Steroids are a broad group of compounds that include hormones produced naturally by the body as well as synthetic drugs. In the context of teen steroid misuse, the term usually refers to anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), synthetic substances designed to mimic testosterone and promote muscle growth and other male sex characteristics.
AAS are different from corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are prescribed to reduce inflammation and treat conditions such as asthma and autoimmune disorders. The potential effects discussed in this article relate to nonmedical use of anabolic-androgenic steroids, not medically prescribed corticosteroids.
Anabolic steroid use during adolescence may affect mood, behavior, cognition, and brain development, but current research has not established permanent brain damage as an inevitable outcome for every teenager who uses AAS. Much of the evidence on adolescent brain effects comes from animal studies, while many human studies involve adults, so the long-term effects specifically in teenage users remain uncertain.[1][4][5][7][8]
Emergency warning: If a teenager using anabolic steroids has chest pain, loses consciousness, has a seizure, becomes severely confused, or is at immediate risk of suicide or serious violence, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Why Do Teenagers Use Steroids?
Teenagers may use anabolic steroids for several reasons, including wanting to build muscle, increase strength, improve athletic performance, or change their physical appearance. Pressure to perform in sports, concerns about body image, and influence from peers or fitness culture can also contribute to steroid use. The reasons for use matter because a teen who is using steroids to change their appearance or performance may continue despite emerging physical or psychological problems.
How Steroid Use Affects the Teenage Brain and Body
Adolescence is a period of continued brain and hormonal development. Because androgen signaling is involved in normal development, exposure to high doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids during this period may alter biological processes involved in brain development and behavior. Research reviews have found that adolescent AAS exposure can affect brain remodeling, neurotransmitter function, and behavior.[1][4][11]
The concern is not simply that steroids increase muscle mass. Nonmedical AAS use can involve doses far above therapeutic amounts, and long-term misuse has been associated with cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hormonal, reproductive, and mental-health problems.[1][2][3]
What Are the Effects of Steroid Use on Teenagers?
Behavioral and Emotional Effects
Yes, Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) use can be associated with significant behavioral and psychiatric effects, including irritability, mood swings, anxiety, aggression, paranoia, and depression. The American Academy of Pediatrics also lists severe behavioral changes, panic attacks, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts among potential harms of anabolic steroid use in teens.[1][2]
Aggression is not an inevitable outcome. Research indicates that the effect can depend on the particular AAS, dose, hormonal environment, social setting, provocation, and individual vulnerability.[1]
Neurological and Cognitive Impact
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) mimic testosterone and, when misused, are often taken at high doses. Because the teenage brain is still developing, AAS exposure may affect brain development, mood, behavior, and cognition.
Changes in brain signaling
AAS interact with androgen receptors throughout the body, including the brain. Research indicates that exposure during adolescence can influence neurotransmitter systems involved in emotion, aggression, motivation, and behavioral regulation.[4][11]
Animal studies provide particularly detailed evidence. In adolescent rodents, AAS exposure has been associated with increased neuronal spine density in the hippocampus and amygdala, brain regions involved in learning, memory, and emotional processing. Some of these changes persisted after steroid exposure ended.[4][11]
These findings provide evidence that adolescent AAS exposure can produce persistent changes in animal models, but they cannot establish that the same structural changes occur in human teenagers or that such changes are permanent in people.
Human imaging studies have found differences in brain structure and connectivity among people with prolonged AAS exposure. One study found larger right amygdala volume and reduced connectivity between the amygdala and several regions involved in cognitive control and spatial memory.[5]
Possible Changes in Brain Structure and Function
One study found a higher predicted brain-age gap among long-term AAS users than among nonusing weightlifters, with greater differences associated with longer exposure and dependence. However, the study does not establish that AAS caused accelerated brain aging, particularly in teenagers. [7]
Memory, Attention, and Thinking
Possibly. Human studies of long-term AAS users have reported differences in several cognitive abilities. One study of male weightlifters found poorer performance among AAS-exposed participants in processing speed, working memory, problem solving, and other cognitive domains; longer AAS exposure was associated with poorer memory.[6][8]
Another study found poorer visuospatial memory among long-term AAS users, with performance declining as lifetime AAS exposure increased.[8] However, the participants were adults aged 29–55, so the results cannot be directly applied to teenagers.
That evidence gap matters: a cognitive association observed in adults is not automatically evidence of permanent cognitive impairment from adolescent steroid use.
| Potential Effect | What Research Suggests |
|---|---|
| Mood changes | AAS use has been associated with irritability, severe mood swings, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. |
| Aggression | Increased aggression is one of the more consistently reported behavioral effects in adolescent AAS research, although the response can depend on the steroid, environment, and circumstances. |
| Impulsivity and attention | NIDA reports evidence suggesting that people who began AAS during adolescence may have increased impulsivity and decreased attention compared with those who began as adults. |
| Memory and thinking | Long-term adult AAS users have shown poorer performance in some cognitive domains, including working memory, processing speed, problem-solving, and memory. These studies do not establish the same effects specifically in teenagers. |
| Brain structure | Imaging research has identified differences in cortical and subcortical brain measures among long-term users. These are associations, not proof of direct causation. |
| Persistent changes | Adolescent animal studies have identified some changes that remained after steroid withdrawal, but the duration and clinical significance of comparable changes in human adolescents remain uncertain. |
Physical Effects of Steroid Use in Teens
Anabolic steroid misuse can affect several parts of a teenager’s body, including the cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hormonal, and reproductive systems. The risks can be particularly concerning during adolescence because the body is still developing.
Growth and Development
Anabolic steroid use can interfere with normal growth in adolescents who are still developing. It may also increase the risk of tendon and ligament injuries.[1][2]
Cardiovascular Effects
AAS misuse has been associated with high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol changes, including changes that can increase cardiovascular risk. More serious cardiovascular complications have also been reported, including blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related problems.[1][2][3]
Liver and Kidney Effects
Anabolic steroid misuse has been associated with liver injury and serious liver conditions, including liver tumors and peliosis hepatis.[1][2][3] Kidney impairment has also been reported with steroid misuse.[1][2][3]
Hormonal and Reproductive Effects
Because AAS act on the body’s hormone system, nonmedical use can suppress normal hormone production. In males, effects may include reduced sperm production, testicular shrinkage, breast enlargement, and infertility. In females, possible effects include menstrual problems, reduced breast size, increased facial or body hair, and deepening of the voice. Some effects may persist after steroid use stops.[1][2][3]
What Happens After a Teen Stops Using Steroids?
Stopping AAS does not necessarily make every effect disappear immediately. Some adverse effects can improve after use stops, while others may persist, and recovery varies by the substance used, duration of exposure, dose, and individual health.[1][10][11]
Withdrawal can also cause fatigue, restlessness, sleep problems, reduced appetite, reduced sex drive, cravings, and depression. NIDA identifies depression during steroid withdrawal as a particularly serious concern because it can sometimes lead to suicide attempts. [1][10]
A persistent effect is not necessarily a permanent one. Current research does not allow clinicians to predict with certainty which brain or behavioral changes will completely resolve in an individual teenager.
Are Steroid-Related Brain Effects Permanent?
Some changes may persist, but permanent brain damage has not been established as an inevitable outcome for every teenager who uses anabolic steroids.
Much of the evidence on how adolescent AAS exposure may affect brain development and behavior comes from animal research, including studies examining changes in brain structure, neurotransmitter systems, and behavior after exposure.[4][11]
Human research provides additional evidence of brain and cognitive differences among long-term AAS users, but many of those studies involve adults. Researchers also face difficulties separating the effects of AAS from factors such as previous substance use, mental-health conditions, body-image concerns, training behavior, and other differences between users and nonusers.
Therefore, terms such as “permanent,” “irreversible,” or “brain damage” should not be used as blanket descriptions of every adolescent AAS exposure.
Can Teenagers Become Dependent on Anabolic Steroids?
Yes. Anabolic steroids can produce dependence even though they do not typically produce the intoxication associated with drugs such as opioids or alcohol.[1][9][10] Some users continue taking them despite physical or psychological problems and may have difficulty stopping.
Dependence can produce withdrawal symptoms when use stops, including cravings, fatigue, insomnia, reduced libido, and depression.[1][9][10] Because withdrawal-related depression can become severe, a teenager who is struggling to stop should receive medical assessment rather than being left to manage significant withdrawal symptoms alone.
When Should a Teen Get Medical Help?
A teenager using anabolic steroids should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, particularly when use is repeated, high-dose, or accompanied by physical or psychological symptoms.[1][2][3] A clinician can assess the steroid exposure, mental health, cardiovascular and hormonal effects, and other substances that may also be involved.
Get emergency medical help for severe symptoms such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe confusion, or an immediate risk of suicide or serious violence. Severe depression during steroid withdrawal is particularly important because it can become life-threatening.
How Clearfork Academy Can Help Teens With Substance Use
When anabolic steroid use is recurring, difficult to control, or occurs alongside mood, behavioral, or other substance-use problems, a teen may benefit from a comprehensive clinical assessment.
Clearfork Academy provides behavioral health treatment for adolescents dealing with substance use, mental health conditions, and co-occurring concerns. Its programs are designed to match the intensity of care to a teen’s clinical needs rather than treating every situation the same way.
Clearfork’s continuum of care includes residential treatment, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Virtual IOP. Residential treatment provides a structured setting with 24-hour care, while PHP and IOP allow appropriate teens to continue living at home while receiving structured behavioral health support at different levels of intensity. Virtual IOP provides structured treatment remotely for teens who are appropriate for online care.
Treatment may incorporate individual, group, and family therapy, along with approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and experiential therapies. Family involvement may address communication, boundaries, school functioning, and relationships at home as part of the teen’s treatment plan.
For parents concerned about a teen’s steroid use, the first step is an appropriate clinical assessment. Clearfork Academy can help families determine whether its services fit their teen’s needs and can provide information about insurance verification and available levels of care. Treatment decisions should be based on an individualized evaluation rather than the type of substance alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can anabolic steroids permanently damage a teenager’s brain?
Anabolic steroids may affect brain function, mood, behavior, and brain structure, but permanent brain damage has not been established as an inevitable outcome for every teenager who uses them.
Q. What are the long-term effects of steroids on the teenage brain?
Potential effects include mood changes, aggression, impulsivity, attention problems, and possible changes in memory and cognitive function. Evidence is stronger for some effects than others.
Q. Can steroids affect a teenager’s memory and concentration?
Possibly. Studies of long-term AAS users have found differences in memory, attention, processing speed, and other cognitive abilities, although much of this research has involved adults rather than teenagers.
Q. Can anabolic steroids cause depression or anxiety in teens?
Yes. Anabolic steroid use can be associated with depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and other psychiatric effects. Depression can also occur during steroid withdrawal.
Q. Can teenagers become dependent on anabolic steroids?
Yes. Teenagers can develop dependence on anabolic steroids and may experience withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, fatigue, sleep problems, reduced sex drive, and depression.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A qualified healthcare professional should evaluate any concerns about anabolic steroid use, withdrawal, or related physical or psychological symptoms in a teenager.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs.
NIDA — Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs - American Academy of Pediatrics. Steroids & Sports Performance Enhancers: Information for Teen Athletes.
American Academy of Pediatrics — Steroids & Sports Performance Enhancers - MedlinePlus. Anabolic Steroids.
MedlinePlus — Anabolic Steroids - Cunningham RL, Claiborne BJ, McGinnis MY. Pubertal exposure to anabolic androgenic steroids increases spine densities on neurons in the limbic system of male rats. Neuroscience. 2007.
PubMed — Pubertal exposure to anabolic androgenic steroids… - Kaufman MJ, et al. Brain and cognition abnormalities in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid users. Biological Psychiatry. 2015.
PubMed — Brain and cognition abnormalities in long-term AAS users - Bjørnebekk A, et al. Cognitive performance and structural brain correlates in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid exposed and nonexposed weightlifters. Neuropsychology. 2019.
PubMed — Cognitive performance and structural brain correlates - Bjørnebekk A, et al. Long-term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging. Biological Psychiatry. 2021.
PubMed — Long-term AAS use and brain aging - Kanayama G, et al. Cognitive deficits in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2013.
PubMed — Cognitive deficits in long-term AAS users - Hauger LE, et al. Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with executive dysfunction. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2020.
PubMed — AAS dependence and executive dysfunction - SAMHSA/NIDA. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment — Steroid Withdrawal.
SAMHSA/NIDA — Steroid withdrawal guidance - Grimes JM, Melloni RH Jr. Prolonged alterations in the serotonin neural system following the cessation of adolescent anabolic-androgenic steroid exposure in hamsters. Behavioral Neuroscience. 2007.
PubMed — Adolescent AAS exposure and persistent serotonin-system changes
Austin Davis, LPC-S
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas. Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design. Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
