Steroids: The Truth Behind the Muscle Gains and the Hidden Risks
When it comes to rapid muscle growth, few substances can compete with anabolic steroids. These compounds, often glorified in bodybuilding culture, have the undeniable power to accelerate size and strength gains beyond what natural training and supplementation could ever offer. But while the appeal of a dramatic transformation is real, so are the consequences—many of which are hidden beneath the surface or downplayed by those promoting performance enhancement.
Let’s break down what steroids actually do, why they’ve become so common, and what risks you should consider before ever thinking about using them.
Why Steroids Work So Well
Anabolic steroids, such as testosterone enanthate, are synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of natural testosterone. Once injected into the body, they increase protein synthesis and muscle cell growth far beyond what your natural hormonal levels could sustain.
Compare this: a year of using creatine consistently may yield around 2–3 pounds of lean muscle mass. A typical anabolic steroid cycle at moderate doses could add 10–25 pounds of muscle in the same timeframe—sometimes even more, depending on genetics and training intensity.
These results aren’t hypothetical—they’re the reality for thousands of enhanced lifters, whose testosterone levels can soar well beyond natural limits. For reference, a normal adult male’s testosterone level might hover around 400–700 ng/dL. Some enhanced lifters report numbers over 10,000 ng/dL while on cycle.
The New Normal in Fitness Culture
In recent years, more influencers have come forward about their use of performance-enhancing drugs. While transparency can help set more realistic expectations for natural lifters, it has also had an unintended side effect: normalization.
Instead of inspiring caution, some people see transparency as a green light. And because most influencers only show the upside—bigger arms, shredded physiques, massive lifts—many followers never learn about the darker side of steroid use.
What Happens Inside the Body
Steroids affect nearly every system in the body, not just muscle tissue.
Once testosterone is injected into a muscle, it slowly diffuses into the bloodstream. Enzymes remove the attached ester (a chemical modifier that prolongs absorption), and the free testosterone begins circulating. From there, it binds to androgen receptors in muscle cells and ramps up muscle protein synthesis.
But the heart is a muscle too—and here’s where things get complicated.
Excessive testosterone can lead to hypertrophy of the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber). While a bigger heart might sound beneficial, in this case, it often becomes stiffer and less efficient, increasing the risk of heart failure.
Psychological and Cognitive Effects
The brain isn’t immune either. Users often report elevated anxiety levels, mood swings, and even cognitive changes. Some compounds, like trenbolone, are notorious for inducing severe irritability and intrusive thoughts. Others may cause long-term anxiety disorders or impair specific domains of intelligence.
A 2021 study using MRI scans found that steroid users had brains that appeared biologically older than their actual age—an alarming sign of accelerated neurodegeneration.
And while many people begin steroids to feel better about their bodies, the opposite often occurs. Body dysmorphia can worsen as users chase unrealistic goals and struggle with the psychological crash after coming off cycle.
The Physical Cost: Gyno, Hair Loss, and More
Steroid use can also cause numerous aesthetic and hormonal side effects. These include:
- Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men), caused by testosterone converting into estrogen.
- Testicular atrophy, where the body stops producing its own testosterone due to external hormone overload.
- Male-pattern baldness, driven by the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
- Severe acne, due to overactive sebaceous glands producing excessive sebum.
These effects often require additional medications to control—each with their own side effects. And if you think low-dose or “mild” steroid use avoids these issues, think again. Even testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can lead to complications if not closely monitored.
Underground Labs and Infections
Most steroids are obtained through unofficial sources. This introduces another risk: contaminated products. Poorly manufactured gear can cause abscesses—painful buildups of pus in muscle tissue requiring surgical drainage. Some users have been hospitalized due to these infections, which can be both dangerous and disfiguring.
Aggression, Libido, and Injuries
Steroids can also affect behavior and sexual health. Users often describe feeling like teenagers again—libido skyrockets, sometimes to the point of distraction. This hormonal surge, combined with the psychological effects of certain compounds, can trigger mood swings or aggression (commonly referred to as “roid rage”).
The rapid strength gains can also become a trap. Muscles grow faster than tendons and ligaments can adapt, making injuries—especially tears and strains—more likely during heavy lifts.
Lifespan and Mortality Risk
A 2024 study followed over 60,000 people for 11 years, including more than 3,000 steroid users. By the end of the study, 2.8% of steroid users had died, compared to only 1% of non-users in the same age range. That’s nearly triple the mortality rate—an alarming statistic, especially for individuals in their twenties and thirties.
Is There a “Safe” Way to Use?
While no steroid use is completely safe, there are less dangerous ways to approach it. These include:
- Starting with low doses.
- Monitoring health markers regularly with blood work and heart scans.
- Working with a qualified coach and medical doctor.
- Using the minimum effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
But even with all precautions, the analogy still holds: driving 200 mph with a seatbelt and airbags is safer than doing it without them—but it’s still extremely risky.
The Right Age—and Mindset—for Enhancement
Steroid use before your mid-20s can interfere with growth plate development and even brain maturation. For that reason, many experts suggest waiting until at least 25 years of age—and ideally after 8–10 years of consistent, natural training.
During that time, most lifters will learn their own physiology, refine their technique, and build a strong foundation. Many will also discover they don’t need enhancement at all to reach their goals.
Natural Progress Is Still Possible
If you’ve plateaued, it’s worth asking: Are you truly at your natural limit, or are you simply not training and eating as consistently as you could be?
Several high-level natural lifters have proven that meaningful gains are still possible with optimized training, precise tracking, and smart nutrition—even deep into their lifting careers.
Before turning to pharmacology, why not go all-in on the fundamentals first?
Final Thoughts
Steroids might deliver rapid results, but they also carry real, long-term consequences. The decision to enhance should never be taken lightly, and certainly not made based on what looks good in a filtered Instagram post.
Muscle takes time. Health is priceless. And sometimes, the most powerful transformation you can make is choosing to stay natural—and committing fully to the process.
