Peter Attia MD - Long-term impacts of steroid use: muscle retention, impact after discontinuation, and more
The conversation explores the effects of anabolic steroids on muscle mass, particularly in the context of bodybuilding and powerlifting. The speaker, Mike, shares his personal experience with steroids, noting that he started using them at 27 and gained significant muscle mass. He estimates that without steroids, he would weigh about 200 pounds instead of 230-235 pounds, indicating a 35-pound difference attributed to steroid use. Mike emphasizes that while steroids significantly contributed to his muscle mass, his genetics also played a crucial role, as he was already an elite powerlifter before using steroids.
The discussion also covers the potential for maintaining muscle mass after stopping steroid use. Mike suggests that he could retain about half of the muscle gained through steroids if he switched to regular testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or stopped altogether. He highlights the variability in how individuals respond to steroids and the ability to resume natural testosterone production after cessation. The conversation underscores the importance of considering long-term implications, especially regarding fertility, before starting steroid use. Mike advises against starting steroids or TRT without careful consideration of life goals, particularly for those who wish to have children.
Key Points:
- Anabolic steroids can significantly increase muscle mass, but genetics also play a crucial role.
- Stopping steroid use may result in retaining about half of the gained muscle mass with regular TRT.
- Natural testosterone production can often resume after stopping steroids, but this varies among individuals.
- Consider long-term implications, such as fertility, before starting steroids or TRT.
- Steroid use can provide a permanent advantage in muscle mass, even after cessation.
Details:
1. 👴 Age and Appearance Insights
- Mike is 40 years old but perceives himself to look 50, indicating a potential discrepancy between perceived and actual age appearance.
- Genetics, diet, and training are identified as key factors influencing Mike's appearance. For example, a healthy diet and consistent training can significantly impact how age is visually perceived.
- The use of anabolic steroids is implied as a significant factor in maintaining a certain physical appearance, suggesting a reliance on these substances for enhanced body image.
2. 💪 Steroids and Muscle Mass: A Detailed Look
- Anabolic steroids significantly increase muscle mass compared to regular testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which involves taking 100 milligrams of cypionate per week.
- Individuals using anabolic steroids can expect to gain more muscle mass than those on TRT, who may be several pounds lighter without the steroids.
- The discussion highlights the quantitative difference in muscle mass, emphasizing how steroids enhance muscle building beyond natural limits.
- Side effects and long-term impacts of steroid use are critical considerations, though not detailed in this section, they play a significant role in decision-making for users.
- Understanding the trade-offs between muscle gain and potential health risks is crucial for individuals considering steroid use.
3. 🔄 Navigating Steroid Use: History and Personal Impact
- The individual began using high doses of anabolic steroids at the age of 27, significantly impacting their body weight.
- Without high doses of steroids, their body weight would likely be around 200 lbs compared to 230 lbs with steroid use, evidencing a 15% increase due to steroids.
- Maintaining testosterone levels at 800 nanograms per deciliter would result in significantly lower body weight than with high doses of steroids, emphasizing the impact of dosage on physical outcomes.
- Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that mimic testosterone, promoting muscle growth and increasing body mass, while potentially causing adverse health effects such as liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
4. 📊 Genetics, Body Composition, and FFMI
- An elite powerlifter weighing 270 lbs with over 30% body fat reported having between 175 to 185 pounds of fat-free mass (FFM) during a drug-free period, highlighting significant lean mass despite high body fat percentage.
- The powerlifter's height is listed as 5'6", but a humorous claim of 5'9" when asked illustrates the common discrepancies in self-reported data, emphasizing the importance of accurate measurements in assessing body composition.
- FFMI (Fat-Free Mass Index) is crucial for understanding the relationship between genetics and body composition, as it provides a more accurate representation of muscle mass relative to height and weight.
- The discussion of the powerlifter's body composition metrics serves as a practical example of how genetics can influence physical attributes, underlining the need for personalized approaches in fitness and health assessments.
5. 🧬 Exploring Genetic Influence and Steroid Effects
5.1. Genetic Influence on Muscle Mass
5.2. Effects of Steroids on Muscle Mass
6. 🔄 Understanding Steroid Cessation and Natural Testosterone Production
6.1. Muscle Gain and Steroid Use
6.2. Testosterone Recovery After Steroid Cessation
6.3. Impact on Fertility
7. 🏋️♂️ The Lasting Benefits of Steroid Use in Athletics
- Athletes often retain significant muscle mass after stopping steroids, with estimates indicating they keep about 50% of the muscle gained during steroid use.
- Steroids cause a permanent increase in muscle mass by adding satellite cells into muscles, which do not revert to the original state after stopping steroid use.
- Passing natural muscle limits with steroids means athletes maintain a higher muscle baseline, even without continued use, providing a long-lasting advantage.
- Past steroid users may never revert to pre-use muscle size, maintaining a permanent competitive edge in sports.
- In Olympic sports, timing steroid use effectively allows athletes to sustain muscle mass beyond their doping period, thus ensuring a continued competitive advantage.