'Hormonized Show': influencers use anabolic steroids to become a spectacle on social media

How influencers transformed the use of anabolic steroids into entertainment on social media
Applications of hormones on camera, reports on cycles of use and physical transformations followed by millions of followers. This Sunday's Fantástico (31) showed how the use of anabolic steroids left the backstage of gyms and became entertainment content on social networks.
The growth of this type of content occurs at a time of strong expansion of the hormone market in Brazil. The legal sale of testosterone, one of the substances most used as an anabolic steroid, has increased by more than 700% in the last seven years.
Gabriel Ganley's ex-girlfriend talks about changes in the bodybuilder's body after using anabolic steroids: 'Shocked'
Gabriel Gumley and the exposure of hormone use on social networks
The death of bodybuilder and influencer Gabriel Gumley, aged 22, reignited the debate about the way in which the consumption of these substances has been portrayed on social media. The case is investigated by the São Paulo Civil Police. A preliminary report indicated sudden death caused by a heart problem, but the definitive results of the tests are still awaited.
Before adopting hormones, Gabriel became known as "Bebezinho Natural", a nickname that referred to the fact that he did not use anabolic steroids. The young man gained followers by showing his training routine and physical evolution without resorting to substances. With the increase in popularity, however, he announced that he would start using hormones to accelerate muscle gains.
The change was followed by his followers almost like an event. In videos published on the internet, Gabriel participated in programs aimed at the fitness public, talked about the products he used and even received an anabolic steroid application on camera. The scene was presented in a relaxed tone and celebrated by the participants.
Léo Stronda gives an injection to Gabriel Gangley's arm on video
Reproduction/TV Globo
'Hormonized Show'
The phenomenon goes beyond personal reports. On social media, content emerged in which the use of hormones became part of the entertainment. In one of the videos mentioned in the report, participants compete to see who can convince jurors that they actually use anabolic steroids. Anyone who shows ignorance about the subject becomes the target of jokes and provocations.
In this environment, expressions such as "take juice", "cycle" and "hormonized" have become part of the common vocabulary of thousands of young people who follow fitness content creators. The informal language and humorous tone help to reduce the perception of the risks associated with the use of these substances.
For experts, this process contributes to the normalization of behavior that can have serious health consequences.
"There is no scientific evidence of safe use of this. When you normalize an attitude that is bad for people's health, I was really shocked to see how they treat it among themselves. They have that joking nickname: 'I'm going to drink 'juice'", says doctor Luis Fernando Correia.
In a video on the internet, participants compete for who can convince jurors that they really use anabolic steroids
Reproduction/TV Globo
The search for an audience
Gabriel even told his followers some of the consequences perceived after starting to use hormones. In one of the videos, he stated that he felt aged and recognized that the decision could reduce his life expectancy. Even so, the topic continued to be treated within the logic of monitoring one's own physical transformation.
Even after the repercussions of the influencer's death, friends, athletes and content creators interviewed by the report stated that they do not intend to abandon the use of anabolic steroids. The predominant discourse is that it would be possible to use the substances in a "correct" way to reduce risks.
Experts, however, warn that hormones can cause important cardiovascular changes, including growth of the heart muscle and increased blood viscosity, factors associated with serious complications.
Gabriel simulates injection application on video on the internet
Reproduction/TV Globo
For Gabriel's friends, the case also exposes a bigger problem: the pressure for results and engagement in an environment where bodies each More muscular people tend to get more views.
"I was angry and sad. We have to do something that we normally wouldn't do to achieve something we wanted. Because in the end, it all comes down to the audience", says Ricardo Lobo, bodybuilder and friend of Ganley.
Gabriel Ganley
Reproduction/TV Globo
See the full report in the video below:
Without filter: the death of Gabriel Ganley rekindles the warning about the trivialization of the use of hormones.
GloboPop: click to see the videos from the Fantástico stage
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Source: G1