Muscle enhancers are supplements used by body builders and other athletes in order to increase muscle strength, size and performance. They come in various forms, including anabolic-androgenic steroids and supplements that contain stimulants or creatine. According to the Mayo Clinic, the potential short-term benefits of muscle enhancers are often tempered by serious risks. For this reason, doctor's guidance is suggested prior to taking muscle enhancing supplements of any kind.
Altered Moods and Behavior
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic renditions of the male sex hormone testosterone. They affect brain pathways and chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), long-term use of steroid-based muscle enhancers can cause drastic changes in a person's moods and behavior. Partakers may demonstrate irritability, anger and aggression. The NIDA also suggests that steroid muscle enhancers may contribute to psychiatric symptoms, such as severe mania (emotional highs) and inflated self-perception. Additional symptoms may include extreme paranoia, jealousy, delusions, and self-perceived invincibility, which may dampen judgment and increase risk for bodily harm and accidents.
Hair, Skin and Sexual Changes
Since anabolic-androgenic steroids replicate testosterone, sexual changes may occur that affect reproductive health, sexual function and physical appearance. According to the Mayo Clinic, men may develop enlarged breasts, shrunken tentacles and infertility. Women may develop a deepened voice, an enlarged clitoris and excessive body hair. Women and men may develop severe acne and baldness. Youth who take anabolic-adrogenic steroids may experience delayed puberty.
Cholesterol Problems
Anabolic-androgenic steroids can affect hinder a person's cholesterol levels. According to the Mayo Clinic, partakers may develop increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called HDL or "good" cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol coupled with low HDL cholesterol increases risk for cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. People with personal or family history of cholesterol problems or cardiovascular disease may stand at heightened risk for these effects.
Liver Problems
Steriod-based muscle enhancers may interfere with the liver--an organ significant in the breakdown of food and ridding the body of toxins. According to the NIDA, jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, may occur. In some cases this is a sign of liver damage, which may also stem from muscle enhancers. Liver tumors and other abnormalities have also been reported by steroid users.
Stimulant Effects
Ingredients in non-steroid based muscle enhancers vary. Numerous varieties contain stimulants, such as caffeine and herbal stimulants, such as guarana, ephedra or ginseng, in order to increase a person's energy and boost aggressiveness during exercise. Stimulant-based muscle enhancers may cause increased heart rate and insomnia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additional side effects may include tremors, weight loss, increased blood pressure, hallucinations and convulsions. These effects may lead to life-threatening conditions, such as heart attacks.
Digestive Effects
Numerous muscle enhancers contain creatine--a synthetic form of a hormone produced by the body that helps muscles emit energy. According to the Mayo Clinic, creatine may cause stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, water retention and diarrhea. Though body builders often wish to gain weight, the Mayo Clinic suggests that weight gained through long-term use of creatine may be due to water retention rather than increased muscle mass.
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