Although most people recognize the term "performance-enhancing drugs" as a reference to anabolic steroids, the term actually refers to a wide variety of different drugs used to increase strength, commonly found in athletics. Although these drugs seem very effective at first, they damage your body in multiple ways and cause many harmful side effects. Not to mention, they are also illegal to use in the United States without a doctor's prescription. If a person is found to have used performance-enhancing drugs while playing a sport, whether at the collegiate or professional level, they will be punished accordingly, usually in the form of fines, suspensions or even expulsion from the league. Not to mention that this person will now be looked down upon by their peers for using these drugs, as they are considered a form of cheating. Even some of the sport's greatest legends can have their legacies tarnished by scandals such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The most common type of performance-enhancing drug is officially known as anabolic-androgenic steroids. Most people know them as steroids, but other common slang names include "juice" or "roids." The use of steroids is also known as "doping." The main function of steroids is to mimic the natural hormone testosterone. Testosterone helps cells in the process of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis leads to the formation of cellular tissues, especially in muscles. Although it is also present in women, testosterone is found at a much higher level in men, as it also helps improve certain male characteristics. Steroids were first developed in the 1930s and have many legal medical uses. Steroids are used to help people with medical problems such as problems with bone or muscle strength...... middle of paper ......... will eventually prevail. Later in life, the use of these medications will have an effect on their health. With information more publicly available than ever about the harms of performance-enhancing drugs, the number of people who abuse these drugs is expected to decrease. The key to being a great athlete is the same as being great at anything else. There are no shortcuts; the only way to achieve this is through hard work, determination and the drive to be the best that you can be. wiki/Performance-enhancing_drugshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/performance-enhancing-drugs/HQ01105http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_ster1.phphttp://www.teenbodybuilding.com/derek4.htmhttp: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Report_%28baseball%29