Among teenage and young athletes, the uninformed and excessive use of artificial proteins and the hormone testosterone for muscle building has grown noticeably. Doctors warn that this trend carries serious and sometimes irreversible risks to both physical and mental health. They explain that using testosterone for muscle growth, whether for a short time or over many years, can reduce the body’s natural hormone production. As a result, users may face infertility, heart and brain strokes, digestive problems, damage to liver enzymes, and a higher risk of certain cancers. At the same time, constant and excessive consumption of artificial proteins can lead to weight gain, kidney disorders, liver damage, and digestive issues such as indigestion.
In interviews with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, several doctors stress that many adolescents and young people turn to artificial and unnatural substances without proper awareness. They warn that excessive use, whether short-term or continuous, can cause serious harm to both the body and the mind.
Munir Ahmad Karimi, a physician, describes the use of testosterone by teenagers and young people for muscle building as an unhealthy and misguided choice. He believes that artificially consuming this hormone exposes individuals to a range of dangers, including infertility, heart and brain strokes, psychological disorders, and sudden mood changes.
He explains: “Using this hormone in the short or long term can cause serious physical and psychological side effects. The damage often begins with skin problems and then spreads to the digestive system, the heart, and the brain, increasing the risk of heart and brain attacks. When people consume too much, sperm production drops, and the body’s natural testosterone production weakens. In severe cases, this can lead to infertility. There is also a real risk of liver damage, disruption of liver enzymes, and a higher chance of developing certain cancers. For these reasons, using these substances without medical supervision poses a serious threat to health.”
When discussing protein consumption for muscle strengthening and bodybuilding, Karimi notes that protein plays an important role in healthy growth and physical development. He adds that proper hydration is just as important and recommends drinking more than three liters of water per day. Under normal conditions, he says, consuming about one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight does not cause harm. Problems begin when people consume protein in excessive amounts, especially in powdered and artificial forms, or when they obtain it from unregulated sources.
Karimi continues: “Long-term and excessive protein use can damage the kidneys and even lead to kidney stones. It also affects liver enzymes and can harm the liver itself. Other side effects include obesity, indigestion, bloating and gas, diarrhea, and constipation.”
Psychologists, meanwhile, point to deeper social and emotional reasons behind this behavior. They believe that advertising, unrealistic comparisons, the need for validation, the desire to control body growth, and the attraction of quick rewards all push young people toward excessive use of proteins or hormones.
Sewita Habibi, a psychologist, explains: “During adolescence and early adulthood, identity and self-worth often remain fragile and incomplete. Building muscles gives young people a feeling of value and recognition. That is why we see increased use of these substances today. Constant comparison with others, especially with images and role models from social media, creates pressure. When young people imitate those images or measure themselves against them, their anxiety grows as they chase an unrealistic ideal.”
She adds, “A psychological condition known as body dysmorphic disorder can also play a role. In this state, individuals develop an obsession with their muscles and constantly see themselves as too small or inadequate. This perception pushes them toward these substances. Another factor is the sense of control, since this behavior creates a false feeling of power over the body. The desire for immediate reward also strongly influences these choices.”
In recent years, interest in bodybuilding and muscle-building sports among teenagers and young people has increased sharply. Because of limited awareness, heavy social media advertising, constant comparison with others, and the desire to achieve the same idealized images, many turn to excessive use of powdered proteins or hormones. This trend threatens not only their physical health but also their mental balance and sense of identity.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
مصرف بیرویه پروتئین در بدنسازی؛ تهدیدی جدی برای سلامت جوانان
