Men have cared about their appearance throughout the centuries, and ideals of masculinity and “manliness” are ancient – with strong emphasis put on physical fitness and virility. In ancient Greece, the , symmetrical and athletic.
Now, with easier access to (PIEDs) and their promotion on social media, ideals of masculinity and muscularity have taken .
PIEDs are a class of drugs that some people use to . They anabolic-androgenic steroids, human growth hormone, and other medicines used “off-label” such as insulin.
Social media platforms such as Instagram and flood us with images and videos to achieve big muscles.
Other by “natural” means, but are then found out as . For those following, especially impressionable young men, the fallout is real. What once seemed like a natural achievement is exposed as chemically enhanced, pushing young men to wonder whether steroids are the only way to keep up.
A growing and harmful trend
Recent studies show that muscle-building behaviours such as steroid use are . But why is this happening?
The answer lies partly in a societal obsession with . Images of sculpted bodies, , set unattainable standards of physical perfection. Fitness influencer content often normalises extreme body ideals. It is no longer just about fitness, it is about .
It is not a harmless trend. The use of steroids carries significant health risks. For instance, beyond the well-known risks of , steroid use can also lead to psychiatric issues such as .
Tragically, some fitness influencers and bodybuilders who use PIEDs . Australian fitness influencer Jaxon Tippet, who openly admitted to using steroids in the past, – a linked to anabolic steroids.
Towards ‘safer use’
Many fitness influencers actively , a booming industry.
This involves providing guidance on training, diet and supplementation. Some of this extends into : providing guidance on how to use steroids and other enhancement drugs within a “safer use” model that’s informed by .
While these approaches don’t encourage drug use, they do offer strategies to reduce and mitigate known harms.
actively champion transparency over steroid use. In recent years, athletes and coaches have on numerous podcasts to discuss prioritising health and behaviours such as .
Regular to mitigate risks associated with steroid use, often conducted at specific intervals.
However, the absence of formal regulation means not all advice is created equal. may still encourage practices that are dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
While these trends are concerning, or shaming young men for their choices. Instead, we advocate for a more positive, educational approach.
A better way forward
Asking people to “” to drug use has never worked. Instead, we must shift the narrative by educating, supporting and collaborating with the people who drive the trend – PIED consumers.
By , we can spread awareness about the dangers of steroid use while offering accurate, evidence-based information about health and wellbeing.
An example of this approach is , a well-known figure in the fitness world. He has used his platform to share .
Steve’s work on , with millions of views, is a model for how harm reduction education can reach a , help normalise safer use discussions and expand access to information.
With this in mind, the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA) has recently launched the (one of us, Tim Piatkowski, is the vice president of QuIVAA). The program provides support to people using steroids, offering peer education and resources via .
Since its inception in January this year, the program has already engaged with and provided harm reduction information to hundreds of Australians who use steroids, helping to bridge critical gaps in education.
As the muscle building trend continues, peers, policymakers, researchers and health professionals across Australia must collaborate to provide accurate, balanced education about the – especially for young men.
, Lecturer in Psychology, and , PhD Candidate, School of Population Health,
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