The history of anabolic androgenic steroids is a fascinating journey that intertwines scientific innovation, athletic ambition, and societal impact. From their groundbreaking inception in the early 20th century to their controversial role in modern sports, understanding when steroids were invented reveals much about our quest for enhanced performance. Initially developed to treat medical conditions, these compounds quickly garnered attention for their muscle-building capabilities.
As we delve into the development of anabolic steroids, we will explore the key figures and milestones that shaped this powerful substance.
Join us as we uncover the timeline of steroid invention, shedding light on a topic that continues to spark debate in health and fitness communities worldwide. Discover how a simple scientific breakthrough transformed the landscape of athletics and medicine, and how its legacy impacts us today.
When Were Steroids Invented?
A History Into the Development of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
The Early Discoveries: Hormones and Their Effects
The story of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) begins with the broader understanding of hormones and their functions in the body. The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked significant advancements in endocrinology, the branch of biology concerned with hormones.
In 1849, German physiologist Arnold Adolph Berthold conducted experiments on roosters, revealing that the removal of testes halted the development of male characteristics, while reimplantation restored them—even without nerve connections. This suggested a blood-borne factor, later identified as testosterone, responsible for masculinization (Touhara, Journal of Andrology, 2009).
The term “hormone” was coined in 1905 by British physiologist Ernest Starling during a lecture at the Royal College of Physicians, defining it as a chemical messenger that influences bodily functions (Starling, The Lancet, 1905). This set the stage for scientists to isolate other hormones like insulin and adrenaline, significantly advancing therapeutic research and opening the door for the development of anabolic compounds.
The Birth of Anabolic Steroids: Key Milestones
The 1930s were a pivotal decade for anabolic steroid development. In 1935, German chemists Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka independently synthesized testosterone from cholesterol derivatives. This achievement won them the 1939 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, acknowledging their role in unlocking the structure and function of male sex hormones.
Testosterone’s anabolic properties were soon exploited in medicine and athletics. Researchers found that exogenous testosterone improved nitrogen retention, which is directly tied to muscle protein synthesis (Kochakian & Murlin, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1936). This began a wave of interest in developing synthetic compounds that retained anabolic benefits while reducing unwanted androgenic effects.
By the late 1930s, pharmaceutical companies introduced methyltestosterone, the first commercially available anabolic steroid, for treating male hypogonadism and other hormone-related conditions (Yesalis & Bahrke, The Endocrinologist, 2000). This initiated the pharmaceutical era of anabolic steroids, setting the stage for performance enhancement in sports and physical culture.
The Role of Testosterone in Steroid Development
Testosterone serves as the molecular foundation of nearly all anabolic steroids. As the primary male sex hormone, it regulates muscle mass, bone density, fat distribution, libido, and red blood cell production. Its modification by chemists in the 20th century led to the creation of synthetic anabolic steroids with varying anabolic:androgenic ratios—tailored for different clinical and performance-enhancing purposes.
Compounds such as methandrostenolone (Dianabol) and nandrolone decanoate were synthesized in the 1950s and 1960s, further fueling steroid use in professional and amateur sports (Kicman, British Journal of Pharmacology, 2008). Each of these compounds offered unique profiles for muscle growth, recovery, and performance enhancement, with varying risk levels of side effects like liver strain, hormonal imbalance, or cardiovascular stress.
The Evolution of Steroid Formulations
As the demand for anabolic steroids increased, so did the scientific push to refine their chemical structures. Researchers aimed to improve the anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, enhance bioavailability, and reduce adverse side effects. These advancements gave rise to a wide variety of anabolic steroids, each tailored for specific performance and physique goals. Some compounds were ideal for bulking and muscle growth, while others were better suited for cutting and fat loss cycles (Kicman, British Journal of Pharmacology, 2008).
The 1960s and 1970s were particularly prolific in steroid development. Iconic compounds such as:
…entered the market, providing athletes and bodybuilders with precise tools to sculpt their physiques and improve athletic output. These compounds offered oral or injectable formats, with varying strengths, half-lives, and safety profiles—making performance enhancement more customizable than ever before (Hartgens & Kuipers, Sports Medicine, 2004).
At the same time, the rise of professional bodybuilding, marked by events like Mr. Olympia and the emergence of icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, brought muscular aesthetics into mainstream culture. This cultural shift significantly boosted the use of anabolic steroids beyond elite competition circles.
By the late 1970s, anabolic steroid use had expanded into recreational fitness, high school sports, and amateur athletic communities. The growing prevalence raised public health concerns around side effects such as liver damage, cardiovascular risks, and hormonal disruption (Pope et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1996). As a result, regulatory agencies began to intervene, leading to tighter controls and increased public awareness of the risks associated with unsupervised steroid use.
💉 Brief History of Specific Anabolic Steroids
When They Were Created & Why
🧪 Testosterone
Created: 1935
Why: First isolated and synthesized to treat male hormone deficiencies such as hypogonadism.
Use: The foundation of all anabolic steroids; enhances muscle growth, bone strength, and recovery.
💊 Methyltestosterone
Created: Late 1930s
Why: An orally active form of testosterone for easier medical use.
Use: Originally prescribed for low testosterone and menopausal symptoms.
💪 Methandrostenolone (Dianabol)
Created: 1958 (Dr. John Ziegler, USA)
Why: Created for U.S. Olympic athletes to compete against steroid-using Soviet athletes.
Use: Rapid mass and strength gains; became a cornerstone of 1960s bodybuilding culture.
🧬 Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (Turinabol)
Created: Early 1960s (East Germany)
Why: Developed during the state-sponsored doping program to enhance athletic performance with reduced androgenic effects.
Use: Known for lean, dry gains and low estrogenic activity; popular in cutting phases and Olympic doping history.
🏃♂️ Stanozolol (Winstrol)
Created: 1962
Why: Initially for hereditary angioedema and anemia.
Use: Delivers muscle hardness, vascularity, and speed; used in sprinting and physique sports.
🔥 Oxandrolone (Anavar)
Created: 1964
Why: Designed as a gentle, low-androgenic steroid for muscle-wasting diseases and burn recovery.
Use: Ideal for fat loss and muscle retention with a low risk of side effects, especially for women.
🧱 Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca-Durabolin)
Created: 1960s
Why: Formulated for long-acting treatment of anemia, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting.
Use: Popular for joint support, mass-building, and improved collagen synthesis.
📉 Methenolone (Primobolan)
Created: 1960s
Why: A mild steroid for women and children with minimal androgenic risks.
Use: Favored in cutting phases for its ability to preserve muscle with low water retention.
🔥 Trenbolone
Created: Late 1960s (originally as Finajet for veterinary use)
Why: Designed for cattle to increase lean mass and feed efficiency.
Use: Later adopted in bodybuilding for its extreme anabolic potency, fat-burning effects, and no aromatization—but known for harsh side effects and aggression.
The Impact of World War II on Steroid Research
World War II significantly influenced the advancement of anabolic steroid research. The demands of war spurred rapid innovation—including the study of hormones and their potential role in enhancing performance, recovery, and aggression during combat.
German scientists were among the first to administer testosterone to soldiers to increase stamina and aggression. While the scope of its success remains debated, it marked the early use of anabolic hormones for physical performance enhancement (Yesalis & Bahrke, The Endocrinologist).
In the post-war era, Cold War tensions led both the United States and Soviet Union to invest in sports science, fueling the global arms race of performance-enhancing drugs—a pivotal step in the evolution of anabolic steroid use in athletics.
The Rise of Steroid Use in Sports and Bodybuilding
During the 1960s and 1970s, anabolic steroids became increasingly popular in elite sports and bodybuilding. Steroids offered athletes and competitors a way to gain lean muscle mass, increase strength, and reduce recovery time—critical for performance and aesthetic goals (Hartgens & Kuipers, Sports Medicine).
Bodybuilding's Golden Era
The rise of professional competitions like Mr. Olympia and the emergence of icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger helped popularize steroids in mainstream fitness culture. Today, steroids continue to influence training strategies and supplement stacks across gyms globally.
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Legal and Ethical Implications of Steroid Use
By the late 1970s, the growing concern over unregulated steroid use led to formal anti-doping regulations.
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In 1967, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) formed its Medical Commission.
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By 1976, anabolic steroids were banned from Olympic competition.
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In 1999, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established to globally enforce anti-doping rules.
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The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 in the U.S. classified steroids as Schedule III substances.
Ethical debates continue: should athletes have autonomy over what they use, or must sports maintain fairness? As the health risks—like cardiovascular disease, liver toxicity, and endocrine dysfunction—became clearer, stricter rules were adopted.
Modern Developments in Steroid Research
Steroid science has evolved with modern biotechnology and pharmacology. Today’s research focuses on minimizing side effects while maximizing anabolic benefits.
SARMs: The New Era
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) like Ostarine and Ligandrol are being developed to provide muscle-building benefits without the same androgenic or liver-damaging effects as traditional steroids (Basaria, JCEM).
But SARMs aren’t without controversy. Many are banned in sports and still under clinical research.
Emerging Alternatives
Other novel compounds in performance enhancement include:
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Peptide hormones (e.g., IGF-1, HGH)
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Myostatin inhibitors
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Gene therapy and regenerative medicine
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📅 Timeline: The History & Development of Anabolic Steroids
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1849 | Berthold’s Rooster Experiments | Arnold Adolph Berthold demonstrates that testes secrete a substance (later identified as testosterone) influencing male traits. |
| 1905 | “Hormone” Coined | British physiologist Ernest Starling introduces the term “hormone” during a lecture at the Royal College of Physicians. |
| 1935 | Testosterone Synthesized | German chemists Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka synthesize testosterone from cholesterol—earning the 1939 Nobel Prize. |
| Late 1930s | Methyltestosterone Introduced | First commercial anabolic steroid is developed for medical use. |
| WWII (1939–1945) | Steroids in Warfare | Testosterone administered to German soldiers to increase stamina and aggression in combat. |
| Post-War (1945–1960s) | Cold War Rivalry | U.S. and Soviet investment in performance-enhancing drugs for Olympic success fuels steroid innovation. |
| 1960s–70s | Steroids in Sports & Bodybuilding | Steroids become widely used by elite athletes, especially in bodybuilding with the rise of Mr. Olympia. |
| 1967 | IOC Medical Commission Formed | International Olympic Committee begins formal anti-doping efforts. |
| 1976 | Steroids Banned from Olympics | IOC officially adds anabolic steroids to the list of banned substances. |
| 1990 | U.S. Anabolic Steroid Control Act | Steroids classified as Schedule III controlled substances under U.S. law. |
| 1999 | World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Established | WADA created to lead global anti-doping efforts in sport. |
| 2000s–Today | Rise of SARMs & Modern Alternatives | Research shifts toward selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), peptides, and gene therapy for performance enhancement. |
Conclusion: The Future of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
The history of anabolic androgenic steroids is a testament to the interplay between scientific discovery, athletic ambition, and societal impact. From their early beginnings in hormone research to their widespread use in sports and bodybuilding, anabolic steroids have left an indelible mark on the world of athletics and medicine. While they have provided valuable therapeutic benefits and enabled remarkable athletic achievements, they have also raised significant ethical and health concerns.
As we look to the future, the development of safer and more selective anabolic agents holds promise for both medical and athletic applications. Continued research into the mechanisms of muscle growth and performance enhancement will provide new insights and opportunities for innovation. However, the challenge of regulating and controlling the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs will persist.
Ultimately, the legacy of anabolic androgenic steroids serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between science, sport, and society. It underscores the need for ongoing dialogue, ethical considerations, and responsible regulation to ensure that advancements in performance enhancement are balanced with the health and integrity of athletes. The future of anabolic steroids will be shaped by our ability to navigate these challenges and harness the potential of scientific innovation for the benefit of all.
