Is Ben Johnson On Steroids?

TRT Trey

Last Updated August 28, 2022

TRT Trey

 August 28, 2022

Curious…

Is Ben Johnson on steroids?

Then you’ve come to the right place. Inside, you’ll find the official Testosterone.org breakdown of whether or not Ben Johnson has ever used gear before…

Ben Johnson is a Canadian sprinter and one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time. Ben earned the title of “the fastest man in the world” when he won the 100 meter dash in the 1998 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, Ben Johnson lost his gold medal when he tested positive for anabolic steroid use.

Did Ben Johnson really use anabolic steroids to become the fastest man in the world? Or was he a natural athlete who deserved to keep his Olympic gold medal? Let’s find out!

Disclaimer: The contents of Testosterone.org are for informational and educational purposes. We do not provide legal advice. Likewise, we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician prior to consuming any over-the-counter supplements, like a natural testosterone booster, and/or getting a prescription for a pharmaceutical medication. Your access to Testosterone.org is subject to our full disclaimer and terms of use.


Ben Johnson Stats

Age: 60 Years Old
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 lbs
Estimated Body Fat %: About 5 Percent
Nickname: "Big Ben"

What are Steroids?

For most people, steroids are associated with bodybuilders and professional athletes. Steroid abuse is common among athletes and steroids are often looked at negatively. But what are steroids?

Steroids are synthetic versions of naturally found hormones in men and women, e.g., Testosterone. Athletes take anabolic steroids (AAS) to boost muscle growth. This is different from “corticosteroids” which are used by medical professionals to treat diseases and various medical conditions.

Anabolic steroids are illegal in the United States and many other countries. This is especially true when they are taken without a medical prescription. A recent study shows that over 6.4% of all men worldwide might have used steroids at least once in their lifetime [1].

Steroids are often used to boost muscle growth and improve athletic performance. Steroids increase the level of muscle-building hormones in the body, significantly increasing the normal secretion limits of an average healthy male.

These performance-enhancing properties of steroids make them sought out by some professional and recreational athletes.

Numerous studies have shown that steroids are extremely effective at increasing muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance and improving muscle mass [2]. However, research shows that steroids also have dangerous side effects.

Long-term use of steroids can lead to disorders, especially cardiovascular and reproductive system related. [3]. In fact, a study performed in 2021 shows how steroids can adversely affect the brain, liver, urinary system, and muscular system [4].

Anabolic steroids are not inherently bad. They are often used by medical professionals to treat patients with hormone deficiencies, delayed puberty or loss of muscle mass due to certain muscle-wasting diseases. The problem is when individuals use or abuse steroids for non-medical purposes.


Ben Johnson


Signs Of Steroid Use

There are many side effects of long-term steroid use.

Some of these side effects like damage to your liver or cardiovascular system can be hard to identify. However, there are specific signs that you can look for to figure out if someone is using steroids.

Here are some of the most common signs of steroid use [5]:

  • Large Skull / Head
  • Oily / Flushed Skin
  • Bloated / Puffed Out Stomach
  • Extremely Muscular Physique
  • Block-Shaped Physique

Let’s take a closer look at each of these signs.

If someone has a very large skull, then they may be using steroids. Growth hormone and other steroids are known to increase the size of your skull, so this sign is a dead-giveaway.

Another common sign of steroid use is oily / flushed skin. Some drugs like trenbolone will make the skin look yellow / oily, while others like testosterone will make someone’s skin take on a dark, flushed appearance.

Other signs may include hair loss, severe acne, and male breast enhancement.

Long-term anabolic steroid use may also lead to behavioral changes and psychiatric issues. For example, violent behavior, irritability, and aggressive episodes are common signs of steroid abuse.


Is Ben Johnson on Steroids?

Is Ben Johnson really a natural athlete? Or did he use anabolic steroids to get an unfair advantage over his fellow Olympic athletes? Let’s look at the facts before jumping to any conclusions.

The truth is, Ben Johnson doesn’t have any of the obvious signs of long-term steroid use, such as an insanely muscular physique, massive shoulders, or a “growth hormone gut.” Ben’s physique is 100% achievable by a natural athlete with good genetics. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s natural.

Ben Johnson initially denied taking steroids during the Seoul Olympics in 1988. However, he later admitted taking them before a Canadian Government investigation committee in 1989.

So what types of steroids was Ben Johnson using? Ben confessed to using two anabolic steroids, Dianabol and Winstrol, during his career as an Olympic athlete.

In his own words, Ben says:

“Charlie was my coach, and he said to take it. The whole world is using drugs, and the only way I’m going to get better is to take it. At the time I didn’t say yes or no… He said think about it and let me know. I didn’t come up to him and say I want to go on it.”

“I said to myself, ‘why should I do this clean when everybody else is cheating? That’s unfair'”

Interestingly, Ben to using anabolic steroids leading up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics (where he won gold, yet failed the doping test).

“I stopped taking steroids six weeks before the Games.”

Johnson also suggests that his drink in Seoul was tampered with, though this is yet unproven.

So, was Ben Johnson an unlucky guy who just got caught when the whole world of sports has been on steroids for a long time? It’s hard to say.

However, one thing is clear: Ben Johnson used anabolic steroids to get an unfair advantage over his competitors, and it was the right move to strip him of his Olympic gold medals.


Ben Johnson Before And After Steroids

Ben Johnson doesn’t have any of the obvious signs of long-term steroid use. In fact, he looks exactly the same at the beginning of his sprinting career and at the end. He looks like a regular athlete who worked his butt off to compete at the Olympic Games.

Of course, that isn’t the end of the story.

Ben Johnson failed multiple drug tests and was found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs to get an unfair advantage over his competition. This is disappointing, to say the least. Ben Johnson had the genetics and the inner drive to become one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time.

After he was found guilty of doping, he was stripped of his gold medals, and his reputation was in the toilet. This just goes to show that even the best athletes in the world are tempted by illegal drugs that may give them an edge over their competitors.

We’re disappointed, Ben Johnson.


Ben Johnson steroids before and after


Legal Steroid Alternatives?

Ben Johnson is proof that you can build a great physique without anabolic steroids. This is a great message, as steroids are a bad choice for most people. They have many side effects, and can be extremely dangerous when used improperly.

Fortunately, there are many legal steroid alternatives that you can use to speed up your progress in the gym, but without jeopardizing your health.

One of the most popular legal steroid alternatives is called ecdysterone.

Ecdysterone is a natural substance found in spinach, quinoa, and many other plants. Many bodybuilders have started stacking ecdysterone with other products, as new research shows it is incredibly effective at building muscle mass and strength.

One recent study shows that ecdysterone can increase protein synthesis in humans by up to 20%, while another shows that ecdysterone is just as effective as many anabolic steroids, including dianabol [6, 7].

Is this really possible? Can a legal, over-the-counter supplement really give you similar results to anabolic steroids, but without any of the side effects? According to recent studies, the answer is “yes.” Ecdysterone has no known side effects in humans, and unlike steroids, it does not impact your hormone levels.

If you are interested in getting started with ecdysterone, then we strongly recommend the online company Huge Supplements. They have extremely fast shipping, and some of the best customer service in the industry.

Order Ecdysterone from our top-rated USA vendor...


Testosterone Therapy vs. Steroids

Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the safest and most effective ways to optimize your testosterone levels.

Unlike anabolic steroids, which are used without medical guidance, testosterone replacement therapy is performed under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor, so you know you are in good hands.

The goal of testosterone therapy is simple: to raise your total testosterone levels to the high-end of the normal, healthy range. Optimizing your testosterone levels has many benefits, including improved energy levels, enhanced athletic performance, and faster recovery between workouts [8, 9, 10].

One of the easiest ways to get started with testosterone therapy is to use an online TRT provider, like Fountain TRT.

The advantage of an online clinic is you can talk to your doctor from your own home using zoom and other telehealth technologies. As an added bonus, you can have your prescription testosterone medication delivered directly to your home, so you never need to visit an in-person clinic.

Sign up for TRT today with our top-rated USA doctors...


Ben Johnson and Steroids | Verdict

What’s the verdict – does Ben Johnson use steroids?

The answer is yes – Ben Johnson used steroids during the Olympic Games to get an unfair advantage over his competition, and in the end, he paid the price.

Ben Johnson doesn’t have any of the obvious signs of long-term steroid use, such as a square shaped physique, a bloated growth hormone stomach, or overdeveloped traps. However, he did test positive for anabolic steroids on multiple drug tests, and that’s good enough for us.

Rumor has it that Ben Johnson used dianabol and winstrol to improve his athletic performance.

It’s a shame that such a talented athlete decided to cheat by using illegal drugs, but such is life.


References

  1. Sagoe D, Molde H, Andreassen CS, Torsheim T, Pallesen S. The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis. Ann Epidemiol. 2014 May;24(5):383-98. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.01.009. Epub 2014 Jan 30. PMID: 24582699.
  2. Andrews MA, Magee CD, Combest TM, Allard RJ, Douglas KM. Physical Effects of Anabolic-androgenic Steroids in Healthy Exercising Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018 Jul;17(7):232-241. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000500. PMID: 29994823.
  3. Albano GD, Amico F, Cocimano G, et al. Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(1):97. Published 2021 Jan 19. doi:10.3390/healthcare9010097
  4. Andrews MA, Magee CD, Combest TM, Allard RJ, Douglas KM. Physical Effects of Anabolic-androgenic Steroids in Healthy Exercising Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018 Jul;17(7):232-241. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000500. PMID: 29994823.
  5. Gonzalez PN, Kristensen E, Morck DW, Boyd S, Hallgrímsson B. Effects of growth hormone on the ontogenetic allometry of craniofacial bones. Evol Dev. 2013;15(2):133-145. doi:10.1111/ede.12025
  6. Gorelick-Feldman J, Maclean D, Ilic N, Poulev A, Lila MA, Cheng D, Raskin I. Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 May 28;56(10):3532-7. doi: 10.1021/jf073059z. Epub 2008 Apr 30. PMID: 18444661.
  7. Parr MK, Botrè F, Naß A, Hengevoss J, Diel P, Wolber G. Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?. Biol Sport. 2015;32(2):169-173. doi:10.5604/20831862.1144420
  8. Al-Zoubi RM, Yassin AA, Alwani M, Al-Qudimat A, Aboumarzouk OM, Zarour A, Al Ansari A. A systematic review on the latest developments in testosterone therapy: Innovations, advances, and paradigm shifts. Arab J Urol. 2021 Aug 8;19(3):370-375. doi: 10.1080/2090598X.2021.1959260. PMID: 34552788; PMCID: PMC8451690.
  9. Kim SH, Park JJ, Kim KH, Yang HJ, Kim DS, Lee CH, Jeon YS, Shim SR, Kim JH. Efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy for treating metabolic disturbances in late-onset hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2021 Sep;53(9):1733-1746. doi: 10.1007/s11255-021-02876-w. Epub 2021 Jun 5. PMID: 34089171.
  10. Lunenfeld B, Mskhalaya G, Zitzmann M, Corona G, Arver S, Kalinchenko S, Tishova Y, Morgentaler A. Recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of testosterone deficiency in men. Aging Male. 2021 Dec;24(1):119-138. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2021.1962840. PMID: 34396893.
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