They can also lead to changes in mood, such as feelings of depression or irritability. Anabolic steroids in the brain may trigger really aggressive behavior. Can Confuse the Brain and Body Your body's testosterone production is controlled by a group of nerve cells at the base of the brain, called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus also does a lot of other things. It helps control appetite, blood pressure, moods, and reproductive ability.
Anabolic steroids can change the messages the hypothalamus sends to the body.
This can disrupt normal hormone function. In guys, anabolic steroids can interfere with the normal production of testosterone. They can also act directly on the testes and cause them to shrink. This can result in a lower sperm count and reproductive ability. They can also cause an irreversible loss of scalp hair.