Anabolic-androgenic steroid administration increases self-reported aggression in healthy males: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies

Abstract Rationale Aggression and irritability are notable psychiatric side effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. However, no previous study has systematically reviewed quantitatively synthesized reported by experimental studies on this topic. Objective We conducted a systematic review meta-analysis randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect AAS administration self-reported observer-reported aggression. Methods Twelve RCTs comprising total 562 healthy males were identified through searches MEDLINE, PsycInfo, ISI Web Science, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library. Results After excluding one outlier, was associated with an increase in aggression under random-effects model, albeit small (Hedges’ g = 0.171, 95% CI: 0.029–0.312, k 11, p .018), when restricting analysis to acute fixed-effect model ( 0.291, 0.014–0.524, .014). above neither replicated nor after higher (over 500 mg) long-term (3 days 14 weeks) doses. Conclusions The present provides evidence increase, although small, following RCTs. Ecologically rational warranted better explore humans.