What are designer steroids?

Designer steroids are synthetic compounds structurally similar to testosterone that are not officially approved for human use by pharmaceutical companies but are sometimes found in supplements. These compounds are often modifications of anabolic steroids, created to enhance specific properties like muscle growth, while minimizing others, such as androgenic effects. Despite not being marketed traditionally, they have been found in supplements, exploited by manufacturers who benefit from regulatory loopholes, labeling them as "pro hormones" or other seemingly less harmful substances.

These substances typically enter the market due to regulatory gaps that can be exploited until the substances are explicitly banned. Although designer steroids can significantly enhance muscle development and strength, they often come with serious health risks, such as liver toxicity and other systemic harms 1 2 3 4.