Why are steroids illegal?

[OverTraineD]

It seems like to me that almost all the research and studies out there show steroids can be safe if taken properly and at the right age so why not just make them legal and regulate them. Seriously whats so wrong about wanting to take something that makes you bigger,stronger, increases libido,etc etc.

[Metalject]

There's no way to prove this outright but my theory for a long time is they are regulated so heavily because it would hurt big pharma tremendously in the short run. Why? Most men who use steroids and HGH take less other prescription medications.

Also, you have to take into account that the argument surrounding steroids has largely rested on emotion rather than facts and when emotion rules a topic insanity often prevails. The steroid argument, at least in the U.S. is the modern equivalent to the witch hunts of a few hundred years ago. Blind fear and hysteria rule the day. A lot of people like to boastfully claim that man has evolved into a higher level of thinking and that we're not as backward as our ancestors. That is something I couldn't disagree with more. Man has not changed and never will. The hearts of men and the emotions tied to thought are intrinsic to man's being. The topics change but that's it.

[SexySweetheart]

mis information / not enough education / politics in our own government and world wide / urban legend are all bearers in level headed acceptance of the study and practice creating a secrecy and feeding the previously named -even further

i believe that eventually things will change - society as a whole seems to ever be moving forward with its tolerance acceptance and curiosity.... but not in my life time i think :/

[evander87]

I feel the public perception of steroids are directly related to cheating. This is a steroid forum but most of the discussions relate to bodybuilding. But there are a lot of steroids being used to enhance athletic performance and are banned by athletic organizations. If the topic comes up around a lot of my friends and we're just talking about lifting they often say "it's cheating". I ask how is it cheating? Are fake breasts cheating? If something is taken to make for better aesthetics who is it cheating?

I think the perception is slowly changing though. You see prescription testosterone boosters being advertised. I've heard some guys say they should look into that. I casually interject something like "oh so you're going to hit the juice?" They look at me funny and I point out how testosterone is a "steroid". They have no idea of that connection. So I think perception is slowly changing and with the anti-aging clinics out there it's either going to open up more or the fed is going to regulate them out of existence. I really hope it's the former. My life is much better with trt.

[Red Bastard]

Not illegal in Canada!

[poloblue]

It seems like to me that almost all the research and studies out there show steroids can be safe if taken properly and at the right age so why not just make them legal and regulate them. Seriously whats so wrong about wanting to take something that makes you bigger,stronger, increases libido,etc etc.

Because politicians work very long hours and travel long to get to work which leaves them no time to work out and make them feel and look good about them selfs...
Then there's people like us that workout, eat right and go hard at everything we do( especially sex)

[kelkel]

Two words:

Lyle Alzado

[HitIt]

Two words:

Lyle Alzado

sad but true.

[JohnnyVegas]

I feel the public perception of steroids are directly related to cheating. This is a steroid forum but most of the discussions relate to bodybuilding. But there are a lot of steroids being used to enhance athletic performance and are banned by athletic organizations. If the topic comes up around a lot of my friends and we're just talking about lifting they often say "it's cheating". I ask how is it cheating? Are fake breasts cheating? If something is taken to make for better aesthetics who is it cheating.

Totally agree with this.

Two words:

Lyle Alzado

...and this.

[Far from massive]

Seriously? Something with the potential to permanently disrupt the bodies production of testosterone is not likely to be legal. Just look at the number of simpletons who jump on a cycle without a firm PCT plan in hand despite being warned as well as the number who continue to run back to back cycles and I really do understand the reluctance to legalize them.

Not saying I agree. Just pointing out in a land where our Gov tries to protect us from large soft drinks and marijuana and makes us were seat belts in cars with 8 airbags on 25mph roads, I really can't see AAS getting the nod any time soon.

[Indymuscleguy]

Two words:

Lyle Alzado

Do you mean because he was famous and said steroids caused his brain tumor? Or are you saying that steroid usage can lead to brain tumors? Steroids are not considered a risk factor for developing a brain tumor bot benign or malignant.

[Indymuscleguy]

And oh, funny how you can drink and smoke yourself to death and it's completely legal. Doesn't it make you happy that one of the biggest reasons why the cost of healthcare is so high is due to the medical costs associated with the management and or treatment of diseases linked to cigarette, pipe, and chewing tobacco?

[auswest]

Because they are powerful hormones, when in the wrong hands they can ruin life's.... Isn't it obvious?

[auswest]

And oh, funny how you can drink and smoke yourself to death and it's completely legal. Doesn't it make you happy that one of the biggest reasons why the cost of healthcare is so high is due to the medical costs associated with the management and or treatment of diseases linked to cigarette, pipe, and chewing tobacco?

So we legalise steroids and increase gyno surgery and trt 10 fold, not to mention numerous other issues that may arise...

This is really a no brainer topic IMO

[535smasher]

Seriously? Something with the potential to permanently disrupt the bodies production of testosterone is not likely to be legal. Just look at the number of simpletons who jump on a cycle without a firm PCT plan in hand despite being warned as well as the number who continue to run back to back cycles and I really do understand the reluctance to legalize them.

Not saying I agree. Just pointing out in a land where our Gov tries to protect us from large soft drinks and marijuana and makes us were seat belts in cars with 8 airbags on 25mph roads, I really can't see AAS getting the nod any time soon.

Good point, totally agree with you

[OdinsOtherSon]

IMHO, AAS are illegal for one reason....your benevolent gov "knows what's better for you, than you do."

[Flagg]

Well the obvious one is the association with sports and that it gives an unfair advantage, so it's at least achknowledged that steroids increase performance.

The second reason is the other association that steroids turn people into psychopaths. It's laughable because if you are a huge douche bag, then yes, it will turn you into a bigger douche bag, but not everyone is a douche bag.

Never mind the fact that alcohol also turns douche bags into bigger douche bags, that there is also a correlation with violence, and so forth.

In short, it's Industry.

[MajorPectorial]

Well the obvious one is the association with sports and that it gives an unfair advantage, so it's at least achknowledged that steroids increase performance.

The second reason is the other association that steroids turn people into psychopaths. It's laughable because if you are a huge douche bag, then yes, it will turn you into a bigger douche bag, but not everyone is a douche bag.

Never mind the fact that alcohol also turns douche bags into bigger douche bags, that there is also a correlation with violence, and so forth.

In short, it's Industry.

And the fact that with less judgement on alcohol if ur like that than juice.

If I had to choose between steroids being legalized and so people INFORMED of pct/hcg being it all more widely available and alcohol/cigs.

Well.

Seriously. What actually kills more people. What could kill more ppl. Yeh yeh. Steroids can ruin lives. Um. So can alcohol n cigerettes. U can die from stopping alcohol if ur a severe alcoholic. N cigarettes cause an unimaginable amount of problems.

Gyno would be openly combatted and talked about. I'd legalize it. Regulate it. Make it safe to use n pass the right information on to users instead if gym pushers just wanting to make money regardless of the consequences.

[OdinsOtherSon]

Well the obvious one is the association with sports and that it gives an unfair advantage, so it's at least achknowledged that steroids increase performance.

The second reason is the other association that steroids turn people into psychopaths. It's laughable because if you are a huge douche bag, then yes, it will turn you into a bigger douche bag, but not everyone is a douche bag.

Never mind the fact that alcohol also turns douche bags into bigger douche bags, that there is also a correlation with violence, and so forth.

In short, it's Industry.

I'm sure we've all seen the documentary, "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" by Christopher Bell, but I think you've echoed a lot of what he was bringing to the table in that show. Great points Flagg.

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) - IMDb

[Red Bastard]

So we legalise steroids and increase gyno surgery and trt 10 fold, not to mention numerous other issues that may arise...

This is really a no brainer topic IMO

When substances remain illegal, harm reduction is difficult. Prohibition has never solved the problems associated with the prohibited substance!!

So glad that I live in Canada, the true land of the free!

[MajorPectorial]

When substances remain illegal, harm reduction is difficult. Prohibition has never solved the problems associated with the prohibited substance!!

So glad that I live in Canada, the true land of the free!

Wonder if its worth moving there haha.

[kelkel]

Do you mean because he was famous and said steroids caused his brain tumor? Or are you saying that steroid usage can lead to brain tumors? Steroids are not considered a risk factor for developing a brain tumor bot benign or malignant.

He blamed it on them which his own doctors denied causing it. It did not matter though as it became a media football thus a political football where every politician then wanted their name on a bill showing that they care when they have no real knowledge of the science behind it. All they succeeded in doing was making the black market bigger and more unsafe, IMHO, by taking them out of doctors hands. Bigger-Faster-Stronger as referenced above is a great documentary which sorta sums it up.

And I'm quite familiar with small brain tumors. I happen to own one. I take it with me everywhere I go!

[Metalject]

Two words:

Lyle Alzado

Alzado's definitely a factor but in my opinion he was a face that was used to further what the U.S. government wanted. He wasn't the reason but it gave them, so they thought, a credible figure to use to describe "The Evil of Steroids ." The same can be said of Ben Johnson.

Well the obvious one is the association with sports and that it gives an unfair advantage, so it's at least achknowledged that steroids increase performance.

The second reason is the other association that steroids turn people into psychopaths. It's laughable because if you are a huge douche bag, then yes, it will turn you into a bigger douche bag, but not everyone is a douche bag.

Never mind the fact that alcohol also turns douche bags into bigger douche bags, that there is also a correlation with violence, and so forth.

In short, it's Industry.

In my opinion the use of steroids and sports should not be taken into consideration regarding the overall legality of steroids. These are two separate issues. For example, if the MLB says using bats of a certain weight is against the rules then it's against the rules. This doesn't mean we ban bats of a certain weight.

Further, when we consider less than 15% of all steroid user play a competitive sport this really points to steroids and sports and the legality of steroids being two separate issues.

[Docd187123]

And oh, funny how you can drink and smoke yourself to death and it's completely legal. Doesn't it make you happy that one of the biggest reasons why the cost of healthcare is so high is due to the medical costs associated with the management and or treatment of diseases linked to cigarette, pipe, and chewing tobacco?

You forget alcohol and tobacco industries are BILLION dollar industries with many, MANY high priced, slick talking, well connected lobbyists. The AAS field has no such well placed political connections unfortunately.

[Pittsburgh412]

It seems like to me that almost all the research and studies out there show steroids can be safe if taken properly and at the right age so why not just make them legal and regulate them. Seriously whats so wrong about wanting to take something that makes you bigger,stronger, increases libido,etc etc.

it's all political

[austinite]

Same reason ********is illegal , it's all political

No rec drug talk.

[Pittsburgh412]

No rec drug talk.

Fixed

[stpete]

haha.... I just now started to follow you tonight.

And i see my buddy Austin is watching too.

KEWL.

[Pittsburgh412]

haha.... I just now started to follow you tonight.

And i see my buddy Austin is watching too.

KEWL.

Haha haaaa.

[stpete]

Keep laughing.

[Pittsburgh412]

keep laughing.

sir yes sir !

[gurupimp6969]

You forget alcohol and tobacco industries are BILLION dollar industries with many, MANY high priced, slick talking, well connected lobbyists. The AAS field has no such well placed political connections unfortunately.

^^^^^This, in my opinion is 100% correct.

I honestly believe that big government has no idea of how to regulate the steroid industry. How could the healthcare industry turn a profit? Or how could our politicians make more money?

The U.S. will never legalize steroids because, short term when taken correctly (age, pct, diet, training, etc...) they benefit a persons well being. I think the best shot we have at legalization is through TRT. Similar to another "industry" that has had some success. Even then I'd imagine dosing would be regulated (if it isn't already?)

[Pittsburgh412]

^^^^^This, in my opinion is 100% correct.

I honestly believe that big government has no idea of how to regulate the steroid industry. How could the healthcare industry turn a profit? Or how could our politicians make more money?

The U.S. will never legalize steroids because, short term when taken correctly (age, pct, diet, training, etc...) they benefit a persons well being. I think the best shot we have at legalization is through TRT. Similar to another "industry" that has had some success. Even then I'd imagine dosing would be regulated (if it isn't already?)

Think about it, alcohol and tobacco are worth billions themselves, but then turn around and think about this health problems=Revenue from treating this problems(billions) then if it fails(which it does sometimes) you have funerals casket+Plot = 7,500 (2009 average)

[sixfootseven]

You forget alcohol and tobacco industries are BILLION dollar industries with many, MANY high priced, slick talking, well connected lobbyists. The AAS field has no such well placed political connections unfortunately.

Couldn't agree more.

However there has been a huge amount of anti tobacco media and cigarette sales have declined. I keep trying to figure out which corporate interests are served by a drop in cigarette sales. It would be naive to think its bc they care about people and so don't want them to smoke.

[Pittsburgh412]

Couldn't agree more.

However there has been a huge amount of anti tobacco media and cigarette sales have declined. I keep trying to figure out which corporate interests are served by a drop in cigarette sales. It would be naive to think its bc they care about people and so don't want them to smoke.

The government doesn't give a shit about you, me, or anyone IMO. Asking as they get their checks in the mail it's fine with them

[Docd187123]

^^^^^This, in my opinion is 100% correct.

I honestly believe that big government has no idea of how to regulate the steroid industry. How could the healthcare industry turn a profit? Or how could our politicians make more money?

The U.S. will never legalize steroids because, short term when taken correctly (age, pct, diet, training, etc...) they benefit a persons well being. I think the best shot we have at legalization is through TRT. Similar to another "industry" that has had some success. Even then I'd imagine dosing would be regulated (if it isn't already?)

Yes TRT has guidelines on dosing. Its supposed to be "therapeutic". Just enough to GEt you back into "accepted" ranges.

[Docd187123]

Couldn't agree more.

However there has been a huge amount of anti tobacco media and cigarette sales have declined. I keep trying to figure out which corporate interests are served by a drop in cigarette sales. It would be naive to think its bc they care about people and so don't want them to smoke.

That's probably why the price and taxes on them have gone up. If demand is less and supply stays equal, the only way to keep revenue the same would be to increase price. And you're right, everything has a behind the scenes story. It could be simply that the alcohol industry is funding it bc tobacco sales do cannibalize alcohol sales to a small degree. I have a bunch of other ideas but I'd probably be labeled a conspiracy theorist hahaha

[sixfootseven]

That's probably why the price and taxes on them have gone up. If demand is less and supply stays equal, the only way to keep revenue the same would be to increase price. And you're right, everything has a behind the scenes story. It could be simply that the alcohol industry is funding it bc tobacco sales do cannibalize alcohol sales to a small degree. I have a bunch of other ideas but I'd probably be labeled a conspiracy theorist hahaha

Lol I hear ya, all I could come up w is that pharmaceutical companies lobby for it so they can make money from patches, gum, and medications which people use when they quit.

But I'm sure they could be many reasons

[Metalject]

If they ever do become legalized in the U.S. I don't want them to be heavily regulated. That's what's supposed to be the beautiful thing about America, the ability for people to make their own decisions. Any type of government regulation will only take a bad situation we have with steroids now and trade it for another.

[OverTraineD]

Because they are powerful hormones, when in the wrong hands they can ruin life's.... Isn't it obvious?

Anything that has the potential to be dangerous can ruin lives when placed in the wrong hands. But when placed in the hands of a responsible adult aas can improve ones quality of life.