It was first proposed in the 1930s that testosterone might be extracted from the testicles. Adolf Butenandt, a chemist, extracted androstenone (a male hormone) from hundreds of litres of pee in 1931 and was able to obtain about 15mg of it.
Scientists were already aware of an androgen that was stronger than androstenone at this time. To separate the more potent hormone—now more generally known as testosterone—many pharmaceutical companies engaged in the competition. Human experiments started to further our understanding of testosterone by 1937. The History of Performance-Improvement Drugs
In the 1940s, it is said that the Soviet Union and other nations, including East Germany, were the first to investigate the use of testosterone to enhance physical performance. They started off treating their Olympic weightlifters with testosterone. The usage of testosterone seemed to be effective in the beginning, despite some negative effects. Therefore, it was only logical that the US wanted a piece of the action. Team physician for the US Olympic team John Ziegler collaborated with scientists to create a medication that had comparable performance-enhancing properties without the androgenic adverse effects.
The substance was methandrostenolone, subsequently marketed as Dianabol by Ciba Pharmaceuticals and is currently one of the most popular anabolic steroids on the planet. Interestingly, Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledged using steroids while he was Mr Olympia because they weren’t prohibited at the time. Dianabol is the first anabolic drug he mentions in the interview.
In 1958, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the use of Dianabol. It was intended to be used as a medical intervention for older people. But as you can expect, it didn’t take long for sportsmen and bodybuilders like Arnold to learn about its potential and start using it off the record. Ziegler initially administered relatively tiny amounts to athletes under his care, but it soon became apparent that those misusing Dianabol began to experience enlarged prostates and testicular atrophy. Even though Steroids were not outlawed by regulatory organisations for a very long period, despite the existence of proof of harmful side effects. Not until 1976 did the IOC forbid them.
Present time
Where are we today, then? Well, the situation has become worse. Nowadays, steroids come in a wide variety that can all produce various physical adaptations and alterations. Most sports also forbid the use of steroids, and specialised anti-doping organisations have emerged to assist catch athletes who unjustly use androgenic anabolic steroids. Other than medical issues requiring a prescription, they are not available over the counter and are prohibited in many nations.
