Anabolic steroids are essentially steroid hormones that promote muscle growth by stimulating protein synthesis within cells. Synthetic anabolic steroids have been available since the 1930s. These find use in the treatment of chronic wasting diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Since anabolic steroids can stimulate bone growth and appetite and also increase muscle strength they are used by sportspersons and bodybuilders. Another reason why anabolic steroids find favor with sportspersons is that they reduce recovery time by blocking the effects of the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged non-medical use of anabolic steroids can cause adverse effects such as increase in blood pressure, damage to the lever, high cholesterol levels, mood swings, etc.