In recent years, there has been growing concern about the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and their effects on both physical and mental health. AAS are known to bring about significant changes in the body’s hormonal balance, which can lead to a range of medical and psychological consequences.
One area that has received attention in research is the relationship between AAS use and sleep patterns.
In a study published in BMC Psychiatry, researchers conducted with a group of men who have used AAS either currently or in the past, compared their sleep quality to a control group of weightlifters who did not use AAS. Participants were assessed using standardized measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – PSQI) and psychological distress (Hopkins Symptoms Checklist – HSCL).
The results revealed a significant differences between sleep quality of the AAS users and the control group. A significant majority of AAS users reported experiencing sleep problems as a side effect including where they consistently had lower sleep quality compared to the non-using weightlifting controls. A considerable portion of AAS users resorted to sleep medication .
Surprisingly, sleep quality was found to be even poorer during withdrawal phases compared to periods of AAS use. This suggests a complex relationship between AAS use, hormonal fluctuations, and sleep disturbances.
The findings of this study shed light on the importance of understanding the impact of AAS use on sleep patterns and overall well-being. Not only do they highlight the prevalence of sleep disturbances among AAS users, but they also suggest a potential link between hormonal imbalances caused by AAS and disruptions in sleep quality.
Any use of exogenous hormones leads to significant consequences on health. It is always better to let your body reach its own hormonal balances than take exogenous hormones.
S Klonteig et al. Sleep pathology and use of anabolic androgen steroids among male weightlifters in Norway. BMC Psychiatry (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05516-6
