“Roid Rage” Is it real or a myth? by Jerry Brainum 3/23

 

The most controversial aspect of anabolic steroid usage is the effects of the drugs on the brain. Although I recently discussed how androgens affect the brain in a recent article in this publication, here I want to focus on whether using anabolic steroid drugs can cause adverse behavioral changes that can cause harm to the user of the drugs and others. Most users of anabolic steroids or AS scoff at the notion of what's come to be known as 'Roid Rage. "Roid rage" is usually described as a loss of impulse control and greatly increased feelings of aggression and anger. A few years ago, a professional wrestler named Chris Benoit killed his family and himself. A search of his home found that he was an extensive user of anabolic steroid drugs. That finding led many scientists to speculate that Benoit's extreme behavior resulted from his use of high-dose steroid regimes. But an autopsy of Benoit revealed that his brain showed extensive trauma damage, likely related to various brain injuries he had suffered during the course of his wrestling career. The point here is that the level of brain trauma that he showed could easily lead to negative personality characteristics, including anger and violence. Not only that but pro wrestlers are known to favor other drugs that can also provoke anti-social behavior, such as methamphetamines. So no one can say for sure what caused Benoit's ultimately tragic behavior.

But this raises the question of just how does use of anabolic steroid drugs affect the brain. Other stories of professional athletes acting badly in public are often written off to them using high doses of anabolic steroids, which changed their behavior for the worst. The public concept of anabolic steroids is that they function as "Jekyll and Hyde" drugs capable of converting a calm, normal person into a destructive monster. Most athletes and bodybuilders who use high-dose steroid regimes laugh at such notions, claiming that any aggression induced by steroids is channeled into their workouts in the gym. Some, however, are not aware of their own behavioral changes because the changes that do occur with steroid use may be more subtle and not as obvious. These changes include increased irritability, which is often ascribed to dietary changes rather than drug use. Preparing for a bodybuilding contest event or even just trying to lose superfluous body fat mandates a reduction in calorie intake, and that makes anyone feel moody. However, in the course of my many years dealing with bodybuilders and athletes as a writer for major bodybuilding magazines, I have observed behavior that cannot be solely ascribed to going on a restricted diet. I have seen bodybuilders go nuts after losing a contest that they thought they should have won.

One such instance occurred at a USA bodybuilding contest held in . . .