21: This is your brain on steroids

It's well established that steroid use is associated with many adverse healthy outcomes, but what does it actually do to your brain? Dan and James discuss an interesting new paper that compared brain structure in long-term steroid users and non-using weightlifters. Some of the topics discussed: A summary of the study How are steroids typically used? What are the differences in use between sports? The recruitment of 'real' users James gives Dan a surprise Norwegian test (he doesn't do too well) The things Dan and James liked about the study (hint: many things) Steroid use in women Dose-dependent effects of steroids Folk beliefs surrounding steroid use James' goal of making his cat as jacked as possible If you have a great study, there's no need to oversell James' experience of participating in a growth hormone trial Links The paper http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632231632529X Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/everythinghertzpodcast/ Twitter account https://www.twitter.com/hertzpodcast