title
The truth about steroids | Chris Duffin and Lex Fridman

description
Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Bet29PVPY Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Headspace: https://headspace.com/lex to get free 1 month trial - Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/lex and use code LEX to get $5 off - Sun Basket: https://sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off - Ladder: https://ladderlife.com/lex GUEST BIO: Chris Duffin is a strength athlete, coach, and engineer, setting multiple strength world records including squatting and deadlifting 1000 lbs for multiple reps. PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 SOCIAL: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman - Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/lexfridman - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman

detail
{'title': 'The truth about steroids | Chris Duffin and Lex Fridman', 'heatmap': [{'end': 133.411, 'start': 95.086, 'weight': 0.912}], 'summary': 'Explores the use of steroids and trt in strength training, evolving definitions of performance-enhancing supplements, ethical implications of testosterone use, and the 10% strength increase from steroids, emphasizing the importance of scientific rigor and potential health ramifications.', 'chapters': [{'end': 66.393, 'segs': [{'end': 66.393, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 2.984, 'weight': 0, 'content': [{'end': 14.941, 'text': "So let me ask about a complicated topic that's sometimes a bit controversial, which is steroids and maybe TRT, testosterone replacement therapy.", 'start': 2.984, 'duration': 11.957}, {'end': 18.694, 'text': 'What role does that play in strength training? All right.', 'start': 15.502, 'duration': 3.192}, {'end': 20.275, 'text': "We're going to go there.", 'start': 18.934, 'duration': 1.341}, {'end': 21.215, 'text': "Let's go there.", 'start': 20.295, 'duration': 0.92}, {'end': 25.097, 'text': "Yeah But it's an important discussion to have.", 'start': 21.715, 'duration': 3.382}, {'end': 30.339, 'text': "I think that it's something that I can be more transparent on.", 'start': 26.197, 'duration': 4.142}, {'end': 35.101, 'text': "In my past, I wasn't able to due to the career that I had.", 'start': 31.54, 'duration': 3.561}, {'end': 46.666, 'text': "So just like covering that stuff on a public forum when you're highly looked at being an executive for recruiting and other stuff like.", 'start': 35.241, 'duration': 11.425}, {'end': 51.537, 'text': 'It was an area I had to just kind of pass on right?', 'start': 47.312, 'duration': 4.225}, {'end': 54.34, 'text': "Now I've used steroids.", 'start': 52.197, 'duration': 2.143}, {'end': 58.464, 'text': "I've used them since I was 33.", 'start': 55.301, 'duration': 3.163}, {'end': 63.81, 'text': 'And I basically just use TRT now after my big squat.', 'start': 58.464, 'duration': 5.346}, {'end': 66.393, 'text': 'So for 10 years, I used them.', 'start': 64.01, 'duration': 2.383}], 'summary': 'Speaker discusses past use of steroids and current trt for 10 years.', 'duration': 63.409, 'max_score': 2.984, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go2984.jpg'}], 'start': 2.984, 'title': 'Steroids & strength training', 'summary': 'Discusses the use of steroids and trt in strength training, with the speaker admitting to using them for 10 years, including trt after a big squat.', 'chapters': [{'end': 66.393, 'start': 2.984, 'title': 'Steroids & strength training', 'summary': 'Discusses the use of steroids and trt in strength training, with the speaker admitting to using them for 10 years, including trt after a big squat.', 'duration': 63.409, 'highlights': ['The speaker has used steroids for 10 years, transitioning to TRT after a big squat.', 'The speaker emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding the use of steroids in strength training.', 'The discussion on steroids and TRT is considered important and deserving of transparency.']}], 'duration': 63.409, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go2984.jpg', 'highlights': ['The speaker has used steroids for 10 years, transitioning to TRT after a big squat.', 'The discussion on steroids and TRT is considered important and deserving of transparency.', 'The speaker emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding the use of steroids in strength training.']}, {'end': 267.629, 'segs': [{'end': 103.431, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 68.795, 'weight': 0, 'content': [{'end': 71.597, 'text': "there's some interesting components to this.", 'start': 68.795, 'duration': 2.802}, {'end': 78.36, 'text': 'so one is just the the gray area of what we call performance enhancing supplements.', 'start': 71.597, 'duration': 6.763}, {'end': 92.604, 'text': "so performance was a PDS that the line of what defines a ped is ever shifting, and it's shifting based on society norms, cultural norms,", 'start': 78.36, 'duration': 14.244}, {'end': 95.086, 'text': 'government body agencies, all these sorts of stuff.', 'start': 92.604, 'duration': 2.482}, {'end': 103.431, 'text': "so i'm not making excuses here, so i just want to elaborate before i actually start digging into the details here, because performance enhancing,", 'start': 95.086, 'duration': 8.345}], 'summary': 'The definition of performance enhancing supplements is ever shifting based on societal and cultural norms and government regulations.', 'duration': 34.636, 'max_score': 68.795, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go68795.jpg'}, {'end': 133.411, 'src': 'heatmap', 'start': 95.086, 'weight': 0.912, 'content': [{'end': 103.431, 'text': "so i'm not making excuses here, so i just want to elaborate before i actually start digging into the details here, because performance enhancing,", 'start': 95.086, 'duration': 8.345}, {'end': 110.118, 'text': 'i could take sodium bicarbonate And enhance my ability to perform deadlifts for reps.', 'start': 103.431, 'duration': 6.687}, {'end': 113.482, 'text': 'Guess what? I did that for my Guinness World Record for deadlifts in a minute.', 'start': 110.618, 'duration': 2.864}, {'end': 119.369, 'text': 'Okay People do it for rowing or other, they use high capacity type stuff.', 'start': 113.822, 'duration': 5.547}, {'end': 121.912, 'text': 'It is performance enhancing.', 'start': 120.59, 'duration': 1.322}, {'end': 123.053, 'text': 'It is a chemical.', 'start': 122.232, 'duration': 0.821}, {'end': 125.116, 'text': 'It is baking soda.', 'start': 124.215, 'duration': 0.901}, {'end': 132.171, 'text': "All right? They're not able to make it illegal because everybody eats bread.", 'start': 126.809, 'duration': 5.362}, {'end': 133.411, 'text': 'Well, not everyone.', 'start': 132.771, 'duration': 0.64}], 'summary': 'Using sodium bicarbonate, the speaker achieved a guinness world record for deadlifts in a minute, demonstrating its performance-enhancing effects.', 'duration': 38.325, 'max_score': 95.086, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go95086.jpg'}, {'end': 203.196, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 176.937, 'weight': 1, 'content': [{'end': 180.86, 'text': 'uh, in a lot i actually put one one of my supplements, except for the overseas version.', 'start': 176.937, 'duration': 3.923}, {'end': 193.829, 'text': "um, anyway, the point i'm getting is, no matter what you do at some point, there's, by someone's standards, you are cheating, and because it is,", 'start': 180.86, 'duration': 12.969}, {'end': 196.431, 'text': "you're taking something, that.", 'start': 193.829, 'duration': 2.602}, {'end': 201.514, 'text': 'but you could work around these things with nutritional ways or other ways versus taking a chemical strip.', 'start': 196.431, 'duration': 5.083}, {'end': 203.196, 'text': "and there's whole lots of ways to do this.", 'start': 201.514, 'duration': 1.682}], 'summary': 'Supplements may be considered cheating, but there are alternative nutritional approaches to consider.', 'duration': 26.259, 'max_score': 176.937, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go176937.jpg'}, {'end': 245.573, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 217.851, 'weight': 2, 'content': [{'end': 222.256, 'text': "Then it's a straight ethical thing, and it's either right or wrong, in my opinion.", 'start': 217.851, 'duration': 4.405}, {'end': 224.758, 'text': "That's kind of.", 'start': 223.297, 'duration': 1.461}, {'end': 237.323, 'text': "the overall dilemma of it is if you want to see what you're totally capable of, you have to decide yourself what's okay or not to that level.", 'start': 224.758, 'duration': 12.565}, {'end': 241.805, 'text': 'There is no body that can say something yes or no.', 'start': 238.003, 'duration': 3.802}, {'end': 245.573, 'text': "yeah, when there's an event like the olympics, maybe,", 'start': 242.591, 'duration': 2.982}], 'summary': 'The ethical dilemma in self-determination for achieving full potential is highlighted.', 'duration': 27.722, 'max_score': 217.851, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go217851.jpg'}], 'start': 68.795, 'title': 'Evolving definitions of performance-enhancing supplements', 'summary': 'Discusses the evolving definition of performance-enhancing supplements, influenced by societal norms and cultures, with examples of substances and their varying legality. it also explores the subjective nature of cheating in performance enhancement, ethical dilemmas in personal performance, and the contrast between personal goals and standardized standards.', 'chapters': [{'end': 176.937, 'start': 68.795, 'title': 'Performance enhancing supplements: shifting definitions and cultural norms', 'summary': 'Discusses the evolving definition of performance-enhancing supplements, highlighting societal and cultural influences, while providing examples of substances and their varying legality across different regions.', 'duration': 108.142, 'highlights': ['The definition of performance-enhancing supplements is constantly shifting based on societal and cultural norms, as well as differing regulations across regions, as illustrated by examples such as sodium bicarbonate and caffeine content in energy drinks.']}, {'end': 217.51, 'start': 176.937, 'title': 'Defining cheating in performance enhancement', 'summary': 'Discusses the subjective nature of cheating in performance enhancement, highlighting the challenges of defining cheating and the potential workaround through nutritional and non-chemical methods, emphasizing that the concept of cheating is self-defined unless competing in an organization with testing.', 'duration': 40.573, 'highlights': ['The concept of cheating in performance enhancement is subjective and varies by individual or culture, highlighting the challenges of defining cheating (e.g. use of supplements, nutritional methods, or chemical strips).', 'The discussion emphasizes the potential workaround through nutritional and non-chemical methods to enhance performance, indicating the possibility to address performance enhancement without resorting to chemical strips or other controversial methods.', 'It is highlighted that the concept of cheating is self-defined and subjective unless one is competing in an organization that conducts testing for performance-enhancing substances.']}, {'end': 267.629, 'start': 217.851, 'title': 'Ethical dilemma in personal performance', 'summary': 'Discusses the ethical dilemma of personal performance, emphasizing the individual responsibility to determine acceptable boundaries and the contrast between personal goals and adhering to standardized standards, such as in the context of events like the olympics.', 'duration': 49.778, 'highlights': ['The ethical dilemma of personal performance emphasizes individual responsibility and the contrast between personal goals and standardized standards, such as in the context of events like the Olympics.', "Deciding one's own acceptable boundaries is crucial for achieving maximum performance, regardless of external regulations or standards.", 'In the pursuit of personal performance goals, the determination of what is acceptable or not becomes a crucial factor for individuals.']}], 'duration': 198.834, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go68795.jpg', 'highlights': ['The definition of performance-enhancing supplements is constantly shifting based on societal and cultural norms, as well as differing regulations across regions, as illustrated by examples such as sodium bicarbonate and caffeine content in energy drinks.', 'The concept of cheating in performance enhancement is subjective and varies by individual or culture, highlighting the challenges of defining cheating (e.g. use of supplements, nutritional methods, or chemical strips).', 'The ethical dilemma of personal performance emphasizes individual responsibility and the contrast between personal goals and standardized standards, such as in the context of events like the Olympics.']}, {'end': 1085.463, 'segs': [{'end': 360.122, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 292.278, 'weight': 0, 'content': [{'end': 298.742, 'text': "they're going to anti-aging clinics to look better and they have a prescription for growth hormone and testosterone themselves.", 'start': 292.278, 'duration': 6.464}, {'end': 301.903, 'text': "But in their eyes, it's okay.", 'start': 299.382, 'duration': 2.521}, {'end': 306.386, 'text': 'It is a prescription from their doctor because they have the money to do it.', 'start': 302.423, 'duration': 3.963}, {'end': 310.619, 'text': "So it's legal and it's fine.", 'start': 308.177, 'duration': 2.442}, {'end': 313.242, 'text': "It's interesting.", 'start': 311.34, 'duration': 1.902}, {'end': 321.749, 'text': "in Oregon, anybody and I don't know what other states over the age of 16 can, without parents' permission, by the way,", 'start': 313.242, 'duration': 8.507}, {'end': 326.554, 'text': 'walk into a gender clinic as a female and get a prescription for testosterone.', 'start': 321.749, 'duration': 4.805}, {'end': 337.487, 'text': "But as an athlete, if I've got low testosterone, I'm so low I've got depression I can't have sex with my wife.", 'start': 327.901, 'duration': 9.586}, {'end': 339.609, 'text': "it's affecting my quality of life.", 'start': 337.487, 'duration': 2.122}, {'end': 346.994, 'text': 'I will have to fight tooth and nail to get testosterone just as a prescription, and then I will get kicked out of my organization for competing.', 'start': 339.609, 'duration': 7.385}, {'end': 351.836, 'text': 'Like, so you understand how gray this stuff gets?', 'start': 348.834, 'duration': 3.002}, {'end': 360.122, 'text': "Do you think the stigma on testosterone is the reason we're not having like a healthy conversation about when it's proper? Like,", 'start': 351.876, 'duration': 8.246}], 'summary': 'Some individuals have easy access to growth hormone and testosterone, while others face stigma and barriers to obtaining a prescription.', 'duration': 67.844, 'max_score': 292.278, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go292278.jpg'}, {'end': 440.38, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 398.787, 'weight': 3, 'content': [{'end': 406.311, 'text': "that does take out the fact that steroids will put you in, uh, allow you to put on more mass, so you'll go up a weight class a lot of times.", 'start': 398.787, 'duration': 7.524}, {'end': 413.094, 'text': 'um so, as a whole, you could definitely lift more probably than the 10 over time, right?', 'start': 406.311, 'duration': 6.783}, {'end': 415.936, 'text': 'and then we think about steroids as the ability to just put on muscle.', 'start': 413.094, 'duration': 2.842}, {'end': 424.204, 'text': "And here's where things get a little interesting even with people that use steroids is not understanding the neurological impacts that steroids have.", 'start': 416.876, 'duration': 7.328}, {'end': 429.709, 'text': 'Because you could take some steroids right now and be stronger in 10 minutes.', 'start': 424.804, 'duration': 4.905}, {'end': 440.38, 'text': "That's clearly not done anything from a physiology standpoint to make you stronger, but we have tapped in neurologically to elicit those gains.", 'start': 430.37, 'duration': 10.01}], 'summary': 'Steroids can increase muscle mass, allowing lifters to go up a weight class and potentially lift more over time.', 'duration': 41.593, 'max_score': 398.787, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go398787.jpg'}, {'end': 720.358, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 689.809, 'weight': 5, 'content': [{'end': 696.678, 'text': 'We find that men today have declining testosterone over what has historically been in the past.', 'start': 689.809, 'duration': 6.869}, {'end': 705.569, 'text': 'Right now, I think a 35-year-old testosterone is shown to be about half what it was just 50 years ago.', 'start': 697.138, 'duration': 8.431}, {'end': 709.072, 'text': "I don't know if we could argue the point.", 'start': 707.071, 'duration': 2.001}, {'end': 720.358, 'text': "We don't really have the science to validate any of it, but it could be society as far as the impact that it's having on the mental health for men.", 'start': 709.172, 'duration': 11.186}], 'summary': "Men today have declining testosterone levels, with a 35-year-old's testosterone being about half of what it was 50 years ago, potentially impacting men's mental health.", 'duration': 30.549, 'max_score': 689.809, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go689809.jpg'}, {'end': 900.871, 'src': 'embed', 'start': 872.083, 'weight': 6, 'content': [{'end': 874.504, 'text': "And if you've been on for a while, it definitely is not an option.", 'start': 872.083, 'duration': 2.421}, {'end': 880.81, 'text': "So those are big things that people need to understand, that you're going to have some things in there.", 'start': 875.524, 'duration': 5.286}, {'end': 891.503, 'text': "And even TRT has some potential, especially at higher levels, that it's going to increase the risk for prostate cancer.", 'start': 880.951, 'duration': 10.552}, {'end': 900.871, 'text': "It's going to potentially cause some of the left ventricle of the heart and some potential plaque buildup of some of those key arteries around there.", 'start': 891.683, 'duration': 9.188}], 'summary': 'Long-term trt increases risk of prostate cancer and heart complications.', 'duration': 28.788, 'max_score': 872.083, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go872083.jpg'}], 'start': 267.629, 'title': 'Testosterone use discrepancies and ethical implications', 'summary': "Delves into the disparities in obtaining testosterone prescriptions, examining the contrast between public figures' usage and medical needs, alongside the stigma surrounding testosterone. it also explores the impact on strength, neurological effects, ethical considerations, and the 10% strength increase from steroids, emphasizing the importance of scientific rigor and potential health ramifications.", 'chapters': [{'end': 360.122, 'start': 267.629, 'title': 'Testosterone prescription discrepancies', 'summary': "Discusses the double standards and discrepancies in obtaining testosterone prescriptions, highlighting the contrast between public figures' use of testosterone and the challenges faced by individuals with legitimate medical needs, while also questioning the stigma surrounding testosterone usage.", 'duration': 92.493, 'highlights': ['Public figures have prescriptions for growth hormone and testosterone, despite advocating against drug use, revealing a double standard in obtaining testosterone prescriptions based on financial privilege and societal acceptance.', 'In Oregon, individuals over the age of 16 can obtain a prescription for testosterone without parental permission, while athletes with legitimate medical needs struggle to acquire testosterone prescriptions and face repercussions for its usage in sports.', 'The disparity in obtaining testosterone prescriptions raises questions about societal stigma and the lack of a healthy conversation regarding its proper usage.']}, {'end': 1085.463, 'start': 360.122, 'title': 'Proper uses of testosterone in athletics and daily life', 'summary': 'Discusses the impact of testosterone on strength, neurological effects, ethical considerations, and the decline of testosterone levels in men, highlighting the 10% increase in strength from steroids, the importance of scientific rigor in steroid use, and the potential negative health ramifications of trt and steroids.', 'duration': 725.341, 'highlights': ['Steroids provide about a 10% increase in strength on average, with the potential to lift more over time due to the ability to put on more mass. Statistical data reveals that steroids offer an average 10% increase in strength, with the potential for further strength gains due to increased mass.', 'The neurological impacts of steroids allow for immediate strength gains by tapping into neurological effects, with varying effects based on the type and dose of steroids used. Steroids have neurological impacts that can lead to immediate strength gains, influenced by the type and dose of steroids used.', "The decline of testosterone in men today, with a 35-year-old's testosterone levels shown to be about half of what it was 50 years ago, potentially impacting mental health and quality of life. Men today have significantly lower testosterone levels, potentially affecting mental health and overall quality of life.", 'Steroids and TRT come with potential negative health ramifications, including increased risk for prostate cancer and impact on cardiovascular health, requiring careful consideration and mitigation of risks. Steroids and TRT have potential negative health effects, including increased risk for prostate cancer and impact on cardiovascular health, necessitating careful consideration and risk mitigation.']}], 'duration': 817.834, 'thumbnail': 'https://coursnap.oss-ap-southeast-1.aliyuncs.com/video-capture/kZLbb7yX4Go/pics/kZLbb7yX4Go267629.jpg', 'highlights': ['Public figures have prescriptions for growth hormone and testosterone, despite advocating against drug use, revealing a double standard in obtaining testosterone prescriptions based on financial privilege and societal acceptance.', 'In Oregon, individuals over the age of 16 can obtain a prescription for testosterone without parental permission, while athletes with legitimate medical needs struggle to acquire testosterone prescriptions and face repercussions for its usage in sports.', 'The disparity in obtaining testosterone prescriptions raises questions about societal stigma and the lack of a healthy conversation regarding its proper usage.', 'Steroids provide about a 10% increase in strength on average, with the potential to lift more over time due to the ability to put on more mass.', 'The neurological impacts of steroids allow for immediate strength gains by tapping into neurological effects, with varying effects based on the type and dose of steroids used.', "The decline of testosterone in men today, with a 35-year-old's testosterone levels shown to be about half of what it was 50 years ago, potentially impacting mental health and quality of life.", 'Steroids and TRT come with potential negative health ramifications, including increased risk for prostate cancer and impact on cardiovascular health, requiring careful consideration and mitigation of risks.']}], 'highlights': ['Steroids provide about a 10% increase in strength on average, with the potential to lift more over time due to the ability to put on more mass.', 'The neurological impacts of steroids allow for immediate strength gains by tapping into neurological effects, with varying effects based on the type and dose of steroids used.', "The decline of testosterone in men today, with a 35-year-old's testosterone levels shown to be about half of what it was 50 years ago, potentially impacting mental health and quality of life.", 'The concept of cheating in performance enhancement is subjective and varies by individual or culture, highlighting the challenges of defining cheating (e.g. use of supplements, nutritional methods, or chemical strips).', 'The ethical dilemma of personal performance emphasizes individual responsibility and the contrast between personal goals and standardized standards, such as in the context of events like the Olympics.', 'The disparity in obtaining testosterone prescriptions raises questions about societal stigma and the lack of a healthy conversation regarding its proper usage.', 'In Oregon, individuals over the age of 16 can obtain a prescription for testosterone without parental permission, while athletes with legitimate medical needs struggle to acquire testosterone prescriptions and face repercussions for its usage in sports.', 'Public figures have prescriptions for growth hormone and testosterone, despite advocating against drug use, revealing a double standard in obtaining testosterone prescriptions based on financial privilege and societal acceptance.', 'The discussion on steroids and TRT is considered important and deserving of transparency.', 'The speaker emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding the use of steroids in strength training.', 'The definition of performance-enhancing supplements is constantly shifting based on societal and cultural norms, as well as differing regulations across regions, as illustrated by examples such as sodium bicarbonate and caffeine content in energy drinks.']}