Testosterone intake and aggressiveness: Real effect or anticipation?

Abstract

In a double‐blind experiment, human males (n = 27) were given either testosterone (40 mg/day), placebo, or no treatment, over a one week period. Subjective and observer assessed mood estimations were conducted before and after treatment. Testosterone levels in saliva were measured with radioimmunoassay. The results revealed a significant placebo effect [c. f. Medicine and Science in Sports 4: 124–126]: After treatment, the placebo group scored higher than both the testosterone and the control group on self‐estimated anger, irritation, impulsivity, and frustration. Observer‐estimated mood yielded similar results. The lack of a placebo effect in the testosterone group is intriguing, and may be due to secondary effects caused by suppression of the body's own testosterone production, since recorded non‐protein bound testosterone did not significantly rise due to treatment. The resultss suggest that androgen usage causes expectations, rather than an actual increase of aggressiveness. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Illicit anabolic–androgenic steroid use

“…For example, premorbid personality traits of individuals who are disposed to use AAS might contribute strongly to such behaviors (Fudala et al, 2003; Midgley et al, 2001; Perry et al, 2003). Similarly, expectational factors or psychosocial effects of the “gym culture” might perhaps account for such effects (Bahrke and Yesalis, 1994; Bahrke et al, 1996; Björkqvist et al, 1994; Riem and Hursey, 1995). The only definitive way to resolve this question would be to conduct a blinded study administering high doses of AAS vs. placebo to normal volunteers.…”

Anabolic Steroid and Stimulant Use in North American Sport between 1850 and 1980

“…[54] Only a few prospective, blinded studies documenting aggression and adverse overt behaviour resulting from steroid use have been reported. [55] As Bjorkqvist and colleagues [56] point out, much of the psychological and behavioural effect of steroid intake may be placebo. Anticipation of the aggressiveness related to steroid use may lead to actual violent acts and become, in effect, an excuse for aggression.…”

Effets secondaires des androgènes

“…a r e c o n s t a n t a n d a n i n c r e a s e d thrombogen i c r i s k h a s a l s o b e e n r e p o r t e d . 4) B e h a v i o u r a l side-effects : A n d r o g e n s a r e s u p p o s e d to d e v e l o p a g g r e s s i v i t y a n d m e n t a l s t r e n g t h ; psychotic manifestations h a v e b e e n r e p o r t e d , b u t in t h e h u m a n t h e s e e f f e c t s…”

“…Deux 4tudes contr616es r6centes [1, 2] n'ont montr6 aucun effet de l'enanthate de T ~ la dose de 800mg/semaine, sur l'excitabilit4, l'agressivit6 et l'activit4 sexuelle, p e n d a n t 8 semaines dans un cas, 16 h 20 semaines dans l ' a u t r e . Une des r a r e s 6tudes en double aveugle [4], portant sur 27 jeunes finlandais ~g6s de 21 h 31 ans, 6tudiants et sportifs, r6partis en 3 groupes comparables quant h la testost6rone salivaire et recevant p e n d a n t une semaine soit 40 mg/j d'und6canoate de T, soit un placebo, soit rien, a montr6 un net effet du placebo sur les crit6res comportementaux 4tudi6s (co16-re, irritabilit6).…”