Synthol, anabolic steroids, bigorexia and body dysmorphia
DESCRIPTION:
Synthol, anabolic steroids and bigorexia: Learn more about the dark side of muscle building. Muscle dysmorphia, muscle addiction and related disorders are explained in detail.
Synthol, anabolic steroids, bigorexia and body dysmorphia: the dark side of muscle building
Introduction
Every day, thousands of people around the world inject themselves with dangerous substances to look bigger and more muscular – but what they risk in doing so could cost them their lives. In a society flooded with images of perfect bodies on social media, more and more people are developing a distorted perception of their own bodies. The combination of synthol abuse, anabolic steroid addiction and mental disorders such as bigorexia and body dysmorphia forms a dangerous vicious circle that threatens not only physical health but also mental well-being.
This issue is more relevant than ever, especially at a time when social media reinforces unrealistic beauty ideals and the pressure to look "perfect" is constantly increasing.
What it's all about:
• What are synthol, anabolic steroids, bigorexia and body dysmorphia?
• What warning signs indicate these dangerous patterns?
• How are these problems related?
• What can those affected and their families do?
What are synthol, anabolic steroids, bigorexia and body dysmorphia?
Synthol is a site enhancement oil (SEO) – an oily substance that is injected directly into muscles to create volume artificially. Unlike real muscle mass, synthol remains permanently in the tissue and can lead to serious complications. The substance consists mainly of oil, lidocaine and alcohol.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic variants of the male hormone testosterone. They promote muscle growth and regeneration, but have massive side effects – from liver damage to psychological problems. Abuse of these substances can lead to lifelong addiction.
Bigorexia, also known as muscle addiction or reverse anorexia, is a mental disorder in which sufferers feel too weak or too small despite having above-average muscle mass. This distortion of perception drives them to extreme training and nutrition plans – and often to substance abuse.
Body dysmorphia is a mental illness in which people have a distorted perception of their bodies. They obsessively fixate on perceived flaws that others do not even notice and take extreme measures to correct these "problems".
These four problem areas reinforce each other and create a dangerous cycle of physical self-harm and psychological suffering. Studies show that about 10% of all bodybuilders show signs of bigorexia – an alarming figure that underscores the urgency of this issue.
Now that we understand the basics, let's look at the specific warning signs that indicate these dangerous patterns.
Recognising the five critical warning signs
Warning sign 1: Synthol abuse – when muscles become addicted
Synthol abuse often starts innocently. Many users think they can "just help themselves out once" or even out minor imperfections. But the reality is different. Those affected regularly inject this oily substance into their arms, chest or shoulders to artificially create volume.
Typical signs of synthol abuse:
• Unnaturally inflated muscles that do not match the rest of the body's musculature
• Asymmetrical muscle distribution despite regular training
• Hardening or knots in certain muscle groups
• Reduced mobility in affected areas
• Visible injection sites or scars
Why this is so dangerous: Synthol does not dissolve on its own. It remains in the tissue for years and can lead to infections, abscesses, nerve damage and even amputations. In severe cases, there is a risk of sepsis – a life-threatening blood poisoning. In addition, muscles treated with synthol look unnatural, which has the opposite effect of the desired aesthetic goal.
The transition from occasional use to regular use often happens gradually, which brings us to the next critical warning sign.
Warning sign 2: Anabolic steroid addiction – the vicious circle of performance enhancement
Anabolic steroid abuse often develops from the desire for faster results. What starts as a "short course" quickly becomes a permanent solution. Those affected can no longer train without the substances or feel weak and depressed.
Signs of anabolic steroid dependence:
• Extreme mood swings ("roid rage")
• Rapid muscle growth in unrealistic periods of time
• Acne, especially on the back and shoulders
• Changes in voice (permanent in women)
• Hair loss despite young age
• Sleep problems and increased aggression
Why this is so important: Anabolic steroid abuse leads to irreversible damage to health. The liver is damaged, the cardiovascular system is overloaded, and natural hormone production can be permanently disrupted. Psychologically, many users develop an absolute dependency – they can no longer imagine life without steroids.
Anabolic steroids often exacerbate existing psychological problems, which leads us to the subsequent dangerous development.
Warning sign 3: Bigorexia symptoms – never big enough
Bigorexia is particularly insidious because those affected are often objectively very muscular, but still perceive themselves as weak and small. This distortion of perception drives them to increasingly draconian measures.
Typical signs of bigorexia:
• Constant dissatisfaction with one's own muscle mass
• Excessive training (often several hours a day)
• Extreme diets and supplement consumption
• Avoiding situations where the body is visible
• Constant comparison with other athletes
• Panic attacks when skipping training sessions
Why this is so crucial: Bigorexia leads to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction. No matter how much muscle mass is built up, it is never enough. This psychological strain often drives those affected to substance abuse and social isolation. Self-esteem becomes completely linked to physical appearance.
This distorted self-perception is closely linked to our next warning sign, which exacerbates the problem.
Warning sign 4: Signs of body dysmorphia – When the mirror lies
Body dysmorphia goes beyond normal dissatisfaction with one's own appearance. Those affected develop an obsessive fixation on perceived physical flaws that are objectively minor or non-existent.
Characteristic features of body dysmorphia:
• Spending hours looking at one's own reflection in the mirror
• Obsessive thoughts about certain parts of the body
• Repeatedly measuring body measurements
• Excessive use of photo filters on social media
• Constantly seeking validation about one's appearance
• Avoiding mirrors or reflective surfaces
Why this is so problematic: Body dysmorphia distorts reality to such an extent that rational arguments no longer help. Those affected see problems that do not exist and make extreme decisions based on this false perception. Their fixation on their appearance dominates their entire lives and can lead to depression, anxiety disorders and self-harming behaviour.
This psychological strain often leads to social withdrawal, our final and perhaps most dangerous warning sign.
Warning sign 5: Social withdrawal – when isolation becomes dangerous
Social withdrawal is often the final stage of this problem. Those affected isolate themselves to hide their insecurities or conceal their substance abuse.
Signs of problematic social withdrawal:
• Cancelling social events due to physical insecurities
• Avoiding swimming pools, beaches or other places where skin is exposed
• Secretly exercising at unusual times
• Lying about exercise habits or supplement consumption
• Loss of friendships due to obsessive body fixation
• Making excuses to avoid physical activities with others
Why is this so critical? Isolation exacerbates all other problems. Without social contact, there is no realistic perspective on one's own appearance. The spiral of negative thoughts spins faster and faster, and professional help becomes more difficult to access. At the same time, the risk of depression and even suicidal thoughts increases significantly.
These findings lead us to important conclusions about how to deal with this complex issue.
Conclusion: The way out of the vicious circle
The connection between synthol abuse, anabolic steroid dependence, bigorexia and body dysmorphia paints a complex picture of psychological and physical self-harm. These problems reinforce each other and create a vicious circle that is difficult to break without professional help.
Key findings:
• Early detection saves lives — the sooner the warning signs are recognised, the better the chances of recovery.
• Professional help is essential — self-therapy is not enough for these severe disorders.
• Holistic treatment is necessary — both physical and psychological aspects must be treated.
• Social support speeds up recovery — family and friends play a crucial role.
The first step towards recovery is recognising that there is a problem. Anyone who recognises themselves in the warning signs described above should not hesitate to seek professional help. Psychologists, psychiatrists and specialist therapists can help identify the underlying causes and develop healthy coping strategies.
For relatives, the following applies: accusations and criticism usually make the situation worse. Instead, you should show understanding, offer professional help and support the development of realistic body images.
Recovery from these disorders is possible, but it requires time, patience and the right therapeutic approaches. With the proper support, those affected can learn to build a healthy relationship with their bodies and lead fulfilling lives – without dangerous substances or obsessive thoughts about their appearance.
Remember: true strength is not shown in artificially inflated muscles, but in the courage to seek help when it is needed.