A new study from the University of Gothenburg, third oldest Swedish university, has found a prominent link between anabolic-androgenic steroids and mental health problems in later life.
The study conducted by the University of Gothenburg's centre for education and research center on addiction (CERA) found that exposure to anabolic -androgenic steroids can lead to mental health problems in later life. The results of the study are based on examining nearly 700 former Swedish wrestlers, weightlifters, power lifters and throwers. Twenty percent of the participants admitted to using steroids during their career.
Abuse of anabolic steroids is often linked to various health disorders such as heart problems and liver damage. These steroids are used to enhance performance in sports, racing and bodybuilding muscles.
"We found a clear link. AAS users were more likely to have been treated for depression, concentration problems and aggressive behavior," says Claudia Fahlke, director at CERA.
Researchers also found that participants who used anabolic-androgenic steroids were most likely exposed to other illegal drugs and alcohol consumption. But the researchers could not find if the source of mental health problem was the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids or vice versa.
"What we were able to show, though, is that psychiatric symptoms and use of steroids and other drugs tend to reinforce each other in a vicious cycle. This suggests that the anti-doping efforts remain very important, both in and outside of sports," Fahlke adds.
The findings of the study are published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
