Do anabolic steroids have an effect on aggression and hostility? Anabolic steroids have been widely used among athletes since the 1950s; the purpose of use is to add muscle mass, speed, strength and endurance. Anabolic steroids are available in two methods, injectable forms and oral forms. Oral and injectable steroids are metabolized differently in the body. Oral steroids include some different hormones than injectable steroids. Oral steroids may include, but are not limited to, methyl testosterone, fluoxymestrerone, and stonazolol. Injectable steroids may contain, but are not limited to, trenbolone acetate, testosterone propionate, and stanzol. Surveys have been conducted that have shown that 80-100 bodybuilders, weightlifters, and professional athletes have used or use steroids. As steroid doses become larger and larger, it is said to increase aggression, loss of fatigue, less libido, and mood changes. A study was conducted to determine whether these so-called side effects were true or not. The study was conducted on three weightlifters who had been taking steroids for several years. Each of the participants was tested four times; once without steroids, then twice with steroids and another time without steroids. The experiment used a control group of three weightlifters who had never used steroids. Participants' ages ranged from 21 to 29 years and the years of training experienced ranged from 4 to 11 years. They wanted to find participants of roughly the same age and with the same level of experience to ensure adequate results and try to limit factors that could potentially influence the outcome of the experiment. Steroids are usually taken during a cycle. Most anabolic steroid cycles range from 3 to 11 weeks in… middle of paper… Effects on Hostility and Aggression. Human Psychopharmacology, 5, 349-356. Lorang, M., Callahan, B., Cummins, K., Achar, S., & Brown, S. (2011). Anabolic androgenic steroid use in adolescents: prevalence, demographics, and perception of effects. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 20, 358-369. Yates, W., Perry, P., & Murray, S. (1992). Aggression and hostility in anabolic steroid users. Biological Psychiatry, 31(12), 1232-1234. Anabolic steroid abuse. (n.d.). What effects do anabolic steroids have on behavior?. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/anabolic-steroid-abuse/what-effects-do-anabolic-steroids-have-behaviorSide Effects of Steroid Abuse - Steroidabuse.com. (n.d.). Side Effects of Steroid Abuse - Steroidabuse.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.steroidabuse.com/side-effects-of-steroids.html