DSPAN’s Fellow Dr. Tim Piatkowski’s recent research illustrates the rise of anabolic steroids as an emerging threat in Australia. This increasing trend is most alarming within youth, just as they are gravely impacted by social media. His groundbreaking findings reveal catastrophic levels of toxic metals in contraband steroids. This could have significant public health ramifications given the health risks associated with these substances. Harm reduction advocates and experts have long urged the administration to implement evidence-based strategies. They emphasize the need for a greater focus on research and improved testing alternatives.
For Dr. Piatkowski, the testing for steroids is very complex, and notoriously difficult. This hassle compounds the pain for users. Moreover, a significant trend of “home brewing” steroids further blurs the line. People are purchasing these powders online from overseas sources, primarily in China. For example, bodybuilders may take as many as ten steroid tablets per day, increasing the risk of health effects significantly.
Health Risks Associated with Anabolic Steroids
Dr. Piatkowski’s lab work on samples from Australia’s underground steroid market paints a scary picture. His research discovered that three-quarters of the anabolic steroids analyzed contained a lower amount of the anabolic steroid than indicated. In addition, the study found hazardous levels of heavy metals including arsenic, lead and cadmium in some of the samples.
“When we added that up … and extrapolated that, we saw that a lot of these actually had lead and arsenic and cadmium outside of those daily exposure limits, so really, really concerning.” – Dr. Tim Piatkowski
The reduction in physical activity after these findings is especially troubling for youth users. As Dr. Piatkowski explains, those important years of development are when heavy metal exposure can inhibit growth and development. This constant exposure can result in permanent health effects.
“It’s in those key developmental years where things like heavy metal exposure become even more dangerous, so the brain is still developing, the organs, the body is still developing.” – Dr. Tim Piatkowski
Dr. Piatkowski is committed to improving harm reduction messaging through his research. Without proper timeliness and transparency, he says, consumers are left vulnerable to potentially irreversible negative health outcomes.
The Demand for More Research
Dr. Katinka van de Ven and colleagues raise doubts about the efficacy of existing anabolic steroid testing regimes. She drives home the point that we need a lot more research into these anabolic steroids and their effects on health.
“We do need to highlight the real risks people face when they buy steroids from the black market.” – Dr. Katinka van de Ven
Though she has few qualms about qualitative testing methods, Dr. van de Ven lauds Dr. Piatkowski’s study as “robust.” She knows that his research is the first big step to demystifying the risks tied to anabolic steroid use.
“What makes this study different is that it is one of the first studies that is actually using these findings to inform harm reduction messaging, which is a really positive step.” – Dr. Katinka van de Ven
She calls for further research not only to understand the substances themselves but to develop effective strategies for harm reduction among users.
Perspectives from Users
Theo Maddox, a male powerlifter, discusses his firsthand experience with anabolic steroids. Here he goes into great detail about the psychological effects of steroid use. He argues that because masculinity and confidence are often closely tied to success in powerlifting, steroids offer many male athletes a shortcut to achieving those sensations.
“If you have the option to check what you’re taking, why wouldn’t you?” – Theo Maddox
This sentiment underscores a broader issue: the need for reliable information and safe testing options for users who may otherwise be unaware of the potential dangers associated with black market substances.
Dr. Piatkowski notes that building this kind of trust and rapport with the community is key. This understanding is vital for us to effectively educate citizens about the risks of steroid use. His efforts are informed by his own experiences with steroids and driven by his desire to offer the best resources possible to help people make educated decisions.
“Having used steroids and other image and performance-enhancing drugs myself… I really saw a genuine need in the community to help people have options and make better decisions.” – Dr. Tim Piatkowski
This new approach recognizes that knowing what’s in our food is crucial to understanding their potential health impacts and making safer choices.
