DRUGS

RESEARCH PROJECT

Anabolic Steroids
CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD
Anabolic or anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances are related to testosterone.
They have both muscle building and masculinizing effects. The more muscle you have the more
testosterone you have.
Misuse – Anabolic Steroids are misused in various ways. They can be consumed orally, an
injection or gels and creams. People mainly use anabolic steroids to improve their appearance
and physical strength. Anabolic steroids are often overdosed to over ten to two hundred times the
amount prescribed by a doctor. Various ways people misuse anabolic steroids include:
 Cycles – persons may consume for a prolonged period of time, rest, and then restart
 Stacks – take more than one anabolic steroid at once
 Pyramiding – gradually increase their intake of steroids
 Plateauing- use an alternative steroid to hinder a liking for one type of steroid

Image showing effects of anabolic steroids on lungs (before and after)

Image showing muscle mass changes after using anabolic steroids (before and after)

Examples of legal and illegal anabolic steroids:

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD

 LEGAL ILLEGAL

D-Bal Max Anadrol

Testo Prime Anavar

HyperGH 14x Dianabol

Uses of certain anabolic steroids before it became illegal

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD

  Anadrol
Anadrol was used to boost nitrogen levels in the body. Furthermore, it increased the flow of
blood and nutrients supplied to the muscles. In ancient times, it was used to because it
increased sexual desire. They were made illegal in the 70’s when someone overdosed on the
drug and died.

 Anavar
Anavar significantly increases muscle mass and blood flow. Anavar was made illegal after
someone received a heart attack and unusual bone growth after their intake.

 Dianabol
Dianabol was one of the best muscle builders ever made. However, because of its chemical
composition, there are many negative side effects on the body, gynecomastia, generalized
organ stress and even high blood pressure. Hence, it became illegal

DEPRESSANTS
Depressants affect the central nervous system. They slow down reaction time, decrease

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD

inhibitions, damage brain cells, relax users and make them more sociable. Alcohol is a
depressant. Another popular example is cannabis. It is usually smoked, or can be baked
in cakes and made into tea. Cannabis relaxes people, but it can make it very difficult to
learn or concentrate. It also causes users to become very paranoid, anxious and
sometimes psychotic, Smoking cannabis links many health problems such as
schizophrenia, especially if taken during the teenage years. Another popular example of
a depressant is opioids such as heroin and morphine.
Usually, depressants come in a capsule. They are misused in the following ways:

 Plateauing – mixing depressants with other substances such as alcohol or prescription

opioids
 Crushing – persons crush them into a powder like substance to snort
 Counteraction – taking depressants to counteract the effects of stimulants 9its polar
opposite)

Image showing a cannabis cookie

Examples of legal and illegal depressants:

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD

 LEGAL ILLEGAL

Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax) GHB

Opioids Meprobamate

Barbiturates Methaqualone

Why were the following made illegal?

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD

GHB – It was used mainly to get high. GHB was often used in drinks and has been involved in
many sexual assaults. It was known to cause amnesia, drowsiness and impaired movement and
speech. Therefore, it became illegal in 1990.

Meprobamate – It was used to relieve tension. Meprobamate causes diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea,
headaches and many more. It became illegal in Trinidad and Tobago when it was illegally used
in a food sold to someone in a restaurant. Additionally, it violated the “Food and Drug
Regulation” of Trinidad and Tobago.

Methaqualone – Methaqualone acted as a sedative and hypnotic drug. It induced people’s sleep.
It was made illegal by the Drug Enforcement Agency in 1980 when there were cases of abuse
while using the drug.

CONTRIBUTION BY AARON. A. SEEPERSAD