The Daily News – March 24, 2025

For today’s episode on the Daily News, we’re going to be diving into something a little bit more serious today. And guys, the pressure to get that perfect shredded physique is hitting harder than ever. Social media is flooded with influencers flexing those muscles that look like they’ve been carved out of stone and is creating a dangerous ripple effect. According to CBC news, male body dysmorphia is on the rise, and with it the unregulated use of anabolic steroids. Experts describe muscle dysmorphia as a condition where men constantly see themselves as smaller or less muscular than they really are, no matter how jacked they might actually be. And social media only adds fuel to that fire with its uptick of constant exposure to completely unrealistic body ideals. One researcher told CBC, the pressure on young males around body ideals have increased. They’re seeing people on social media like this is what the male body should look like. Unfortunately, to make matters even worse, some young men are turning to anabolic steroids as a quick fix. Now, these drugs might promise bigger muscles, but they do come with severe risks, and that’s mood swings, organ damage, and in some cases even heart attacks. CBC shared the heartbreaking story of Nick who started using steroids to boost his self-esteem, but struggled with severe mental health issues, ultimately leading to his death at just 33 years old. Now, his parents warn that steroids can have catastrophic impacts robbing people of their ability to cope with life’s day-to-day stresses. And it’s not just physical health on the line here because experts warn that coming off steroids can trigger severe depression and even suicidal thoughts. One addiction specialist told CBC, the drug they’re taking can be every bit as destructive as street drugs like cocaine. So what can we do? Parents, teachers and healthcare professionals need to talk openly with young men about the risks of steroids and the unrealistic body standards flooding their social feeds. One Toronto based personal trainer says this, my teenage clients idolize these influencers and want to be like them Guys, it’s time to rethink what strength really means. Chasing a filtered image of perfection is not worth risking your health. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments, and if you found this helpful, like subscribe and hit the notification bell for more stories that matter. Stay healthy, stay smart, and we’ll catch you on the next one. As always, thank you so much for joining us on the Daily News.