History of Steroids

When we look at the history of steroids the expansion is something quite remarkable; in both terms of those who use them, why they use them, as well as the expansion of steroids themselves. Look back at the beginning; open your history of steroids text book and see how far we have come. In the beginning, when speaking of steroids created for performance enhancing use there was only one; testosterone.

In 1937 the first clinical trials involving human beings using testosterone propionate began; this was shortly after German chemists had discovered how to isolate gonadal hormones just a few short years prior. The discovery and trials were viewed monumentally successful as the two fathers of anabolic steroids Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1939 in recognition of their work. In every chapter of history, no matter the subject, you have moments that are defining, points in time that signify a beginning. Take for example American History, you have several moments that can arguably be called “The Starting Point” such as the many events of the early pilgrims but most agree the true beginning started with “The Revolution” and he who is considered the father of the country George Washington. The same logic can be applied to Butenandt and Ruzicka; they were not the first to explore anabolic steroids, much like George Washington was not the first to lead a revolution; but all things must start somewhere and as Washington marks the beginning of the History of the United States, so Butenandt and Ruzicka mark the beginning of the history of steroids. 

Moving into the future, shortly after the advent of useable and safe testosterone, U.S. Olympic Team Doctor John Ziegler made a breakthrough that would echo through the chapters of the history of steroids in response to the dominating manner in-which the Soviet Union had manhandled the U.S. teams; Ziegler made a massive breakthrough in the anabolic world giving us the first taste of the drug methandrostenolone. Maybe you’re not sure what that is, if not it’s because you know it as Dianabol or Dbol; you know, the little pink tabs that are popped like tic-tac’s the gym world over. Zieglar’s breakthrough drug made an impact on the history of steroids that has been felt ever since; Dianabol would become one of the most sought after steroids not only then but throughout the history of steroids due to its simple oral availability and amazing qualities.

As the history of steroids began to grow so did the various types and that history continues to grow each and every year. Since the birthing of anabolics used for performance enhancing has come and gone a long list of various forms of anabolic androgenic steroids have been born and when you’re looking at the history of steroids this list can get very, very long but it all started with simple and basic testosterone and Dianabol and to this day no matter how rich and deep the history of steroids gets the two original anabolic steroids still remain atop most anyone’s list.

Beyond the creation of what now reaches into the hundreds of versions and forms of anabolic steroids, as that has grown so has the population of those who use them and perhaps more importantly why. For over half a century competitive bodybuilders and power lifters have reaped the benefits of anabolic steroids and unknown to many are these same steroids also have a very important use in the medical field. Burn victims, aids patients, cancer patients and many others who befall a many a disease are prescribed some of the very anabolic steroids used by those looking for a performing edge but when it comes to the history of steroids perhaps most interesting is a group of people who use them who do not need them for competitive reasons nor in dire need due to a crippling disease.

As anabolic steroids became popular in power lifting circles, soon after they would fall into the hands of and perhaps lead to the explosion of the Golden Age of bodybuilding. Shortly thereafter anabolic steroids would begin to creep into every manner of competitive sports imaginable and as of today no signs of slowing this down are at hand; be that good or bad is for you to decide. It is however the use of anabolic steroids that has exploded in this next category of the population that is perhaps the most interesting; we’re of course talking about the simple day to day guy. Through the history of steroids this sample of the population represents a small fraction of that history but is ever growing and more rapidly than perhaps any other group. For “Experts” those who enforce and create many of the laws surrounding anabolic steroids, this seems to be a difficult thing for them to understand. These “Day-to-Day” guys are not taking steroids to compete on a bodybuilding stage; they are not taking steroids to hit more home runs, to hit harder on the football field; they do not have any specific sporting event or competition they’re eying at all; this group of people is using anabolic steroids for a very simple reason, to look and feel better and that’s all.

In the United States it is estimated that millions use anabolic steroids every year. The exact number is hard to pinpoint; after all, it’s not something many can openly admit. However, the number of users is growing and growing rapidly, opening up a new chapter in the history of steroids that is yet to be written. How will it play out? Is it good or bad? Again, this is for you to decide but in the end regardless of the side of the fence in-which you fall, the history of steroids will continue to evolve and be told.