Steroids in Today's Drug World: Do Steroids Make Your Feel Good Research Study

Past studies concerning the use of anabolic steroids have often referred to an enigmatic "feeling of well-being" induced by steroids. This implies that steroids may have an effect on the "reward" mechanisms in the brain, making steroids potentially addictive.

Researchers designed a study using rats to determine exactly how steroids might affect these reward mechanisms. The rats were administered a steroid "cocktail" consisting of testosterone cypionate, nandrolone decanoate (Durabolin) and boldenone undecylenate (Equipoise) in amounts proportional to what a steroid "abuser" might take. The effect the steroids had on the moods of the rodents was determined by how often they pressed a reward bar. These rats took the steroids, as well as amphetamines before and after the steroids, for 15 days.

The study revealed no change in reward mechanisms induced by steroids. However, the rats did show a heightened brain sensitivity to amphetamines after taking the steroids. The researchers therefore concluded that anabolic steroids may make the brain more susceptible to the effects of reward drugs such as amphetamines and, possibly, cocaine.