Key Points:
- Jeff Nippard details how anabolic steroids can lead to rapid muscle growth but also pose serious health risks such as increased anxiety, cardiac hypertrophy – heart enlargement – and accelerated brain aging.
- Nippard highlights the lack of full transparency among fitness influencers who use steroids and how this clouds the harsh reality of its use.
The controversy surrounding anabolic steroids has long captivated the fitness community. While their effectiveness in rapidly building muscle is undeniable for some individuals, the potential side effects can be severe and far-reaching. Jeff Nippard, a renowned lifetime natural bodybuilder and science-based fitness influencer, recently delved into this topic in a YouTube video titled “Steroids Are Awesome,” providing a balanced view of the benefits and risks of steroid use.
“The problem with steroids is that they work, like really work,” says Nippard. “That’s probably irresponsible of me to say, but if we’re going to talk about the steroid epidemic, we need to do it honestly.”
The Allure of Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids, such as testosterone enanthate, are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. These substances can significantly enhance muscle growth, far surpassing the effects of supplements like creatine. Nippard points out that while a year of creatine use may add around 2 pounds of muscle, a normal bodybuilding dose of steroids can result in a 20-pound muscle gain, or even more, depending on genetics and dosage.
However, the dramatic increase in muscle mass comes with other substantial physiological changes. For instance, Nippard highlights bodybuilder Chase Irons, who reportedly has testosterone levels exceeding 10,000 nanograms per deciliter, well above the normal range, demonstrating the extreme differences between natural and enhanced physiques.
The Rise of Steroid Use in Fitness
The increasing openness of fitness influencers about their steroid use has inadvertently fueled a surge in steroid consumption. Accordingly, Nippard notes that while transparency was intended to help viewers set realistic expectations, it often has the opposite effect, leading many individuals, particularly new lifters, to start using steroids themselves. This trend is exacerbated by the partial transparency of influencers who showcase their gains without adequately discussing the associated risks.
“The bigger problem is a lot of fitness influencers are only ever partially transparent,” he adds. “They say they’re on steroids, and they show their gains, but they rarely if ever show any of the bad stuff, so the only logical conclusion is that steroids are amazing.”
Physiological Impacts of Steroids
Steroids impact almost every system in the body. And while steroids are primarily utilized to enhance athletic performance and stimulate muscle growth, studies show that steroid use can induce cardiac hypertrophy – enlargement of the heart muscle. Notably, research indicates that cardiac hypertrophy can be catastrophic, often compromising heart function and increasing susceptibility to heart failure.
Moreover, steroids can significantly affect brain function. In fact, evidence suggests that steroid users may experience accelerated brain aging and increased anxiety levels. A study involving over 200 weightlifters showed that those using steroids had a greater brain age gap compared to their natural counterparts, suggesting that their brains were aging faster.
Psychological and Cognitive Side Effects
Steroids can also induce severe psychological effects. In the video, Nippard interviews exercise scientist Dr. Mike Isratael, who mentions that many users, including himself, have reported increased levels of anxiety but notes that certain steroids like trenbolone can cause more pronounced symptoms than others.
He goes on to discuss how prolonged steroid use can lead to a decline in some cognitive functions, including your overall IQ. In another video, Dr. Mike mentions that when he is on high doses of steroids, he feels notably less smart and experiences extreme brain fog. As such, he claims that these effects also prevent him from perceiving positive human emotion, often feeling rage even when looking at naturally beautiful things like ponds and trees in his hometown.
Hidden Dangers and Health Risks
Steroid use is associated with numerous health risks beyond the obvious physical changes. Nippard talks about one of the lesser-known side effects, which is the increased likelihood of abscesses from contaminated injections, particularly when steroids are sourced from underground laboratories. Uniquely, Nippard confirms that he knows bodybuilders who required hospitalization to treat severe abscesses, a risk compounded by the often questionable quality of black-market steroids.
Aggression and Behavioral Changes
The phenomenon of “roid rage” is well-documented, but Dr. Mike points out that it manifests more as heightened aggression and disturbing thoughts rather than outright violence. Furthermore, Dr. Mike says that the psychological strain of continuous aggression can be mentally exhausting, overshadowing the physical gains from steroid use.
Long-Term Consequences
Long-term steroid use can lead to permanent changes in the body. For example, the development of male breast tissue (gynecomastia) and accelerated hair loss are two common side effects. Elevated levels of circulating testosterone increase dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a compound that promotes hair loss, and stimulates estrogen production, which can enlarge breast tissue. Moreover, the unnatural surplus of testosterone signals the body to permanently suppress its natural testosterone production, often necessitating lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
Responsible Steroid Use: Is It Possible?
While the safest option is to avoid steroids altogether, some advocate for a more measured approach to minimize risks. This includes using the lowest effective doses, conducting regular blood work, and consulting medical professionals. However, as Nippard emphasizes, even with these precautions, steroids inherently carry significant risks that cannot be completely mitigated.
The Bottom Line
The fitness community continues to grapple with the ethical and health implications of steroid use. As Nippard’s insights reveal, while steroids offer impressive muscle gains, they also pose serious health risks that can affect nearly every aspect of the body, including accelerating the aging process. For those considering steroids, the decision should be informed by a thorough understanding of both the benefits and the substantial risks involved. That being said, Nippard says that pursuing natural training and nutrition to their fullest potential can offer a safer and ultimately more sustainable path to achieving fitness goals.
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