The short answer is yes. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are the steroids used by those wanting to increase muscle mass usually in the context of sporting competitions. We hear about athletes being penalized after they are caught testing positive for these substances. This topic has gained much attention recently with former professional wrestler, Chris Benoit who killed himself as well as his wife and son in Fayetteville, Ga. He was found to have anabolic steroids in his home.
The term “Roid Rage” has been around for a while and even used as a defense in some cases where someone claimed to have harmed someone under the influence of anabolic steroid use. Non-anabolic steroids such as prednisone are commonly prescribed for many inflammatory conditions or other conditions such as asthma. However, they can have mental health consequences such as psychosis, depression and mania. Androgenic anabolic steroids are testosterone-based and in addition to psychosis, depression and mania, can also cause increased aggression. Some athletes who use these performance enhancing drugs, will notice changes such as being more easily angered or irritable. Some athletic activities that involve contact, can be a natural outlet for the increased aggression.
Some criticize the wrestling community for lending itself to athletes abusing these drugs unchecked. As an activity that is a mix of sports and entertainment, the participants are not monitored in the same way as professional athletes.
Perhaps this recent death of a wrestling heavy weight and the deaths of several other wrestlers will bring more attention to the issue of anabolic androgenic steroid use.
Let me know what you think