MENU

Steroids and insomnia

Posted 2023-07-27

The Impact of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Abuse on Sleep Patterns and Disturbances in Athletes

Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse has become a public health concern worldwide and is associated with various psychiatric disorders. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reported sleep disturbances among individuals using AASs. This blog aims to explore the connection between AAS abuse, resistance exercise, and sleep patterns while shedding light on the importance of proper sleep for athletes' overall well-being.
 

Understanding Sleep as a Physiological State:

Before delving into the impact of AAS abuse on sleep, let's first understand the processes that regulate sleep. Sleep is a complex state regulated by multiple brain centers, including sleep cycle regulators, slow-wave sleep centers, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep centers. Disruptions in these processes can negatively affect the occurrence and course of sleep.
 

The Relationship Between AAS Abuse and Sleep Disturbances:

While some side effects of AAS abuse, such as headaches and acne, may indirectly affect sleep, the most significant condition that directly influences sleep disturbances is the feeling of an energy surge and increased aggressiveness experienced by athletes using steroids.
 

AAS Abuse and Aggressiveness:

The use of AAS often leads to a surge of strength and a feeling of self-power and achievement. For athletes with a natural inclination towards aggression, this can result in pathological aggression that continues even during sleep. Consequently, the brain struggles to tune into physiological rest and sleep, leading to sleep disturbances.


Research Findings on AAS and Sleep Disturbances:

Studies on athletes using AASs have highlighted the correlation between the frequency and severity of side effects, including sleep disturbances, and the dosage of steroids taken. Ukrainian researchers studying athletes using steroids observed symptoms of non-adrenergic hyperactivity, characterized by anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, increased sweating, appetite disturbances, heart palpitations, and elevated blood pressure. Moreover, young athletes under 18 years old showed particularly pronounced sleep disturbances, which persisted even after discontinuing AAS use.
 

Impact on Sleep Efficiency and Architecture:

To better understand the impact of AAS abuse on sleep, a study was conducted involving 58 males divided into three groups: current AAS users, controls with no history of AAS use, and sedentary men with no sleep disorders. Polysomnography results showed that the AAS user group exhibited reduced sleep efficiency and increased wakings after sleep onset compared to the sedentary group. Additionally, the sedentary group showed a higher percentage of stage 4 sleep than the non-users group.


Sleep Disturbances and Resistance Exercise:

It is essential to differentiate sleep disturbances caused directly by AAS abuse from those arising due to factors such as resistance exercise and overtraining. While sleep disturbance is relatively rare among AAS users, other factors, such as overtraining, can lead to difficulty falling asleep. In such cases, proper rest and adjusting training loads can help normalize sleep.
 

Conclusion:

AAS abuse is associated with sleep disturbances in athletes, mainly due to the increased aggressiveness and non-adrenergic hyperactivity caused by these substances. Proper sleep is crucial for an athlete's physical and mental health, and understanding the impact of AAS abuse on sleep patterns can help athletes make informed decisions about their well-being. It is essential to approach AAS use with caution and prioritize sleep hygiene to ensure optimal athletic performance and overall health.
In our store you can purchase the gear for any situation which would help to optimise your cycle and decrese the possibility of unwanted side effects.  We are working with large manufacturers such as Hilma Biocare, Somatrop-Lab, Beligas pharmateuticals, Euro-Pharmacies and working to develop business relationship with many more. We are selling only the genuine products and are verified vendor of the brands we are working with. We are avoiding any intemediate resellers and are sourcing our products directly from the manufacturers. We are taking pride in our work and we are always happy to help our valued customers. If you will have any questions or will need recommendations please contact our customer support team and they will be happy to address any questions you migt have.


IMPORTANT

Choose your location

Choose your location and the store will automatically apply the appropriate filter to display products eligible for delivery within your area.
*Simplify your search process and save your time!