The third most commonly injected illegal drug in Australia is performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs).

Steroids and other PIEDs have long been the 'open' secret behind the muscled superheroes of Hollywood. 

With an increasing number of Australians taking them, experts are warning that these drugs aren't without health risks.

Guest/s

• Dr Timothy Piatkowski, harm reduction researcher at Griffith University
• Dr Scott Griffiths, leads the Physical Appearance Research Team at University of Melbourne

References

• The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis
• National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Change in sociocultural ideal male physique: An examination of past and present action figures
• "They sent it away for testing and it was all bunk": Exploring perspectives on drug checking among steroid consumers in Queensland, Australia