26 February 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A recent study has highlighted a concerning link between social media consumption and intentions to use anabolic steroids among men. Researchers found that exposure to muscle-related content—such as fitness influencers showcasing their physique or workout routines—can significantly increase the likelihood of men considering steroid use to achieve similar results.
Study Overview
The study, conducted by a team of psychologists and public health researchers, surveyed over 1,500 men aged 18–35 who regularly consumed fitness and bodybuilding content online. Participants were asked about their social media habits, perceptions of ideal body image, and attitudes toward performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids.
Results revealed a clear pattern: men who frequently viewed content emphasizing muscularity and extreme body aesthetics were more likely to report intentions to use steroids compared to those who consumed less or more balanced fitness content.
The Role of Social Media Influencers
The study underscores the influence of social media figures on body image and health behaviors. Many fitness influencers promote intense training regimes, high-protein diets, and supplements, often presenting unrealistic standards of muscularity. While these posts are typically aspirational, researchers argue they can create psychological pressure and body dissatisfaction, driving some men to seek rapid results through steroids.
Dr. Kevin Marshall, a lead researcher in the study, explained, “Repeated exposure to muscular idealized images can distort perceptions of what is achievable naturally. Men may feel compelled to take shortcuts, including steroid use, to align with the physiques they see online.”
Psychological Impacts
The study also examined the psychological mechanisms behind this effect. Men exposed to frequent muscle-focused content reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction, comparison anxiety, and perceived pressure to conform to social ideals. These factors were strongly associated with intentions to use anabolic steroids.
Interestingly, the effect was more pronounced in younger men, aged 18–25, who are particularly active on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This demographic is highly susceptible to peer influence and often values rapid physical transformation.
Health Risks of Steroid Use
Medical experts warn that steroid use carries significant health risks. Anabolic steroids can lead to cardiovascular problems, liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and psychiatric effects such as aggression or depression. Long-term misuse may result in irreversible consequences.
Public health advocates argue that increased awareness and education about these dangers are critical. “Understanding the connection between social media exposure and steroid intentions helps us develop interventions aimed at young men before risky behaviors become normalized,” said Dr. Marshall.
Recommendations for Social Media Users
The study suggests several practical steps to mitigate the risks:
- Critical Consumption: Users should be aware that many online physiques are enhanced by genetics, lighting, filters, or supplements, and are not always natural achievements.
- Follow Evidence-Based Accounts: Prioritize influencers or pages that promote safe training, realistic goals, and balanced health advice.
- Limit Exposure: Reducing time spent on highly curated or extreme muscle-related content may decrease body dissatisfaction and the desire to use performance-enhancing drugs.
- Seek Professional Guidance: Fitness and nutrition goals should be guided by certified trainers or healthcare professionals rather than social media trends.
Broader Implications
This research adds to a growing body of literature examining how social media shapes health behaviors. Beyond steroid use, studies have linked excessive exposure to fitness or appearance-focused content to eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and compulsive exercise.
Experts emphasize that platforms have a responsibility to monitor content that may encourage dangerous behaviors. Possible measures include promoting educational posts about steroid risks, providing warnings on extreme content, and encouraging realistic representations of fitness progress.
Future Directions
The researchers suggest that future studies should explore interventions that can buffer the influence of social media on risky behaviors. For example, media literacy programs and online campaigns promoting body positivity could help mitigate the pressure to use performance-enhancing drugs.
Furthermore, longitudinal studies could clarify whether intentions to use steroids translate into actual use and identify the long-term effects of repeated exposure to muscle-related content on health outcomes.
Conclusion
The study highlights the powerful impact of social media on male body image and health-related decision-making. With the rise of online fitness culture, awareness and proactive strategies are essential to prevent young men from engaging in harmful behaviors, such as anabolic steroid use, in pursuit of an idealized physique.
Summary:
Research shows that men exposed to muscle-focused social media content are more likely to intend to use anabolic steroids, highlighting the influence of online fitness culture on body image and health decisions.