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Ben Johnson
Steroids: What they are, what they do

  WHAT THEY ARE: Also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids, they are drugs that mimic the effects of the body's naturally produced testosterone. WHAT THEY DO: They build muscle (anabolic effects) and cause the development of masculine characteristics such as deepened voice and facial hair (androgenic effects). WHAT THE HEALTH RISKS ARE: Back acne, breast enlargement, testicular atrophy, liver damage, heart problems and high blood pressure and cholesterol. OVERVIEW: Anabolic steroids have been used for performance-enhancement by athletes at least since the 1960s. Rudimentary testing for performance-enhancing drugs began at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, and a few...