Review of Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) by Igor G — 16 Aug 2009

Great documentary. Takes and honest look and makes a mockery of our current views of steroids and body alteration. Apparently performance enhancing drugs is something we learned from the Soviets when they were doping up their Olympic team.

It was a good point made that activities which has no apparent value (other than recreational), but hold a high risk of crippling injury or death, such as skiing, hang gliding, base jumping, etc, are perfectly legal and acceptable, where as much more innocuous things which have hardly any documented risks -- are so vehemently outlawed. This could be applied to all arguments against prohibition of any kind (drugs, prostitution).

The movie really takes down the use of steroids from a taboo cloud, down to the real world where ordinary gym rats and athletes take them as an aid to their rigorous training in an attempt to reach their body's potential. Most people continue to take them because the risk of side effects is so much less than their benefits from take the steroids.

Also looks at how all of our titan role models in Hollywood, such as Stallone, Schwarzeneggar, Hogan, have done massive amounts of steroids at the peak of their careers. And what about coaches and personal trainers? They seem to think its no big deal.

Roid rage? Think reefer madness. A myth propagated by prohibitionists.