Following the rise of short-form media and the internet, more people than ever before have been able to form into communities, connecting over common interests. And in general, this is great. Finding a sense of community that spans hundreds of miles is a wonderful way to experience social connectedness and learn about others’ lives and information that you would have a hard time accessing otherwise. But nothing comes without its downsides. From the death of your attention span to the weird indent in your pinky finger caused by your phone, our entire lives have been rewritten; our brains have been rewired.
This is particularly evident in our perception of beauty. How others see us shapes our identity, and people often judge us by our looks first. Every generation has had its own beauty standards, but now it feels like what’s considered attractive changes every few weeks. Due to this constant loop of scrolling, our brains have become accustomed to constant validation. Many teens, including myself, end up comparing themselves to almost impossible beauty standards. And many teens often feel the need to change their appearance. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects 2 out of 100 adolescents, though it’s often theorized that BDD is an underdiagnosed disorder. Studies show that adolescents who frequently engage with social media often report dissatisfaction with their appearance, comparing themselves to what they believe to be the ideal. However, because we are accustomed to constant validation, making changes within ourselves becomes more challenging. It isn’t instant, it is hard, and sometimes it seems impossible.
Putting in the work and bettering yourself can be a great thing, and fitness influencers should be commended for doing so. But that isn’t always the case. Many influencers generate income by appealing to the insecurities of their teenage audience. They know working out takes time, and that many want instant results. You can always look better, be thinner. And… Why struggle on your own when you can turn to PEDs? Steroids and other drugs like SARMs or Prohormones are often seen as the shortcut to looking your best in a shorter amount of time. It is often believed that after around 3 to 5 years, your natural gains tend to plateau.
How can you avoid that gutting feeling? It’s frustrating and embarrassing, especially for teenagers across the nation who are consumed with their physical appearance. Well, if you take a quick trip to your favorite social media app, there will most certainly be some fitness influencer telling you what drugs you could take.
If you dislike your body, and you desire so much to look aesthetically pleasing? Well, we can fix that. More adolescents than ever before are able to access these drugs. Click a few buttons on your computer or phone, and “Research Chemicals” are somewhere out there waiting for anyone with a credit or debit card.
The truth is, you don’t know what you are getting, and it’s certainly illegal. Companies working under a label that claims they sell research chemicals know who they are advertising to. And it can be incredibly enticing. But… Did you get what you paid for? Do you know what you are doing? Well, most adolescents taking PEDs don’t. It is entirely possible that you end up taking some random substance that is causing irreparable damage to your body.
I recently was able to interview a student at our school who requested to remain anonymous, asking him about his experiences with PEDs.
“For me, it’s been very beneficial. It’s helping me get closer to my full potential, and I feel like I’m finally starting to stand out.
Of course, there are downsides, like the acne and occasional bursts of anger. My temper is shorter, and negative emotions come more easily, but I feel capable of managing them.
Some physical changes make me anxious, especially when parts of my body seem to be growing in unexpected ways. I truly have no idea what this is gonna do to me, cause like no one my age has been doing this for very long. I think it’s so new, how virtually anyone could do this.
But in the end, I know I wasn’t born especially gifted, so I’m partly doing this to compensate for not being fully satisfied with myself. That’s a big reason I keep going, even though it could harm my health in the future. I try not to dwell on that, because right now, I just want to feel good about myself.
I can’t help but compare myself to those around me and wonder: do I want to be less, or do I want to be more? I just wanna be so abnormally good at what I do.”
I think it is important to note that partaking in drugs such as these has a wide range of effects on your physiological and psychological health; these drugs may also alter your behavior. Common side effects of taking PEDs for an extended period of time are an increased susceptibility to heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots, as well as skin issues and the deterioration of your kidneys and liver. Your behavior is also affected. Paranoia and mood swings, as well as feelings of rage, are common. Withdrawal symptoms may include depression, fatigue, insomnia, and cravings.
The pressure to fit in and chase these unrealistic standards can be overwhelming, especially when we live in a world where results seem only a click away. But shortcuts come with a hidden cost, and in the long run, these risks far outweigh the fleeting feelings of validation. As we navigate these challenges, remember that real confidence and self-worth are not obtained overnight, let alone found in some pill or injection. They come from accepting ourselves, taking care of our bodies and minds, and finding value outside of our physical appearance. Only then may we truly come to terms with the world around us. Only then may we be truly happy. True strength is the ability to make the right decision, even if it is not easy.
