In a world where social media is widespread, and 15-year-olds are benching 400 pounds, and 14-year-olds squatting 500, the standards continue to rise, pressuring teenagers towards performance-enhancing drugs to keep up.

Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube show young influencers putting on incredible size and strength. Many of these influencers claim to be natural or lie about their age, creating even more unrealistic expectations. What took years to achieve is now spread to be achieved in months. Now more than ever, young lifters are pressured to take measures to compete with the “new standard.” Is it worth it?

7% of high school students admit to using anabolic steroids (Partnership for Drug Free Kids, July, 2014).
21% of high school students know a friend who uses steroids (Partnership for Drug Free Kids, July, 2014).
77% of males surveyed said that steroid use in sports “puts pressure on young athletes to use drugs to get ahead” (Zogby Analytics polls for Digital Citizens Alliance).
85% of young people have never had a parent, coach or teacher talk with them about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs (Procter & Gamble Survey).

Steroids can be extremely harmful for teens, with the possibility of stunted growth, acne, damage to organs, high blood pressure, fertility problems, mood swings, aggressive behavior, and depression. Males can experience smaller testicles and the development of breast tissue as well. Unfortunately, some lifters are willing to take these risks, often believing it wouldn’t happen to them or that it isn’t as bad as some claim. Some lifters are aware of these side effects and continue. So why?

Because steroids work. Studies show they gain 52% more strength compared to natural lifters. It helps increase muscle gain significantly and muscle growth. It’s like giving yourself superpowers, but you’d be surprised by how little steroids do as well. Many results aren’t as crazy as others, and many natural lifters still surpass enhanced lifters. It doesn’t just instantly get you your dream body. Many times, it’s never enough, and it leads to more and more dangerous drugs.

In teenage years, testosterone is already at its peak. Taking steroids will just hurt you. My advice? Compare yourself to yourself, eat healthy foods, eat enough foods, sleep eight to nine hours, and train harder than last time. Don’t sacrifice your body for gains; they will come, and they will stay longer instead of disappearing the moment you stop. Taking steroids doesn’t unlock your potential; it cuts it short.

Unfortunately for natural lifters, results are minuscule compared to those enhanced. After teen years have passed, and testosterone peaks, years of lifting your body slow down. After three to four years, gains slow down significantly, and years turn into moving at a snail’s pace. Strength caps off, it often becomes nearly impossible to add five to 10 pounds to lifts, and it takes years to even put on a couple of pounds of muscle. This puts pressure on those whose progress has come to a halt to turn to the dark side. And these lifters are faced with a choice: to continue their passion for gaining strength and size or fight to maintain it. Those must choose if it’s worth their health and their lives. Stay healthy, stay natural, your life is worth more than gains.