Throughout the history of athletics, athletes have looked for ways to become better, faster, and stronger. Steroid use is one of the most popular choices among these athletes. Steroids are synthetic hormones that produce specific physiological effects on the body and have been used since the 1930s (Center for Substance Abuse Research). Although the German scientists who discovered steroids did not intend to use them for bodybuilding or to build better athletes, the use of steroids has become a controversial topic regarding users' health and other issues. morals. The use of steroids in athletics is physically and morally wrong because it essentially promotes the deterioration of the health of athletes and unfair competition between these athletes. Although some athletes will say that steroids give them an added advantage over their competitors, numerous studies have shown that the risks of steroid use far outweigh the benefits, especially in adolescents. Anabolic and androgenic steroids, which are the most commonly used, have harmful effects on the entire body. Brain damage is the most harmful of these effects. When injected or taken orally, steroids have dangerous mental effects, such as extreme mood swings, violence, steroid withdrawal, and depression leading to suicide (National Institute on Drug Abuse drugs). This is more intense in adolescents (“Dangers of Steroid Abuse in Teenagers”). These mental effects would not only harm their body, but would harm their personal life and relationships with others. These negative effects are not worth the added benefit an athlete receives from steroids. In addition to adverse mental effects, steroid abuse extremely damages major bodily functions. For example, ...... middle of paper ...... Muscle & Fitness. September 1, 1997. Web. February 27, 2010.Longman, Jere. "OLYMPICS; Drug Control Agency Speaks of Steroid Program by American Athletes." The New York Times. The New York Times. October 17, 2003. The web. February 27, 2010. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Steroids (anabolic-androgenic).” National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institutes of Health. and Web. February 9, 2010. Rhoden, William C. “Why Baseball Should Keep Talking About the Past.” » The New York Times. The New York Times. January 12, 2010. The web. February 9, 2010.Stepan, Kate. "Students Question Cortisone Use in College Sports." The GW hatchet. College Media Network. March 6, 2000. the web. February 27, 2010. “Steroids Discovered in Murder, Suicide Investigation.” »ESPN. ESPN. June 27, 2007. the web. February 21, 2010.Zundel, Irene Helen. “Steroids: Recognizing Addiction in Adolescents.” EduGuide. EduGuide. and Web. February 9. 2010.