14 DAY TRIAL // Recent reports estimate that around 38% of bodybuilders and weightlifters turn to anabolic steroids in an attempt to gain even more muscle mass and boost performance.
In a study in The Open Psychiatry Journal, researchers at Northumbria University show that, when used in high doses and for rather lengthy periods of time, anabolic steroids have a detrimental effect on the brain in that they impair memory.
As part of their investigation, the scientists tested the memory of 100 gym goers between the ages of 18 and 30. 50 of the study participants admitted to using steroids on a regular basis.
When compared to the other gym goers, the steroid users were found to have a more difficult time remembering things they were supposed to do. They also had trouble recollecting past information and occurrences, the specialists say.
More precisely, the team found that the prospective memory - things planned - and the retrospective memory - things past - of steroid users were 39% and 28% weaker, respectively.
Besides, the cognitive tests that the steroid users were subjected to showed that they also experienced difficulty paying attention, processing information and performing various tasks, all because of a faulty mental executive function.
“Our findings suggest that long-term use of anabolic-androgenic steroids has a significant impact on an individual’s everyday memory and ability to remember,” said specialist Tom Heffernan.
“This could affect many spheres of life, including interpersonal, occupational, educational and health-related aspects, given the ubiquitous nature of everyday remembering,” he added.
