Mental Health Side Effects of Prohormones

Prohormones are chemicals that help boost certain hormones in the body, like testosterone. These hormones can help people build muscles, get stronger, and perform better in sports. However, using prohormones can lead to serious mental health problems, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, and trouble thinking clearly.

In this article, we’ll talk about what prohormones are, why people use them, and the risks they can have on your mind and emotions. Understanding these risks is important so people can make smart choices about their health.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Prohormones can lead to serious mental health problems like mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
While they can help build muscles and strength, they come with dangerous side effects that affect both the mind and body.
Talking to a doctor and being careful is very important if you are considering using prohormones.

What Are Prohormones?

Definition of Prohormones

Prohormones are special chemicals that turn into powerful hormones once they are inside the body. When people take prohormones, their bodies change them into hormones like testosterone that help build muscle, improve strength, and help with athletic performance.

Role in Muscle Growth and Performance

Muscle Growth: Prohormones can make muscles grow faster by making more protein.
Strength: By boosting testosterone, prohormones help people lift heavier weights and build more strength.
Faster Recovery: Prohormones also help muscles recover more quickly after workouts, which means less soreness.

Prohormones vs. Anabolic Steroids

How They Are Different

Prohormones are not active until the body changes them into hormones. This process happens in the liver.
Anabolic steroids are already active and directly make big changes to hormone levels in the body.

Feature	Prohormones	Anabolic Steroids
How It Works	Converted by the body	Already active
Effects	Slower, depends on conversion	Fast and stronger effects
Legal Status	Some are available in stores, depends on country	Mostly illegal without a prescription
Side Effects	Mental health risks like anxiety	Serious health problems including heart issues

Common Types of Prohormones

Androstenedione: One of the first prohormones used for boosting testosterone.
1-Androsterone: Helps build lean muscle without much water gain.
4-DHEA: Helps with muscle size and strength.

Are Prohormones Legal?

The rules about prohormones change from country to country:

In the United States, some prohormones are banned, while others are still available in stores.
In Europe, most prohormones are illegal unless a doctor prescribes them.

Because the rules are different everywhere, many prohormones are sold online, but the safety of these products isn’t always guaranteed. It is important to consider ways to detect early signs of prohormone toxicity to avoid severe health problems.

Physical Side Effects of Prohormones

Short-Term Physical Side Effects

Skin and Hair Problems

Acne: Prohormones can cause oily skin, leading to pimples. Read more about dealing with acne on prohormone cycles.
Hair Loss: They can also cause people to lose hair, especially if they are already at risk for balding.

Heart and Blood Problems

High Blood Pressure: Prohormones can make blood pressure go up, which puts stress on the heart. Learn how to manage the blood pressure risks associated with prohormones.
Heart Palpitations: Some people may feel their hearts beating fast or skipping beats.

Liver and Kidney Issues

Liver Problems: Prohormones are processed by the liver, which can cause liver damage over time. Consider using liver support supplements to help protect liver health.
Kidney Problems: They can also put stress on the kidneys, which need to work harder to process them.

Long-Term Physical Complications

Hormone Problems

Low Testosterone: The body can stop making enough of its own testosterone after using prohormones. This can lead to hormonal imbalances. For more details on this, read about how to correct hormonal imbalances from prohormones.

Sexual Health Issues

Erectile Dysfunction: Men may have trouble with erections because their natural hormone levels are low.
Low Sex Drive: Testosterone affects libido (interest in sex), which may become very low.

Serious Health Problems

Heart Disease: Over time, high blood pressure can lead to serious heart problems.
Organ Damage: Long-term use can also cause liver or kidney damage.

Physical Effects That Lead to Mental Health Problems

Body Image Issues: Things like acne, hair loss, and man boobs (gynecomastia) can make people feel very unhappy about how they look, leading to anxiety or depression.

Mental Health Side Effects of Prohormones

Mood Swings and Aggression

What Is “Roid Rage”?

“Roid rage” is a term used to describe sudden aggressive behavior. Prohormones can cause:

Irritability: Feeling annoyed or angry very quickly.
Outbursts: Yelling or fighting more often.
Risky Actions: Doing dangerous things without thinking.

Problems With Relationships

Arguing More: Mood swings can make it hard to get along with friends or family, leading to arguments.
Feeling Alone: Some people might lose friends or push family away, leading to loneliness.

Anxiety Caused by Prohormones

How Hormones Cause Anxiety

Prohormones change levels of important brain chemicals, like cortisol and serotonin, which help manage stress and mood.
This can lead to constant worry and feeling nervous all the time.

Physical Signs of Anxiety

Racing Heart: Feeling like your heart is pounding.
Shortness of Breath: Sometimes having trouble breathing or feeling very panicked.

Emotional Signs of Anxiety

Feeling Worried all the time and not being able to relax.
Easily Upset: Small things can make you very angry or sad.

Depression and Emotional Problems

How Prohormones Affect Mood

Less serotonin: Low levels of serotonin can lead to feelings of sadness and depression.
Low dopamine: This can make it hard to feel happy or find pleasure in things.

Signs of Depression From Prohormones

Sadness that doesn’t go away.
Not Caring About Things that used to be fun.
Feeling tired and hopeless.

Real-Life Stories

Some people who used prohormones have said they felt very depressed even after they stopped using them. They felt alone and didn’t want to do anything, including being around friends or family.

Trouble Sleeping

How Prohormones Affect Sleep

Prohormones can mess up your natural sleep cycle, making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Learn about addressing prohormone-induced sleep disturbances here.

How Poor Sleep Affects Mental Health

Stress becomes harder to handle when you’re tired.
Feeling tired can make mood swings and anxiety worse.

Problems With Thinking Clearly

Short-Term Issues

Brain Fog: Feeling confused or not able to think clearly.
Poor Decisions: Having trouble making good choices.

Long-Term Effects

Memory Loss: Forgetting things easily.
Difficulty Planning: Not being able to think things through or solve problems.

Why Do Prohormones Cause Mental Health Problems?

Hormone Imbalance and Mental Health

Changes in Testosterone and Estrogen

Too much testosterone or estrogen can cause mood swings, irritability, and even depression.

Disrupting the Endocrine System

Prohormones can disrupt the endocrine system. This is the system that controls hormone levels in your body, and messing with it can lead to long-term problems.

Changes in Brain Chemicals

Serotonin and Dopamine Levels

Serotonin helps with feeling calm and happy, and prohormones can lower serotonin levels.
Dopamine affects how much pleasure you feel, and changes in dopamine levels can lead to less motivation.

Stress and the Body’s Response

Prohormones mess up your body’s natural stress system, leading to too much cortisol (the stress hormone).
When stress levels are high, it’s harder to deal with problems, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

Long-Term Mental Health Consequences of Prohormones

Ongoing Anxiety and Depression

Even after stopping prohormones, many people still struggle with anxiety or depression because their hormone levels stay out of balance.

Emotional Dependence on Prohormones

Some people feel they can’t do well in the gym or in sports without using prohormones, which can make them emotionally dependent on these chemicals.

Mental Health Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Panic Disorder can start from long-term use.
Clinical depression can also develop, needing medical help to get better.

Who Is Most at Risk for Mental Health Problems From Prohormones?

Young People

Teens and young adults are more at risk because their bodies are still developing. Introducing extra hormones can stop normal development.

People With Mental Health Issues

If someone already has anxiety or depression, using prohormones can make those problems even worse.

Genetic and Lifestyle Factors

Family History: If mental health issues run in your family, you may be more at risk.
Lifestyle: Poor diet, high stress, and lack of exercise can increase the chances of mental health issues from prohormones.

Coping With Mental Health Side Effects

Warning Signs to Look For

Emotional Signs

Feeling more angry or irritable than usual.
Avoiding friends or family and wanting to be alone.

Cognitive Signs

Having trouble focusing on tasks or forgetting things more often.

Getting Professional Help

When to See a Doctor

If feelings like anxiety, depression, or anger get in the way of your everyday life, it’s time to seek help.

Who to Talk To

Doctors for hormone levels.
Therapists or counselors for help with emotions.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help

Manage Stress

Exercise, meditation, and yoga can help with stress and mood.

Eat Healthy Foods

Eating foods rich in omega-3 fats, like fish, can help improve mental health.
Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables are also good for your brain.

Sleep Better

Going to bed at the same time every night and keeping a regular schedule can help improve sleep.

Safer Alternatives to Prohormones

Natural Supplements

Creatine and protein powders can help build muscle without the risks of changing your hormones.

Using Prohormones Safely

If someone chooses to use prohormones, they should do so with medical guidance and for a short time only.

Tips for Avoiding Mental Health Problems

Make an Informed Decision

Questions to Ask Yourself

Are the muscle gains worth the risks to my mental health?
Are there safer ways to reach my goals?

Talking to a Doctor

Always talk to a doctor before using prohormones to understand the risks.

Keep Track of Your Health

Monitoring Your Body

Regular check-ups with your doctor are important.
Keep a health diary to write down any physical or emotional changes.

Build a Support Network

Family and Friends

Let your family and friends know what you are doing so they can help if you start to feel bad.
Talking to a counselor before and during use can help prevent serious mental health issues.

Conclusion

Summary of Risks

Using prohormones can lead to serious mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and anger. It can also harm your heart, liver, and kidneys.

What to Do

Avoid using prohormones if possible, and look for safer alternatives.
Always think about both your mental and physical health before making a decision.

Call to Action

Consult a doctor if you are thinking about using prohormones.
Consider natural supplements and healthy lifestyle changes instead.

FAQ Section

1. Are prohormones safe for mental health?

No, prohormones can be very harmful to mental health. They can cause mood swings, anxiety, depression, and even aggression.

2. What are the mental health side effects of prohormones?

The most common side effects are aggression, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and problems with thinking clearly.

3. How long do mental health effects of prohormones last?

Mental health effects can last for weeks or even months after stopping. In some cases, they can become long-term issues.

4. Is there a way to prevent mental health issues while using prohormones?

It’s hard to fully prevent these problems, but having medical supervision, keeping a healthy lifestyle, and talking to mental health professionals can help lower the risks.