers is highly questionable. In the United states the estimated use of anabolic steroids among high school students was 2.8% in 1999. On the other hand, in the year 2000 in the United States, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds.[30] With the suicide rate this high among teenagers, concluding anabolic steroids are responsible for the suicides of teenagers who happened to be taking them prior to committing suicide is a Post hoc logical fallacy. Also, even though teen bodybuilders have been using steroids since at least the early 1960s, only a few cases suggesting a link between steroids and suicide have been reported in the medical literature.[31]

One of the most common misconceptions regarding the side effects of anabolic steroids is known as ‘roid rage’. There seems to be little or no evidence such a condition actually exists. Most studies done on "angry behavior" and anabolic steroid use show no psychological effect, implying that either "roid rage" doesn't exist or that anabolic steroids' effects on aggression are too small to be measured. Many scientists and medical professionals conclude anabolic steroids have no real effect on increased angry behavior.[32][33][34][35][36]

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the target of yet another myth regarding the purported side effects of anabolic steroids. Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted to using anabolic steroids during his bodybuilding career for many years[37], and in 1997 he went in for surgery to correct a defect relating to his heart. Some have assumed this was due to anabolic steroids. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born with a congenital genetic defect in which his heart had a bicuspid aortic valve — in other words, whereas normal hearts have three cusps, his had only two, which can occasionally cause problems later in life.[38]

kriptikchicken

They missed out the myth about us all eating young babies for breakfast...

....that is a myth isn't it? :?

JayCee2

i havent eaten one yet do they taste good?

good post mate

Squatty

As an aid to digestion - please remove all contents from the nappy first. Many punters have made the fatal mistake of confusing the nappy contents with the contents of Nick's peanut colada and have spent days strapped to a stomach pump as a result.

Great post Young Gun

JayCee2