Swole — without the serious side effects.
For generations, gym rats have turned to illicit steroid use for bigger muscles, despite the numerous side effects and dangerous risks, from roid rage and infertility to, in some cases, death.
But the landscape of muscle-building is being reshaped as a growing number of fitness bros ditch the dangerous steroids and turn to a healthier — and trendier — performance enhancement option.
While many gym bros still use this dangerous shortcut to get ripped, some have started switching or even just pairing them with peptides, according to Jay Campbell, co-founder of BioLongevity Labs.
“The majority of users are still using various anabolic steroids in combination with peptides,” Campbell told The Post. “Some of the [peptides]… will probably in some capacity replace the need for steroids.”
And while steroids are still prevalent, Campbell believes peptides will eventually surpass them as the go-to gym supplement due to the significant benefits they offer.
The latest trend for fitness buffs and biohackers, these injectable compounds hold the promise of enhanced longevity, boosted muscle growth and, of course, weight loss. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are perhaps the most well-known peptides on the market.
Fans are increasingly combining groups of peptides to create “stacks,” taking several different kinds together to amplify their effects.
Campbell believes they’re such a big draw because peptides already exist naturally in our bodies.
“Peptides are naturally occurring and found as signaling molecules in the body,” he said. “So when you take a synthesized form, it’s just aiding your body’s natural cellular system.”
While these short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of protein can also be found in certain foods, the injectable option is often sought out for faster results.
Those in pursuit of the perfect body may turn to CJC-1295, a top choice for maximizing muscle growth by stimulating the release of human growth hormone.
Meanwhile, BPC-157, a popular anti-aging peptide, not only promotes larger muscles but also supports gut lining repair, reduces inflammation and improves recovery from stress or digestive imbalance.
One of the highlights of injecting peptides instead of steroids, according to Campbell?
“The risk of peptides is extremely low,” he said. “Nobody has ever overdosed or died. They’re very mild… and when they’re done correctly, the side effects are very minimal.”
Of course, peptides are not completely without adverse effects, as weight loss medications have some of the most notorious and strangest side effects.
There’s also serious risk involved in buying peptides on the gray market, purchasing online from unregulated sources.
While he did acknowledge the often horrid side effects of GLP-1’s, Campbell, a peptide user himself for more than 20 years, still proclaims the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects of steroid use.
These can include undesired physical changes, including reduced sperm count, a rounded face, acne, prostate enlargement and breast enlargement.
Despite these negative effects, millions of men and even many women still turn to ultra-high doses of these drugs, with some as young as 13 starting up.
But Campbell thinks the tides will turn and those looking to build muscle will switch to peptides in the next few years as more research comes out.
“The GLP peptides will be so advanced in their capabilities,” he said. “So [people] won’t need the dosages of anabolic steroids they would use 20 or 30 years ago, or even up until today.
“The marketplace is going to shift and change as these newer drugs come into the market,” he added.
