Bigger Stronger Faster

I got to watch the documentary "Bigger Stronger Faster" last night; a film taking a look into the world of steroids. Similar to the style of "Supersize Me", the film interviews a number of people from doctors, to users; getting aspects and arguments from both sides. Here is a synopsis of the film.

The documentary examines the steroid use of the director Christopher Bell and his two brothers who all grew up idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan, and Sylvester Stallone, and also features professional athletes, medical experts, fitness center members, and US Congressman talking about the issue of anabolic steroids. Beyond the basic issue of anabolic steroid use, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* examines the lack of consistency in how America views drugs, cheating, and the lengths people go to achieve success.This includes looking beyond the steroid issue to such topics as Tiger Woods laser eye correction to 20/15 vision, professional musicians use of anxiety reducing drugs, or athletes' dependence on cortisone shots, which are a legal steroid.The film also takes a skeptical examination on claims to the health risks of steroids and is highly critical of the legal health supplement industry.

The documentary makes you think about all of the arguments you can hear against the use of steroids. I myself would not take steroids but I think the bias against the use of steroids is ridiculous. I believe that if someone wants to spend the money to supplement with steroids then they should have that opportunity without everyone looking down upon them and banning them from every sport possible. People say it is unfair but I feel that there are many other things that are unfair that are not considered cheating. Many people have the money to get a top of the line trainer at a top of a top of the line facility. That is an advantage that some people cannot afford and don't have the access to. Yet this is not considered cheating by any means. Yes, you can say that steroids have negative side effects that can hurt a person however, as the movie explains, almost everything has side effects. One of my favorite quotes from the movie came while this topic was discussed. Talking about the effects that peanuts can have on certain individuals where death has occurred a man said, "People can die from eating peanuts so does that mean we ban peanuts and sue God for making them?"

Everyone is going to have an opinion so arguing about it is worthless, I just don't think there should be so much negative spotlight on steroids when there are so many other things that are worse. The documentary makes people who are against steroids look like idiots, which made smile. They just had no data to back up their arguments even though they were so quick to blame steroids on every problem.

Whether you are against steroids, for steroids, or not really on either side I suggest you check this film out. It is very well put together and makes a lot of valid points, not just on steroids, but on the American Society as well.