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. 2024 Apr;41(2):212-225.
doi: 10.1177/14550725231206011. Epub 2023 Nov 6.

The dichotomy between health and drug abuse in bodybuilding

Jay Horn  1
Affiliations

The dichotomy between health and drug abuse in bodybuilding

Jay Horn. Nordisk Alkohol Nark. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the expansion and prevalence of anabolic steroid use by examining the divergent effects between health and drug abuse and to create more awareness around the harmful consequences of these drugs when administered at abusive levels. Methods: A focused and concise literature search was conducted, and 101 high-quality articles were included in the review. Results: The findings underscore the adverse health risks of steroid abuse, emphasizing the stark contrast between health and drug abuse. Conclusions: While steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs can yield muscle growth, strength and even fat loss, abusing these substances can lead to adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, within the fitness subculture, particularly in the realm of bodybuilding, steroid abuse fosters an atmosphere of cheating and deception, frequently downplaying or ignoring the negative and sometimes deadly consequences it brings.

Keywords: bodybuilding; contest prep; performance-enhancing drugs; steroid abuse; steroids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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