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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael D on March 26, 2002, at 21:21:11
I read a post (on the internet) that steroids can be a mood enhancer. The poster said that he can cry on a dime when he is taking steroids.
Any comments?
Michael D
Posted by OldSchool on March 26, 2002, at 22:12:46
In reply to Steroids as a mood enhancer, posted by Michael D on March 26, 2002, at 21:21:11
> I read a post (on the internet) that steroids can be a mood enhancer. The poster said that he can cry on a dime when he is taking steroids.
>
> Any comments?
>
> Michael DThe above question is way too generalized. It depends on what type of steroid you are talking about. Corticosteroids such as prednisone generally cause depression. But not always. Many claim prednisone gives them a little mood lift. Corticosteroids can cause depression, mania, psychosis, all kinds of nasty and negative psychiatric changes. Most people revert back to normal after going off the corticosteroids, but a few dont and remain in the worsened state.
One of the leading theories of depression right now involves excess secretion of one of the body's own naturally produced corticosteroid...cortisol. The theory (oversimplified of course) is that when we become excessively stressed out over long periods of time, our bodies secrete too much cortisol and other stress corticosteroids which "burns out" the brain in sublte ways. Resulting in development of depression and anxiety disorders. Corticosteroids are "catabolic" compounds, that is they tear down muscle tissue and other tissue and well, I would assume nerve tissue such as the brain. Bodybuilders who overtrain often claim they have high levels of cortisol and take L-glutamine to shock their cortisol levels back down, which speeds recovery.
This stuff is complicated, to say the least.
Then there is the other kind of steroid. Anabolic steroids. Like testosterone. These types of steroids are the exact opposite of corticosteroids, these are anabolic, not catabolic. Anabolics are said to cause a raised mood, a feeling of well being, an increase in sex drive. In fact, there are some clinical trials using anabolic steroids in depression in men. One of them I know for a fact is at Columbia University.
Of course even anabolic steroids can create serious psychiatric changes. "Roid rage" and other psychiatric symptoms. The bottom line is when you are messing with any type of steroid, you are potentially messing with your psychiatric health.
My personal advice is take these substances ONLY when truly needed, for a serious medical condition. Dont take them for trivial reasons like poison ivy.
Old School
This is the end of the thread.
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