Final answer:
Anabolic/androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic substances that mimic the anabolic effects of testosterone to build muscle mass. Their misuse can lead to serious psychological and physical health risks. Alongside testosterone, substances like erythropoietin and human growth hormone are also used but are banned in professional sports.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anabolic/androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the hormone testosterone, specifically designed to enhance its anabolic effects, which relate to muscle building. These compounds are popular among athletes and individuals with muscle dysmorphia who wish to increase their muscle mass significantly. While health care providers can prescribe these for legitimate medical conditions such as delayed puberty or muscle-wasting diseases like cancer or AIDS, their misuse by athletes or bodybuilders for performance enhancement or aesthetic reasons can lead to a range of adverse effects. These include psychological side effects like paranoid jealousy and aggression, and physical health risks such as heart attacks and liver problems.
Despite potential negative outcomes, such as the development of a substance use disorder, individuals continue to use AAS due to their effective muscle-building capabilities. This is due to AAS mimicking the natural actions of testosterone within the body, leading to increased muscle formation and subsequently larger muscle mass. It's important to note that aside from testosterone, other hormones like erythropoietin and human growth hormone are also used for performance enhancement, their use is heavily regulated and banned in professional sports.