Get Big or Die Trying – Androgenic Anabolic Steroid Use

It is no secret that the prevalence of Androgenic Anabolic Steroid (AAS) use is quite high among athletes and the active population, particularly in men. AAS are synthetic derivates of testosterone and are used and abused in order to gain an athletic and/or aesthetic advantage (1). Is the risk worth the reward? That should be a resounding no.

In the past, AAS were most commonly associated with professional bodybuilders in order to gain an advantage against the competition. This advantage came in the form of 2-5kg gain in lean muscle mass and strength increases of 5-20% with short-term administration (1), even more so in the long-term. However, in more recent times and in the advent of social media in particular, it has become more common to see general gym goers abuse AAS.

This blog is going to be aimed more at the general population and regular exercisers, rather than the elite athlete.

Smoke and Mirrors

Social media, Instagram in particular, has been a massive influential factor on the increase in steroid use among regular gym goers and exercise enthusiasts. The thief of joy, comparison, affects the majority of us who use social media on a regular basis (myself included). This is likely amplified if you’re someone who exercises a lot and follows a lot of influenzas who constantly post topless pictures of them looking massive and shredded all year round. First tip, choose the people you follow carefully.

The reality is, the ‘ideal’ body image portrayed on social media is not attainable for 99% of us, and even if it was it is not sustainable.

A lot of people have the opinion that ‘If someone is honest about their steroid use, than let them at it’. This is not a stance I agree with, however. First of all, it is clear that most people who use AAS are not honest or open about it, further adding fuel to the fire of the body dysmorphia crisis ignited by social media.

Secondly, even if someone is open about steroid use, it doesn’t change the physical impact it has on them, or the psychological impact it has on those who follow them or who are exposed to their content.

Particularly in young men who are training regularly and feel the societal pressure to be big, bulky, and lean. If they follow a lot of people who have a particular body shape or image that they feel is out of reach for them, they may turn to AAS to give them a push in that direction. If a young, easily influenced man is following a body builder or influencer and whose opinion they trust and enjoy their content, they may feel the desire to follow in their footsteps.

Like most drugs, the accessibility to AAS has become insane, making it easier than ever for young individuals to get their hands on it.

The Harm is Real

The long-term effects of AAS use seems to be snuffed at by those who use them. Whether this comes from a lack of education, a lack of understanding, or just blissful ignorance – I’m really not sure!

A retrospective matched cohort study in 2018 looked at 545 men (Age = 26 ± 6.3) who were using AAS, with 5,450 matched controls (2).

Their findings were pretty harrowing. First of all, the big one - mortality was 3x higher in users compared to non-users. The median number of yearly hospital visits were over double in the AAS using men. Acne, gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction affected > 10% of the AAS users, the prevalence of which was significantly higher than that of the non-users. There are mountains of research which discuss the negative health consequences of AAS use and abuse, ranging from negative cardiovascular sequelae to death.

Conclusion

Ask yourself this: is the short-term gain in muscle mass and strength, worth the associated risks to your health? Not only that, is it worth negatively impacting the lives of many people who may follow you? Of adding fuel to the already blazing body dysmorphia fire?

You may have started taking steroids yourself because of the societal pressure to do so, but you can do your health and the health of others the world of good by stopping.

If you are someone who has thought about steroid use in the past or present, whether for body composition or performance goals, my advice: Don’t.