Instagram and Tik Tok are awash with incredibly ripped and ridiculously lean fitness influencers with bodies that look unrealistically perfect. Just looking at the difference between superheroes on screen from the 1950s to now, the amount of muscle mass is 10 times what it used to be. These cultural icons glamorize these muscular physiques to the point that having a natural amount of muscle mass feels subpar for the rest of us, and turning to anabolic steroids suddenly seems like a reasonable choice. Many fitness influencers even admit to their use of anabolics, further normalizing their usage. However, the health risks associated with non-medical use of anabolic steroids are significant and well-documented.
Are They Safe?
In a clinical setting, anabolic steroids can be prescribed to treat specific medical conditions such as delayed puberty, muscle wasting from chronic illness, or hormone deficiencies. Under these circumstances, they’re used in controlled doses and monitored by healthcare professionals.
However, for non-medical use (i.e., bodybuilding, athletic enhancement):
Health Risks Include:
- Cardiovascular damage (high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke)
- Liver toxicity
- Hormonal imbalance (can lead to testosterone shutdown, gynecomastia, infertility)
- Mental health effects (aggression, depression, anxiety, mood swings)
- Dependency and withdrawal issues
- Skin problems (acne, oily skin, hair loss)
Use is rising in younger populations, particularly males in their teens and early 20s. This is especially risky as their hormonal systems are still developing, increasing the potential for long-term endocrine disruption. TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) clinics are another issue because these clinics are known to give testosterone at doses significantly above therapeutic doses of testosterone and as testosterone surges beyond normal levels in the body, 300-1000 ng/dl in men and 15-70 ng/dl in women, then the health risk rise more and more.
Better Alternatives
- Natural testosterone boosters (diet, sleep, resistance training)
- Muscle-building peptides (under medical supervision)
- Creatine, protein, and optimized nutrition
While anabolic steroids may deliver fast gains, the long-term health consequences far outweigh the benefits for most users. Sustainable muscle growth and performance should be built on consistent training, proper recovery, and healthy supplementation, not hormonal shortcuts.
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