Unlocking the Science Behind Bodybuilding: A Path to Safer Steroid and Supplement Use

In the ever-evolving world of bodybuilding, a significant transformation has taken place in recent decades. What once relied solely on anecdotal wisdom has now shifted towards a science-based approach. This transformation is reshaping how bodybuilders view and utilize enhancement drugs, with the promise of even greater changes on the horizon.

Gone are the days of pure "broscience," where bodybuilders simply pursued what worked without delving into the underlying reasons. Their bodies were their ultimate evidence, and disputes over training, nutrition, or drug use could often be settled by a simple comparison of physique, leaving the less-developed among them with a cheeky 'bro, do you even lift?'

This era had little room for scientific explanations. It's unsurprising since bodybuilders had been demonstrating the effectiveness of steroids for decades, while some scientists remained skeptical about their muscle-building properties even until the year 2000. But in the grand scheme of things, science was slow to catch up with the bodybuilding community's achievements.

The times have changed, ushering in what we can call the 'Age of Enlightenment' in bodybuilding. Now, it's not just about what works but also understanding why it works. To truly be a part of this community, you need to sprinkle your conversations with scientific terminology and casually reference a few PubMed abstracts. It's no longer sufficient to only show results; you must articulate the underlying science. The term 'broscience' was born during this transition, differentiating it from 'real science.' The 'bro' prefix, once intended to belittle knowledge, now represents a unique blend of experience and scientific understanding.

The days of pure broscience have passed, but it doesn't mean we should dismiss it entirely. If we define broscience as experiential knowledge, it remains an integral part of bodybuilding. Science hasn't explored every facet of bodybuilding practices and might never do so. After all, scientists aren't preoccupied with combining compounds, adjusting insulin and growth hormone doses, adhering to specific training protocols, and meticulously monitoring macronutrients to break through hypertrophy plateaus. Their primary interest in steroids is for therapeutic purposes, not muscle enhancement. Thus, bodybuilding practices can't be entirely science-based due to gaps in scientific knowledge. Some bodybuilders define broscience as a blend of available scientific evidence and personal experimentation, creating a practical template for training, nutrition, supplementation, and performance-enhancing drug use.

Steroid harm reduction is a critical aspect of bodybuilding. It revolves around minimizing the risks associated with drug use rather than discouraging it entirely. Currently, two distinct groups practice steroid harm reduction: professionals, including policymakers, health practitioners, and scientists, approach it from an external standpoint, while the users themselves, drawing from personal experiences, tackle it from within.

The external perspective on steroid harm reduction borrows heavily from harm reduction strategies used for psychoactive drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth. However, these strategies may not fully align with the needs of steroid users, which can create frustration within the community. Inside the community, harm reduction is based on the experiences of users. While few steroid users contract blood-borne viruses due to steroid use, other risks remain prevalent. Ancillary drug use is a common harm reduction strategy, and in the age of enlightenment within bodybuilding, it has become more systematic and evidence-based. Blood markers now play a significant role in guiding these practices, reflecting advancements in harm reduction.

Yet, it's important to acknowledge that there's limited scientific research on effective harm reduction for enhanced doses of steroids. Bodybuilders often rely on their interpretation of existing science and personal experimentation. The quality of these interpretations and experiments can vary greatly. While some experts possess relevant qualifications, others lack formal training but excel in confusing others with scientific jargon.

The truth is, we have much to learn about the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies among enhanced bodybuilders and when they should be applied. As a result, individuals may inadvertently harm themselves while trying to reduce harm.

The path forward involves bridging the gap between these two perspectives on harm reduction. Many enhanced bodybuilders aspire to engage in scientifically informed enhancement drug use. Therefore, scientists need to participate in the ongoing debates within the community. Broscience should be subject to scientific evaluation by external experts to dispel myths and misconceptions. Additionally, the scientific community should recognize that broscience often leads the way, and some of its theories and practices should be tested scientifically.

While making broscience more scientific is crucial, it's equally important to make science more broscientific. Collaboration between both sides is essential. When outsiders solely dictate the direction of steroid harm reduction science, the research may miss the mark by not considering the unique challenges faced by those who use enhancement drugs and their strategies to mitigate harm.

My vision is to merge all the n=1 studies conducted by enhanced bodybuilders into a collective effort to build a body of knowledge that informs harm reduction practices. It may not be as rigorous as a randomized control trial, but it's an ethical alternative to ensure the safety of individuals in our community. The path forward requires the active participation of enhanced bodybuilders, who not only embrace the idea of science-based practice but actively contribute to building the scientific foundation.

In conclusion, the evolution of bodybuilding towards a more science-based approach signifies progress in understanding the mechanisms behind training, nutrition, supplementation, and enhancement drug use. Embracing both the experiential knowledge of broscience and the rigor of scientific evaluation is the key to ensuring the safety and efficacy of bodybuilding practices. Collaboration between scientists and bodybuilders is essential to bridge the gap and create a more comprehensive understanding of steroid harm reduction. The future of bodybuilding lies in the hands of those who can walk the walk and talk the talk, merging broscience with scientific exploration to enhance the well-being of the community.