Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging May 2021 PMID 33811018

Long-term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging.

Astrid Bjørnebekk, Tobias Kaufmann, Lisa E Hauger, Sandra Klonteig, Ingunn R Hullstein, Lars T Westlye

Mentions

52
Peak: 2 in Oct 2023
across 5 sources since Aug 2020

Extended reach

233,927
potential audience

Total likes

6,322

Video views

189,254

Mentions per month

Aug 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News32 articles
  • X / Twitter12 posts
  • Reddit3 posts
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The analysis reflects a strong interest in the potential health risks of anabolic steroids, exemplified by posts quoting the study and emphasizing its significance, such as referencing specific research details and suggesting the findings could influence health practices. The tone ranges from informative to cautionary, demonstrating both acknowledgment of the scientific work and concern about its implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings, with some explicitly referencing the connection between steroids and brain aging, indicating general consensus.

InterestHigh interest

The topic attracts high interest, as users are engaged with the scientific implications of steroid use and its effects on brain health.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts display moderate engagement, with several sharing detailed comments, referencing related research, or advocating for awareness, though some remain cursory.

ImpactModerate impact

The exchanges highlight that the publication raises important concerns about long-term steroid effects, suggesting potential influence on public perceptions and health discussions.

Abstract in brief

  • Longterm high-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with accelerated brain aging, especially in dependent users and those with longer histories of use.
  • Using MRI scans and machine learning, researchers found that AAS users showed a higher brain age gap (difference between predicted brain age and actual age) compared to controls, and this gap was linked to dependency and prolonged use.
  • The study indicates that extended and high-dose AAS use may negatively impact brain health over time, potentially leading to earlier or accelerated brain aging.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Lydia aka Insufferable TERF
@lyd20211 · X

@genspect Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging https://t.co/8Ak9H1VTZV

Oct 18, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 15,323 followers View post →
Sherry B
@OkieLibSherry · X

@ServantTo56718 @XaverDB @gmbankrupt @IsabellaMDeLuca Maybe you should read this on pubmed. https://t.co/0KIWKUYAOD https://t.co/TQjkQWafYF

Nov 5, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,668 followers View post →
Magda Lewandowska
@MagdalenaLewa19 · X

@AlanBurzynskiNL @AnnaP6431828183 @KarimKoval Taaaa... https://t.co/80VCnmm25z https://t.co/fEFrl7u9JU https://t.co/nUXMyNAfjE

Sep 26, 2024 · 1 like · 2,487 followers View post →
KatHart1☮️
@Kathleen2752 · X

@PaulSchleifer @RealAlexJones - dude, you shoot-up testosterone & steroids. STFD 1) Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk (can't happen soon enough) and causes liver & kidney damage. 2) Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging (obviously).

Mar 23, 2025 · 1 like · 2,065 followers View post →
Mike
@michaelscally · X

Long-term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging - PubMed https://t.co/JAfjdEcWTu

Apr 4, 2021 · 1 like · 894 followers View post →
Moja Mojappa
@MojaMojappa · X

Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging

Dec 12, 2024 · 1 like · 715 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding Steroid Use and Risks in Teen Health

Dr. Chris Raynor explains how steroids work, their rising popularity, and their effects on the body. The video highlights the risks associated with black market steroids, including counterfeit products that may contain…

After Skool · Dec 27, 2024 189,221 views
KatHart1☮️
@Kathleen2752 · X

@PaulSchleifer @RealAlexJones - dude, you shoot-up testosterone & steroids. STFD 1) Anabolic steroid use increases heart attack risk (can't happen soon enough) and causes liver & kidney damage. 2) Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging (obviously).

Mar 23, 2025 · 1 like · 2,065 followers View post →
Rhadamanthus The Great
@RhadamanthusOne · X

@iheartbelmont @Boy9999Baby @katec1956 @sappholives83 @Google Bjørnebekk, A., Kaufmann, T., Hauger, L. E., Klonteig, S., Hullstein, I. R., & Westlye, L. T. (2021). Long-term anabolic–androgenic steroid use is associated with deviant brain ageing. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 6(5), 579-589

Jan 5, 2025 · 135 followers View post →
Moja Mojappa
@MojaMojappa · X

Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging

Dec 12, 2024 · 1 like · 715 followers View post →
Sherry B
@OkieLibSherry · X

@ServantTo56718 @XaverDB @gmbankrupt @IsabellaMDeLuca Maybe you should read this on pubmed. https://t.co/0KIWKUYAOD https://t.co/TQjkQWafYF

Nov 5, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,668 followers View post →
Magda Lewandowska
@MagdalenaLewa19 · X

@AlanBurzynskiNL @AnnaP6431828183 @KarimKoval Taaaa... https://t.co/80VCnmm25z https://t.co/fEFrl7u9JU https://t.co/nUXMyNAfjE

Sep 26, 2024 · 1 like · 2,487 followers View post →
De Luisteraar
@LuisteraarDe · X

RT @lyd20211: @genspect Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging https://t.co/8Ak9H1VTZV

Oct 18, 2023 · 1 share · 930 followers View post →
Lydia aka Insufferable TERF
@lyd20211 · X

@genspect Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging https://t.co/8Ak9H1VTZV

Oct 18, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 15,323 followers View post →
Medicina del Aprendizaje
@dumerpedraza · X

Medicina del aprendizaje Los esteroides anabólicos androgénicos pueden acelerar el envejecimiento cerebral Long-term Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging https://t.co/Pz6ZcKZ3Fe

Sep 18, 2022 · 1 like · 66 followers View post →
Mike
@michaelscally · X

Long-term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging - PubMed https://t.co/JAfjdEcWTu

Apr 4, 2021 · 1 like · 894 followers View post →
Judith Haudum
@j_haudum · X

Brain fitness?

Mar 29, 2021 · 491 followers View post →
Orlanda
@arrowandthesong · X

Interesting talk from Astrid Bjornebekk, sharing her research on the impact on the brain and AAS use. #ASUK2020 @Anabolicstero14 - Long-term anabolic androgenic steroid use is associated with deviant brain aging https://t.co/cbcHn2ogLB

Nov 10, 2020 · 441 followers View post →
medRxiv
@medrxivpreprint · X

Long-term anabolic androgenic steroid use is associated with deviant brain aging https://t.co/6LpOrROrQn #medRxiv

Aug 23, 2020 · 17,455 followers View post →