Steroids are medicines that closely work like a hormone produced by the body to control anti-inflammatory, keep fluid balancing and activate the immune system. They can also increase muscle tissue, improve athletic performance and reduce recovery time. When abused, however, they can have severe side effects.
Despite warnings from police and health experts, Australia’s regular gym-goers are increasingly travelling to Thailand to take a cocktail of performance-enhancing drugs that can cause life-threatening heart problems. Many are’stacking’ a range of steroids and powerful veterinary drugs that boost growth and development, with some pharmacies in Thailand selling the same brands at a fraction of their Australian price.
The ease of access is luring more and more people to the country, including Hollywood actors who want to beef up for a film role. But why do they risk prosecution in their home country to visit a place where possession of the drugs is not illegal?
“There are so many different steroids out there – they can have some pretty nasty side-effects. Some can be reversible, but others are not. For example, a man can have a decrease in sperm count and he may suffer from a loss of facial hair, acne or even shrinkage of the testicles,” Ms Prapassorn told Spectrum.
The drugs in question are anabolic steroids, which can have a wide range of unintended effects, including bone loss. They can also increase the risk of prostate cancer in men and raise the risk of breast tumours in women. And, if taken for an extended period of time, can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Steroids Thailand