Canadian filmmakers Nenad Barjaktarovic and Shane Smith have created a 12-week internet “reality series” documenting the motivations and experiences of first-time steroid user Peter Brown in “Steroids Saved My Life.” Peter Brown is a recent Vancouver Film School graduate from New Brunswick who has embarked on a 12-week anabolic steroid cycle in the online video series literally on steroids.
Anabolic steroid users have prolificly posted online diaries outlining their protocols and results on various bodybuilding forums over the years. Some first time steroid users have also shared their experiences as well with some touting positive outcomes and others reporting disastrous experiences.
The reality series (through its protagonist Peter Brown) effectively distills the basic motivations behind the typical individual who chooses to use anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes. Brown is neither a bodybuilder or an athlete and has no aspirations to become either. The project practically ignores any stigma associated with steroids resulting from societal demonization of androgens. It delves directly into the motivations and the decision-making process that led to his use of steroids.
Peter Brown approaches the decision to use steroids as a simple cost-benefit analysis. Brown commences his steroid cycle with numerous expectations (all positive) regarding the benefits of steroids – as evidenced by the title of the series. He defines the problem (i.e. he’s a skinny nerd that hasn’t been on a date in over a year). He defines his objectives (i.e. gain 40-50lbs to bring about great social confidence). And he identifies the tools to be used to achieve his objective (i.e. anabolic steroids as the shock that will propel him to eat and work out).
The agenda behind the film project is likely commercial in nature and as such numerous comedic and dramatic elements are injected (no pun intended) into various scenes simply to add entertainment value to the production.
If you are looking for a critical scientific examination of the benefits and side effects of steroid use, this is beyond the scope of this “reality series.” While the series does not demonize steroids, it nonetheless reflects many of the things that are wrong with steroid use by the typical steroid user.
Like most steroid users, Peter Brown puts little effort into achieving his objectives of gaining muscle weight without steroids. He does not work out with weights. He does not eat well. He does not consume sufficient calories (only 1300-1400 per day). He relies on steroids to “shock his system” into gaining muscle and motivating him to work out and eat right.
He makes the decision to use steroids based on numerous expectancies regarding the impact steroids will have on various social and psychological aspects of his life. Steroids will give him a more muscular body; a muscular body will give him a better life. It is unclear how much research and planning went into developing an anabolic steroid protocol for achieving his goals.
“Steroids Save My Life” is an engaging film that is appealing to both individuals with pro-steroid and anti-steroid viewpoints. Steroid users are rooting for Brown to succeed in his goals and anti-steroid crusaders are hoping that Brown starts suffering terrible side effects to re-affirm the evils of steroids. Six of the 12 episodes have been posted online, so it is too early to predict what direction the film will take.
But if his results are comparable to the typical user, then his expectations and results will receive at least some validation. Most steroids users make significant progress without any significant side effects; this, in large part, explains the popularity of steroid use and the lack of credibility of anti-steroid education programs that rely on scare tactics to deter steroid use.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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