ANDROGEN EMOTIONAL TOXICITY SYNDROME
The speculated ”roid rage” deals with the consequences of performance enhancing drugs (PED’s) and androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) abuse in the mental status and psychology of bodybuilders. The psychopathological aspect of PED’s /AAS neurotoxicity and dependence can present as a chronic-long term adverse effect, or in the form of episodes-crisis adverse effect.
Apart from the fact that bodybuilders have an external appearance way freakier that the average individual, the combination of an extreme low carbohydrate, low caloric diet, along with exhausting training along with chemical enhancement abuse, would make an explosive combination, leading eventually to a psychopathologic behavior.
Roid rage has been associated with various psychiatric manifestations such as sleep disorders (insomnia), anxiety, mania, depression (bipolar disorder),irritability, aggression, violence, suicidal behavior, psychosis, confusion and delirium.It’s quite common that heavy steroid users have a lower threshold of patience and lose their temper easier, making them to act spontaneously, driven by their instinct without thinking logically. Long-term abuse may lead to the development of a dependence syndrome and withdrawal symptoms on cessation. [1,2]
In terms of cognition, only a handful of studies have investigated the cognitive deficits associated with the long-term use of AAS. They have shown that the abuse of AAS is associated with self-reported retrospective and prospective memory deficits. Furthermore, other studies revealed selective cognitive deficits in AAS users, with specific deficits on cognitive measures of inhibitory control and attention, with no differences in terms of planning or decision making. Taken together, these findings suggest there may be selective cognitive deficits associated with persistent AAS use. [3]
Whereas the exact mechanisms of the adverse consequences of AAS use are unclear, they are likely partly reflecting disruptions of brain networks implicated in emotional and cognitive regulation. AAS readily passes the blood-brain barrier and affect central nervous system function. Androgen receptors (AR) are abundantly expressed in the amygdala, hippocampus of the limbic system, brain stem, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex implicating a wide range of functions, including regulation of emotion and cognition. AR correspond to different chemical substances, which are able to cross the blood brain barrier and the placental barrier as well (17 ? trenbolone). As a result, some anabolic steroids with a high level of androgenicity, for instance fluoxymesterone (800 androgenic index) or trenbolone (500 androgenic index), have the ability to bind tighter to the AR. [4]
It has being demonstrated that neural junctions transmit signals much faster, reflecting directly to serotonin, dopamine metabolism. However, this is not exclusively linked to the androgenic activity of a particular AAS. Nandrolone decaonate (Deca Durabolin), a 19nortestosterone derivative AAS, prescribed medically for the treatment of osteopenia, muscle wasting and anemia, has been associated with several behavioural disorders in superphysiological treatment doses (>200mg/15 days).Therefore, on-medical use of AAS carries neurodegenerative potential. [4]
Recent animal studies have shown this AAS effect, ranging from neurotrophin unbalance to increased neuronal susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli. Experimental and animal studies strongly suggest that apoptotic mechanisms are at least in part involved in AAS induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, a great body of evidence is suggesting that increased cellular oxidative stress to cerebral neurons could play a major role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders, such as manic-depression, or bipolar effect. [5,6] Several different studies suggest that a wide range of psychiatric side effects induced by the use of AAS is correlated to the severity of abuse in terms of dosage and time period. [3,8-9]
In another study, 17?-trenbolone was administered to adult and pregnant rats and the primary hippocampus neurons. Hippocampus is a certain area in the mesencephalon (midbrain) belonging to the limbic system, associated with behavior. 17?-trenbolone accumulated in adult rat brain, especially in the hippocampus, and in the fetus brain. 17?-trenbolone induced apoptosis of primary hippocampal neurons. Therefore, 17?-trenbolone played critical roles in neurodegeneration. [7 ] Large doses of trenbolone and bodybuilders-powerlifters-strongmen, which are exposed to 17?-trenbolone by various ways, are all influenced chronically and continually. As a result, it is not only a matter of dose, but duration as well. [3,7]
Cerebral MRI examinations of persons who abused chronically AAS, showed enlarged the amygdala, a certain area of mesencephalon belonging to the limbic system. Amydgala along with hippocampus determine the emotional status. It’s important to mention that metabolism of glutamic acid was also increased. As well known, glutamine is an important amino acid, taking part in brain’s metabolism. Moreover, it was demonstrated by psychiatric tests that chronic AAS abusers, suffered from short term amnesia and perhaps Alzheimer disease. [3, 8,10]
Some other anabolic steroids, such as methandrostenolone-methandienone (methyltestosterone’s derivative ) convert to estrogen. Aromatization is the production of estrogens, by activation of aromatase enzyme in different tissues (breast, liver, adipose, brain). Estrogens are linked directly with neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, thus improving mood. As a result, Dianabol will induce a euphoric effect and addiction is highly to occur, both mentally and physically.
On the other hand testosterone is a natural existing hormone, which males produce on a daily basis. It is not a synthetic derivative like AAS. However, investigations regarding testosterone’s effect in human behavior revealed that increased levels of circulating testosterone in serum was associated with significant increase in anger and hostility. [2] Testosterone undecaonate, enanthate, cypionate are different types of esters used in hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in males during andropause.
About hypogonadal men, who undergo andropause, testosterone supplementation has beneficial effects on mood, self esteem, and sexual desire. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has positive, beneficial effects on depression, anemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, sarcopenia, osteopenia and fatigue. It improves insulin resistance, physical strength, libido, bone mineral density and red blood cell count. Testosterone application has shown that a single administration of 100mg TU in eugonadal males, results in supraphysiological serum testosterone levels, resulting in minor mood changes. On the contrary, hypogonadal males who undergo HRT have no detectable-to limited changes in behavior. [2]
The current literature on AAS usage suggests that some users develop episodes of insomnia, aggression (physical and verbal), irritability, anxiety, neurosis, mood swings-emotional instability, hypomania, manic episodes, depression and rarely phychosis-missconcemptions. However, AAS abusers expose themselves to extreme higher doses, that quite common is referred as stacking cycles of different substances. [1, 2, 8,9] AAS use has also been proven to unmask behavioral disorders, such as increased aggression, hostility, and unprovoked rage attacks. These emotional and behavioral outbursts referred to as “roid rage,” defined as sudden and exaggerated aggression induced by AAS use which is prone to a subliminal provocation. In addition, AAS users often suffer from a vigilant mindset accompanied by inability to adjust to situations, which then results in frustration and impulsiveness. Moreover, AAS use has also been associated to a wide range of violent crimes and domestic violence, particularly, physical abuse of the partner.[10] A “withdrawal syndrome” induced by AAS abuse has been clearly described, consisting mainly of depressed mood, fatigue, AAS craving, restlessness, anorexia, insomnia, and decreased libido lasting for several weeks or months. [11]
What is most important, is to evaluate the psychiatric background of those users, being able to identify if they had a poor genetic predisposition and mental illness history, before they even begun AAS use. We conclude that each person reacts different under same circumstances, depending on his character, temper, or level of education. Besides the genetic predisposition of the user the extent of neurotoxicity of PED’s/AAS also varies with the duration, dosage of abuse, concurrent organic diseases, use of other medications and neurotoxic chemicals, such as marijuana (weed), ethanol or narcotics. Also as a result of their body image concerns, AAS users may abuse a wide range of additional substances to gain muscle, lose fat, or otherwise affect body appearance. These substances, include other hormones, beta agonists (clenbuterol), stimulants (amphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine) and numerous other agents (diuretics). The habit of polydrug abuse among AAS users makes the neurotoxic effects more severe.
Other drugs that belong to the class of CNS stimulants (ephedrine HCL, clenbuterol HCL, methyloxanthines, amphetamines), as soon as they are discontinued, rebound effect is more likely to occur. It is a similar case to a hangover, resulting from alcohol abuse, or withdrawal symptoms of cocaine. Remarkably, it was narcolepsy to which amphetamines were manufactured. Therefore, we could make the assumption that amphetamines, ephedrine alkaloids, methyloxanthines, or even ?2 agonists are highly addictive too, when they are ceased abruptly. Another class of narcotics, acting as potent painkillers, has a highly addictive effect on brain’s chemistry. Codeine is an opioid, which belongs to the same family with heroin. Nubain (synthetic morphine) was a widely used pain killer among professional athletes and there are rumors that this kind of drug was claimed to be the reason that IFBB Pro, Paul De Mayo was pronounced dead at the age of 38.
The understanding of the precise underlying mechanisms and the pathophysiology of AAS-induced neuropsychiatric disorders is relatively recent and appears to be related to chronic AAS exposure. At low concentrations, AAS has trivial effects on the mood,self esteem and cognitive function, as well as perceived to be clinically beneficial when used in accordance with the treatment protocols for dysthymia or melancholy and refractory depression. Nonetheless, at superphysiological doses, AAS abuse may induce neurochemical or structural alterations in the brain.
References:
- Anabolic steroid abuse: psychiatric and physical costs. Talih F, Fattal O, Malone D Jr. Cleve Clin J Med.2007 May;74(5):341-4, 346, 349-52.
- Effects of testosterone on mood, aggression, and sexual behavior in young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. O’Connor DB, Archer J, Wu FC.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004, 89(6):2837-45.
- Everyday Memory Deficits Associated with Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use in Regular Gymnasium Users. Thomas M. Heffernan, Lisa Battersby, el al. The Open Psychiatry Journal, 2015, 9: 1-6
- The Impact of Nandrolone Decanoate on the Central Nervous System. Francesco P. Busardò, Paola Fratiet al. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015, 13(1): 122–131.
- Chronic Use of Anabolic Steroids and the Effects on the Neuronal Density of the Cerebral Cortex and Hippocampus in Mice. Dauanda Kécia Silva, Alessandra Esteves, et al. American Journal of Sports Science 2018 Sep 6;3: 122-129
- Toxic Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Primary Rat Cortical Cell Cultures. Sofia Zelleroth, Erik Nylander Fred Nyberg, et al. Neuroscience 397 (2019) 172–183
- 17?-trenbolone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid as well as an environmental hormone, contributes to neurodegeneration. Ma F, Liu D. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.2015 Jan 1;282(1):68-76.
- Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenicsteroid users Lars T.Westlye,Tobias Kaufmann, et al. Neuroimage Clin. 2017; 13: 62–69.
- The Role of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Disruption of the Physiological Function in Discrete Areas of the Central Nervous System. Giuseppe Bertozzi, Francesco Sessa, et al. Molecular Neurobiology2018, 55; 7:5548–5556
10. Structural Brain Imaging of Long-Term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users and Nonusing Weightlifters. A Bjørnebekk, KB Walhovd,et al. Biological PsychiatryAugust 2017,82;4 (15) :294-302
- Brower, K. J. (2002). Anabolic steroid abuse and dependence. Curr. Psychiatry Rep.4, 377–387. doi: 10.1007/s11920-002-0086-6