Steroid discussion on NPR
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Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/19/2004 12:27:41 PM
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Powerhaus
Posts: 1474
Joined: 12/17/2003
From: Oakland, CA
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Normally I find NPR's call in shows annoying, but yesterday they had a discussion of steroids, in light of our Commander-in-Cheif's State of the Union Address, and the Attorey General personally announcing the indictments in the BALCO scandal.
One of the best things about it was they had true experts pointing out that the whole steroid issue is composed of seperate points:
1) Health - The health risks of steroids are real, but dose-dependant. For many many men on steroid therapy, the risks are minimal. However, horror stories from guys taking 10x the dose a doctor would give abound and cloud the issue. There's a HUGE difference between male-hormone replacement therapy, and totally juicing up for bodybuilding. As for mental health, the psychological response to added testosterone is highly variable, it seems to reenforce existing personality traits, as in, someone who's aggressive will get more aggressive, whereas someone who channels their energy into work will get more motivated. So if your boyfriend's an asshole, DON'T let him take steroids 
2) Cheating - Competative athletes who take steroids are cheating. Even if steroids were totally risk-free and legal, this would still be a bad thing. Also, many pro athletes are pressured to "do whatever it takes to win", basically workplace doping, making you take drugs if you want to do product endorsements instead of waiting tables. I'm not making this up, one of the callers was a former pro bike racer who was under this exact pressue and eventually quit rather than take the drugs and is now waiting tables.
3) Misinformation - Young men (in particular) hear all these stories about how your vital organs will explode if you take steroids, then they see all these people around them taking steroids, and no one is dropping dead. This doesn't give the anti-steroid lobby a lot of credibility.
4) Quality of Life - Added testosterone improves the quality of life for most men, especially those over 30. Many men would be willing to accept the risks in order to have the additional energy, strength, and libido that steroids provide.
Until recently, the DEA and police departments didn't put illegal steroid use very high on their priority list, but now that Bush and Ashcroft have named steroids at public enemy number one (or maybe number two after gay marriage) there's already more steroid-related arrests.
The discussion about steroids has been more ideological than, well, logical. All of the above issues get lumped togeather into one big ball of wax, and people who are for or against steroids will defend or attack the whole mess, instead of actually talking about the issues seperately.
Also, the show discussed the shift to "Cosmetic Phamacology", with things like Viagra and clinics that offer steroids and human growth hormone to mostly wealthy, middle-aged clients. Testosterone therapy was available in the 1960's, but at the time helping older men feel younger and helping women improve their libidos were considered unacceptable to doctors. That has changed, and in a BIG way, because of MONEY. (What else?)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/19/2004 12:41:13 PM
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djduhon
Posts: 304
Joined: 11/19/2003
From: Louisiana, originally
Status: offline
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Great post.
On a separate issue (but related) I think all of this hype is going to lead to the banning of prohormone use. So if you want them you better get them quick, i predict they will soon fall to the wasteside as fast as you saw ephedra go.
D
(in reply to Powerhaus)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/19/2004 3:05:42 PM
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Powerhaus
Posts: 1474
Joined: 12/17/2003
From: Oakland, CA
Status: offline
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Yeah, prohormones are probably going to get sucked into the great vortex too...although I have noticed that the supplement companies have been predicting the imminent banning of prohormones for YEARS, because nothing gets people buying like a deadline!
In MY opinion, the steroid flap is just another way to draw attention away from the economy and our boys getting blownup in Iraq.
(in reply to Marc David)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/20/2004 2:29:15 PM
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djduhon
Posts: 304
Joined: 11/19/2003
From: Louisiana, originally
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quote:
In MY opinion, the steroid flap is just another way to draw attention away from the economy and our boys getting blownup in Iraq.
LOL, I'll leave that alone.
There has been a definitive surge as of late on the ban. Don't know if it'll happen this year but I think it's coming within a year. Just another prediction from the distorted little mans mind predicting the (should I? Ahh, might as well) left's controlistic mindset (that's gonna bring on a political onslaught).
D
(in reply to Powerhaus)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/20/2004 3:24:01 PM
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Powerhaus
Posts: 1474
Joined: 12/17/2003
From: Oakland, CA
Status: offline
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When the left's "controlling mindset" meets the right's need for a distraction...
(in reply to djduhon)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/20/2004 4:55:22 PM
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WDNinABQ
Posts: 752
Joined: 8/10/2003
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quote:
When the left's "controlling mindset" meets the right's need for a distraction...
That's how consensus is built...
_____________________________
-30-
In six months, what will your t-shirt say?
My training journal: Sweating with the toadies
My scattered thoughts: The Bramble
(in reply to Powerhaus)
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RE: Steroid discussion on NPR - 2/21/2004 5:58:17 AM
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djduhon
Posts: 304
Joined: 11/19/2003
From: Louisiana, originally
Status: offline
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Why do you find NPR annoying Power?
(in reply to WDNinABQ)
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