When asked his biggest fear, popular social media influencer Jon Brannon, also known as Jon Skywalker, responded “dying skinny.”
Brannon and many other fitness influencers encourage a culture of toxic masculinity through steroid usage. In his Tik Tok bio he even describes himself as a “TREN-SETTER”, or a trendsetter in the fitness industry, as well as a promoter of using Tren, or Trenbolone, an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) (Underwood, 2022). Popular twin brothers, self proclaimed, “Tren Twins,” promote a similar message to their 1.6 million Instagram followers.
Trenbolone, and steroid use in general, is becoming more socially normalized and promoted today among men (Bonnecaze et al., 2020). Trenbolone is a steroid used by many influencers to gain muscle mass quickly by boosting their testosterone levels. Trenbolone is one of the most popular steroids used by bodybuilders, who have a notable influence over men’s body perception. (Underwood, 2022 & Brown, 1999).
Society’s Impact on Steroid Use
Male users and former users of AAS aged 20-65 and display multiple reasons men take steroids, relating to ideals of masculinity, like strong defined physical features and social dominance (Börjesson et al., 2021).
Men also frequently compare themselves to other men, and internalize muscular body ideals when they see masculine and muscular social media posts (Fasoli & Constantinou, 2024). These comparisons increase many men’s desire to become the most ideal version of the traditional male physique. (Börjesson et al., 2021).
What’s the way men can achieve these standards of masculinity after comparison? Steroids (Grammas, 2009).
Shredded or Shattered? The Side Effects of Steroids
Despite its popularity, trenbolone can cause significant physical harm among bodybuilders (Underwood, 2022). Consequences include liver damage, kidney damage, blood pressure spikes, hair loss, sexual harm like erectile dysfunction and a negative impact on sleep, as some individuals only report 2-3 hours of sleep per night while taking tren (Underwood, 2022). In extreme cases, death has occurred as a result of health complications from anabolic androgenic steroid usage, like trenbolone (Talih et al., 2007).
Not only does trenbolone cause adverse physical effects to one’s body, it can have a heavy psychological impact. Effects include lower self esteem and body dysmorphia, or physiological discontent with one’s perceived body image (Tager et al., 2006), which has been linked with increased depression and anxiety among college age males (Grammas, 2009). Problems with addiction and increased violent behaviors have also been documented (Christoffersen et al., 2019).
Consequences of Trenbolone
Even with extensive research on the negative consequences of steroid use, many men may still ignore these consequences until they become reality, due to pressures of masculinity and social comparison (Börjesson et al., 2021).
Even with extensive research on the negative consequences of steroid use, many men may still ignore these consequences until they become reality, due to pressures of masculinity and social comparison (Börjesson et al., 2021).
Hope For the Future
There is hope. It’s important to realize that while many influencers promote masculine stereotypes and use steroids, that’s not always the case. One example is Kelvin Davis, a body positive Instagram influencer who promotes a lifestyle that encourages people to be grateful for who they are, while sharing his passions for clothing, working out and writing along the way.
For any man that’s struggling with body confidence today, there are organizations and websites that promote body positivity, as well as offer support and teach how to promote body positivity unto others, like the Butterfly Foundation and the Better Health Channel. Other sites also allow men to share their personal stories and embrace who they are, like The Good Man Project.
One’s physical and mental health is more important than their appearance. For that reason, use caution following and modeling decisions after bodybuilders and influencers who use steroids and promote idealized and unrealistic images of the masculine physique. Create a sustainable and healthy future for yourself through a growth mindset, and follow fitness influencers and health organizations that support and challenge you to become the best version of yourself.
References
Bonnecaze AK, O’Connor T, Aloi JA. 2020. “Characteristics and Attitudes of Men Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS): A Survey of 2385 Men.” American Journal of Men’s Health, 14(6)
Börjesson, A., Ekebergh, M., Dahl, M.L., Ekström, L., Lehtihet, M., & Vicente., V. 2021. “Men’s experiences of using anabolic androgenic steroids.” International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 16(1)
Brown, David. 1999. “Male bodybuilders and the social meaning of muscle.” Auto/Biography, 2:83-90
Christoffersen, T., Andersen, J.T., Dalhoff, K.P., Horwitz, H. 2019. “Anabolic-androgenic steroids and the risk of imprisonment.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 203:92-97
Fasoli, F., Constantinou, D. 2024. “Does body positivity work for men as it does for women? The impact of idealized body and body positive imagery on body satisfaction, drive for thinness, and drive for muscularity.” Acta Psychologica, 243
Grammas, D., & Schwartz, J. 2009. “Internalization of messages from society and perfectionism as predictors of male body image.” Body Image, 6(1):31-36
Tager, D., Good, G., & Morrison, J. B. 2006. “Our Bodies, Ourselves Revisited: Male Body Image and Psychological Well-Being.” International Journal of Men’s Health, 5(3):228-237
Talih, F., Fattal, O., Donland, M. Jr. 2007. “Anabolic Steroid Use: Psychiatric and Physical Costs.” Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 74(5):341-352
Underwood, M. 2022. “Taking the god of all steroids and making a pact with the devil: online bodybuilding communities and the negotiation of trenbolone risk.” Doping in Sport and Fitness, 16:111-136
