Last Update: May 2026 | Written by Rozzie Kinyua – Certified Personal Trainer in Dubai
Introduction
I’ve been training people in Dubai for years – teenagers, university students, young professionals, parents. And over the past few years, something has shifted. The questions I used to hear occasionally, I now hear regularly: “How do influencers really get that body?” and “Is it possible to look like that naturally?”
The honest answer is: often, no. It isn’t.
Never before has the pressure to look “perfect” been as intense as it is today. Social media platforms – Instagram, TikTok, YouTube – are flooded with hyper-muscular physiques, extreme definition, and dramatic transformations achieved in timeframes that simply do not align with human biology. For many people – especially young men – this creates the illusion that such bodies are normal, easily attainable, and necessary for social acceptance, success, or attractiveness.
What is rarely stated openly: a significant portion of these physiques are not achievable without pharmacological assistance. The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has steadily shifted from elite sports into commercial gyms, recreational fitness, and increasingly, youth culture. Research indicates that modern steroid use is less about athletic performance and increasingly driven by appearance and social comparison.
Historically, anabolic steroids were developed in the 1950s for legitimate medical purposes – treating muscle-wasting diseases and hormonal deficiencies. Their muscle-building properties quickly attracted attention in competitive sports, particularly bodybuilding. By the 1980s, the severe health consequences were already well documented.
Despite that knowledge, use is rising again – this time among younger users, with lower risk awareness and easier access via online suppliers and unregulated markets. Online forums, influencers, and anecdotal advice frequently replace medical guidance, often minimizing or dismissing long-term consequences.
This article does not aim to moralize. Its purpose is to present evidence-based facts about the real and measurable consequences of steroid use – especially for those who believe they are “only doing a short cycle.” The data is unambiguous, and young people in Dubai and around the world deserve to have access to it.
The Social Media Problem: Why Young Bodies Are Under More Pressure Than Ever
The mechanics of social media amplify a specific type of body in ways that distort perception.
Algorithms favor content that generates engagement. Extreme physiques – shredded abs, massive arms, dramatic transformations – generate clicks, saves, and shares. As a result, these images are pushed disproportionately to users who engage with fitness content, creating the impression that this is what the average active person looks like.
Research published in Body Image (Fardouly et al., 2018) found a significant association between time spent on social media and body dissatisfaction, particularly among younger users who frequently compare themselves to idealized images. More recent analyses specific to men have identified a phenomenon called muscle dysmorphia – a preoccupation with not being muscular enough – as increasingly common in men who consume high volumes of fitness content online.
The problem is not just that the images are unrealistic. It is that they often come with deliberate misinformation. Many influencers attribute their physiques entirely to discipline, diet, and specific training protocols – while omitting the pharmacological assistance that actually explains the results. This creates what researchers have termed a “natty gap”: the difference between what is biologically achievable naturally and what is being presented as the standard.
When a young man in Dubai sees an influencer claiming to have built a certain physique in six months through a specific program, and that physique is only possible with steroids, the natural response is to feel like something is wrong with him when he follows the program and doesn’t get the same result. That frustration is precisely the psychological trigger that often precedes steroid experimentation.
Who Is Actually Using Steroids Today?
The profile of the average steroid user has changed significantly since the 1980s.
Studies suggest that the majority of current users are recreational gym-goers, not competitive athletes. They are often in their late teens or twenties. Their motivation is appearance, not performance. A notable portion begin before the age of 25 – in some cohorts, before 20.
In the UAE context, access to anabolic substances, while legally controlled, is not difficult to obtain through informal channels, supplement stores with gray-area products, or online suppliers. Young men in gym communities frequently encounter these substances through social connections before any professional guidance.
A population-based study by Sagoe et al. (2014) published in the International Journal of Drug Policy estimated global lifetime prevalence of AAS use at approximately 3.3% of the population – higher among men, athletes, and gym-going populations. Among male gym users specifically, prevalence estimates in some settings reach 15-25%.
The point is not that every person in a gym is using steroids. The point is that use is far more common than most parents, coaches, or health professionals realize – and that the social environments young people in Dubai navigate daily include it.
Cardiovascular Risks – The Most Dangerous Consequence
The most serious documented long-term effects of anabolic steroid use involve the cardiovascular system. These include:
- Chronically elevated blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmias and palpitations
- Left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy (structural heart enlargement and damage)
- Accelerated atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries)
- Heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among anabolic steroid users – and it is particularly insidious because it develops silently over years. A 25-year-old using steroids may feel fine. At 40, they may present with the heart of a 65-year-old.
Research by Baggish et al. (2017), published in Circulation, found that long-term anabolic steroid users showed significantly worse left ventricular systolic function and more coronary atherosclerosis than matched non-users – independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. The damage was measurable even in users who considered themselves healthy.
What makes this especially dangerous for young users: the cardiovascular effects accumulate over time. A first cycle at 20 may produce no symptoms. The consequences may manifest as a cardiac event at 38 or 45 – years after the person has stopped using, long after any visible muscle gains have faded.
Hormonal and Reproductive Damage
When you introduce exogenous (external) testosterone or testosterone analogues into your body, your endocrine system responds by shutting down its own production. This is called anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism (ASIH).
The consequences include:
- Testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testes due to suppressed natural production)
- Dramatically reduced or absent sperm production
- Long-term or permanent infertility in some cases
- Loss of libido and erectile dysfunction
- Dependency on testosterone replacement therapy after cessation
Rahnema et al. (2014), published in Fertility and Sterility, documented that a significant proportion of men who used anabolic steroids – even for short cycles – experienced prolonged or permanent suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Recovery is not guaranteed. Some users never regain normal natural testosterone production without medical intervention.
What begins as a shortcut to muscle ends, for many users, as a lifetime dependency on hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal male function. This is not a rare side effect. It is a predictable biological consequence of suppressing the body’s own regulatory systems.
For young men who intend to have children, this is one of the most consequential risks – and one of the least discussed in online fitness communities.
Psychological Effects and Addiction
One of the most underestimated risks of steroid use is psychological dependency. This is not a metaphor. Anabolic steroids can create a genuine chemical dependency that meets formal clinical criteria for substance use disorder.
Research by Kanayama et al. (2009), published in Addiction, estimated that approximately 30% of anabolic steroid users develop physical dependence – a rate higher than observed for alcohol, cocaine, or heroin. The mechanism involves both the direct effects of hormonal manipulation on mood and brain chemistry, and the psychological dependency that develops around the physique changes.
When users stop, they often experience:
- Severe depression (partly caused by the crash in testosterone levels)
- Fatigue and loss of motivation
- Rapid loss of the muscle and definition they gained
- Intense urge to resume use
This cycle is precisely what drives continued use despite knowledge of the risks.
Beyond addiction, steroid users show:
- Twice the likelihood of requiring antidepressants or psychiatric medication compared to non-users
- Higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and impulse control problems
- Increased irritability, paranoia, and interpersonal conflict during active use (the well-documented “roid rage” phenomenon, though its presentation varies between individuals)
For young men already navigating identity, relationships, and mental health challenges, introducing a substance that fundamentally destabilizes hormonal and psychological balance is a significant risk that deserves far more honest discussion than it receives.
Violence, Crime, and Social Consequences
The association between anabolic steroid use and violent behavior is one of the most consistently documented findings in the literature on this topic.
Large Danish registry studies – including the cohort research by Dalhoff, Andersen, and Horwitz (2015) – found that anabolic steroid users were up to nine times more likely to be convicted of violent crimes compared to matched non-users.
The causal relationship is complex and not fully settled. Some researchers argue that pre-existing personality traits may contribute both to steroid use and aggressive behavior. Others point to the direct neurological and hormonal effects of supraphysiological androgen levels. In practice, both pathways likely contribute.
The social consequences extend beyond criminal behavior:
- Relationship instability and conflict
- Occupational difficulties related to mood and behavior
- Social isolation driven by body dysmorphia and obsessive training behaviors
- Financial strain from ongoing substance costs and medical management
For young men in Dubai building careers, relationships, and futures, these social consequences are not abstract. They are the lived experience of people who began a “short cycle” at 19 and found themselves in a dependency they hadn’t anticipated.
Cancer Risk
Long-term anabolic steroid abuse has been associated with:
- Liver tumors (particularly hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma with oral steroid use)
- Prostate abnormalities and potentially increased prostate cancer risk
- Wilms’ tumor (a kidney cancer found disproportionately in case reports of steroid users)
The evidence here is less precisely quantified than for cardiovascular or psychiatric risks, partly because long-term follow-up studies are difficult to conduct in this population. However, the plausible biological mechanisms – chronic hormonal disruption, altered cell signaling, elevated IGF-1 – are well established. The absence of certainty should not be confused with safety.
Significantly Increased Mortality
The Danish cohort research by Dalhoff et al. (2015), based on extensive registry data from the University of Copenhagen, provides the most comprehensive mortality data available:
The mortality rate among anabolic steroid users is approximately three times higher than in the general population.
This elevated risk is driven by a combination of causes: cardiovascular disease, accidents and violence, infections (particularly among those who inject), and long-term hormonal complications.
The population studied was not a group of extreme, long-term professional bodybuilders. It included recreational users – the gym-going population most comparable to the young men in Dubai who are being targeted by influencer marketing today.
Three times the mortality. For a physique that may last five years before the health consequences become evident.
Warning Signs: What Parents and Coaches Should Watch For
If you are a parent of a teenager involved in sport or fitness – or if you work with young people in any training capacity – these are the behavioral and physical signs that warrant a serious conversation:
Physical indicators:
- Rapid, disproportionate muscle gain in a short period (5–10 kg of lean mass in 2–3 months)
- Sudden and pronounced acne, particularly on the back and shoulders
- Testicular changes or apparent reduction in size
- Unusual mood swings, irritability, or aggression
Behavioral indicators:
- Secretive behavior around supplements or purchases
- Obsessive focus on appearance beyond typical gym motivation
- Spending disproportionate time and money on fitness-related products
- Social withdrawal outside of gym contexts
- Expressing feelings of inadequacy when comparing themselves to social media physiques
If you are in Dubai and working with young athletes or teenagers who are showing these signs, early honest conversation matters. The Kids & Family Fitness approach I take prioritizes building a healthy, confident relationship with the body – one that doesn’t require shortcuts and doesn’t leave young people vulnerable to the misinformation that drives early steroid use.
The Sustainable Alternative: Slow, Honest, and Real
Building a genuinely strong, healthy, and defined body without steroids is entirely possible. It is simply slower – and that is not a flaw. It is the biology working correctly.
Progress achieved through structured Personal Training, progressive overload, adequate recovery, and evidence-based nutrition produces results that are stable, maintainable, and safe. The physique belongs entirely to you. It does not disappear when a drug is discontinued. It does not demand your health, your fertility, your mental stability, or years of your lifespan in return.
A realistic timeline for natural training:
- Months 1-3: Significant neurological adaptation, improved movement quality, initial strength gains, early changes in definition
- Months 3-6: Visible body composition change with aligned nutrition; measurable increases in lean mass
- Year 1-2: Genuine physical transformation that reflects structured, consistent effort
I have written in detail about what honest progress actually looks like in my article on what I would do differently for weight loss or weight gain – including the mistakes I made and what I learned from them. For women specifically, the article on whether lifting weights makes you bulky addresses many of the same social media myths from a different angle.
A natural approach:
- Respects individual genetics – your body has a specific potential, and working with it produces lasting results
- Strengthens the cardiovascular system rather than systematically damaging it
- Supports hormonal health rather than disrupting the entire endocrine axis
- Builds mental resilience through the genuine experience of earned progress
- Is available to you for life – not contingent on maintaining a substance cycle
If you are in Dubai and want to build a real foundation – one that will serve your body for decades rather than give you a shortcut that costs you your health – I offer Personal Training at your home, in your building gym, or outdoors across the city. Every client starts with a proper consultation and a program built around their actual life.
Ready to train the right way?
I work with clients across Dubai – from Jumeirah to DIFC to Emirates Hills. If you want a structured, evidence-based approach to building strength and body confidence without shortcuts, let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are steroids illegal in the UAE?
In the UAE, anabolic androgenic steroids are generally treated as controlled substances or prescription medicines. Possession, use, import or distribution without valid medical authorization can lead to serious legal consequences. Anyone with legal questions should speak with a qualified legal or medical professional rather than relying on gym or online advice.
How can I tell if someone is using steroids?
No single sign proves steroid use. However, a combination of unusually rapid muscle gain, sudden severe acne, mood changes, secretive behavior around supplements, and obsessive training patterns can be warning signs. The safest approach is not to accuse, but to start a concerned and honest conversation.
Can young people recover from steroid use?
Recovery is possible, but it is not guaranteed. It depends on age, duration of use, dosage, compounds used, and individual health. Some people may recover hormone function after stopping, while others may experience longer-term hormonal, cardiovascular or psychological effects. Medical supervision is strongly recommended.
What’s the youngest age steroid use typically starts?
Research has documented anabolic steroid use beginning during the teenage years in some populations, including the mid-to-late teens. This is especially concerning because the endocrine system is still developing during adolescence, and steroid use at this stage may carry greater risk.
Are natural supplements safe alternatives?
Some standard sports supplements, such as protein powder or creatine, can be safe for many healthy adults when used correctly. The bigger concern is products marketed with exaggerated claims, such as testosterone boosters, prohormones, SARMs or extreme muscle-building formulas. These may contain undisclosed or risky ingredients. If a supplement promises results that sound too good to be true, caution is needed.
How long does it take to see real results without steroids?
Natural results take time. Many people notice strength, posture and energy improvements within a few weeks. Visible muscle definition may take several weeks, while significant body composition change usually develops over several months of consistent strength training, nutrition, recovery and realistic expectations.
My son or friend may be using steroids. What should I do?
Do not start with accusation or punishment. Begin from genuine concern and describe what you have noticed. The pressure behind steroid use can be social, emotional and psychological, so dismissing it often closes the conversation. If use is confirmed or strongly suspected, encourage medical evaluation with a qualified physician, sports medicine doctor or endocrinologist.
Is there any safe dose of steroids?
There is no anabolic steroid use for physique enhancement that can be considered completely risk-free. Even lower-dose cycles can affect natural hormone production, cardiovascular health and psychological patterns. Steroids should not be used without legitimate medical indication and qualified medical supervision.
