When we hear the term “steroids,” most of us think of athletes and bodybuilders using them to enhance performance and gain muscle. But the history of steroids is far more complex, stretching back thousands of years and involving both medical advancements and controversial uses in sports.
What are steroids, and how did their use evolve?
Steroids are a class of synthetic substances that mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones in the body, particularly testosterone. They are widely used today for medical purposes, but their reputation has been marred by their abuse in the world of sports and bodybuilding. To truly understand the impact of steroids, we need to explore their history — from ancient medicine to their role in modern-day performance enhancement.
The Early Beginnings: Steroids in Ancient Times
Steroids didn’t suddenly appear in the 20th century. The use of substances to enhance physical performance and treat medical conditions dates back to ancient civilizations. Early forms of “steroids” were found in natural substances, such as plants, herbs, and animal parts.
Ancient Egypt and Greece: Natural Performance Enhancers
The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used natural substances for boosting strength and stamina, which laid the groundwork for steroid use in the future.
- Ancient Egypt: There are historical accounts that suggest the Egyptians used extracts from plants like the opium poppy and other herbal compounds to relieve pain and enhance physical ability.
- Ancient Greece: The Greeks believed in the concept of “sports as a form of worship” to the gods. As such, they used a combination of special diets, animal fats, and plants to improve physical prowess. Some scholars even claim that they used animal blood and testicles to enhance strength and endurance in athletes.
Although these substances weren’t synthetic steroids, they were precursors to the methods later used to increase performance.
Ancient Rome: The First Signs of Hormonal Understanding
In the Roman Empire, gladiators were the first to use substances to improve strength and endurance. Roman gladiators often consumed animal liver and other body parts, believing that these would imbue them with strength and vitality. These early practices hinted at the possibility that substances could be used to modify bodily performance, an idea that would eventually lead to the development of anabolic steroids.
The Birth of Modern Steroids: 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Fast forward to the 19th and early 20th centuries, where the first significant developments in steroid research began to take shape.
1. Discovery of Testosterone: The 19th Century Breakthrough
In the late 19th century, scientists began to understand the role of hormones in the human body. The key discovery was testosterone, the hormone responsible for the development of male physical characteristics like muscle mass, strength, and body hair.
- Testosterone Extraction: In 1889, a French chemist named Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard famously injected himself with extracts from dog and guinea pig testes, claiming that it restored his youthful vigor. While the efficacy of his experiment was debated, it raised awareness about the potential for hormones to influence physical and mental performance.
- The Isolation of Testosterone: In 1935, the first isolation of testosterone was achieved by researchers at the University of Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in the history of steroids. This discovery set the stage for the creation of synthetic anabolic steroids.
2. Development of Synthetic Steroids: 1930s and 1940s
The 1930s and 1940s saw the rise of synthetic steroids.
- Anabolic Steroids: Researchers began experimenting with synthetic versions of testosterone to produce anabolic steroids — substances designed to increase muscle growth and strength without causing the masculinizing effects of testosterone.
- The Role of the Medical Community: Early medical use of anabolic steroids focused on treating conditions like hypogonadism (low testosterone), muscle wasting, and delayed puberty in boys. In the 1940s, steroids were also used to help soldiers and athletes recover from injuries.
The Explosion of Steroid Use: 1950s-1980s
By the mid-20th century, the medical community had acknowledged the usefulness of anabolic steroids, but the substances had also begun to make their way into sports. This period marked the dawn of the so-called “steroid era.”
1. Steroids in Sports: The 1950s and 1960s
- Bodybuilding and Weightlifting: During the 1950s, bodybuilders and weightlifters were some of the first athletes to experiment with steroids, gaining muscle mass and improving performance. Legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger came into prominence during this time, although steroids were not as openly discussed as they are today.
- Olympic Use: In 1954, the Soviet Union started to provide anabolic steroids to Olympic athletes, giving them an edge in international competitions. This practice quickly spread to other countries as the cold war rivalry heightened the desire to gain an advantage in sports.
2. Public Awareness and Controversy: The 1970s and 1980s
By the 1970s, steroids were no longer a secret, and their use in sports, particularly in bodybuilding and Olympic competitions, became widely known. However, this also led to increasing concerns over their health risks and ethical implications.
- The Rise of Performance-Enhancing Drugs: As the use of steroids spread to other competitive sports, the issue of “cheating” gained traction. Athletes began to use steroids more systematically to gain an edge in competitions.
- Health Risks and Side Effects: By the 1980s, more research revealed the potential health risks associated with anabolic steroid use, including liver damage, cardiovascular problems, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances.
The Legal and Regulatory Shift: 1990s to Present
As steroid use became more widespread in the athletic world, governments and sports organizations began to step in to regulate the substances.
1. The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990
In the United States, the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 made it illegal to possess or distribute anabolic steroids without a prescription. This move was prompted by growing concern over the prevalence of steroid abuse in professional sports.
2. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
In 1999, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sports worldwide. WADA developed more sophisticated testing methods to detect anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, which further discouraged athletes from using these substances.
Modern-Day Use of Steroids: The Continuing Debate
Despite their regulation, the use of anabolic steroids continues, particularly in bodybuilding, weightlifting, and other strength-based sports. Moreover, steroids are still used in medical settings, often to treat conditions like hormone deficiencies, anemia, and even cancer-related muscle wasting.
Medical Use of Steroids Today
While performance enhancement has become the primary public association with steroids, medical uses are still significant.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly prescribed to older men with low testosterone levels, and anabolic steroids can also be used to treat wasting diseases.
- Muscle Wasting Diseases: Steroids continue to play a role in treating conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe burns, where muscle wasting can occur.
The Ethical Debate
The ethical questions surrounding steroid use are more relevant than ever. Many argue that athletes should be allowed to use substances like steroids to level the playing field, while others maintain that the risks to health and the fairness of competition are too great.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
The history of steroids is a story of discovery, controversy, and evolving medical and societal norms. From ancient Egypt to the modern-day world of professional sports, steroids have transformed how we think about performance, medicine, and fairness. While their use in sports remains contentious, their legitimate medical applications continue to benefit many.
In the end, understanding the history of steroids helps us navigate the delicate balance between their potential benefits and the need for regulation. As society continues to grapple with the consequences of steroid use, both in sports and in medicine, the legacy of these substances is far from over.
References:
- Bahrke, M. S., & Yesalis, C. E. (2004). History of anabolic steroid use in sport and exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.
- Hartgens, F., & Kuipers, H. (2004). Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Medicine.
- Evans, N. A. (2004). Anabolic steroids: a review of the literature. Sports Medicine.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency. (2021). WADA Anti-Doping Rules.
- Brown-Séquard, C. E. (1889). The effects of testicular extracts. Lancet.