A lot of boxers have everyday excuses for when they test positive for PEDs.
Cough medicine, wild boar, Mexican steaks, eggs, milkshakes etc etc.
So with that in mind, if the general population was drug tested, how many of us would fail over some mundane reason?
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 12:49
by Boxerbeetle
Very few, I imagine. Boxers must just be very unlucky when it comes to cross-contamination!
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 13:01
by magnus
Yeah, strange how there is always another reason, with a few notable exceptions (Big Baby, Big Bad James) due to overwhelming evidence
Feels like we're one failed test away from someone's Mum taking the blame for PEDs,
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:28
by SeanBrennan
In terms of PEDs you’d be surprised by how casually it is used in gyms. So many people from late teens to 50s using it who you would not even think use it. Testosterone usage is rife in all its guises. And then there are all the SARMs and peptides people use - despite none of them approved for human consumption. Then add in all the ‘social’ drugs and it’s a heady cocktail. No idea on percentages but there is a quiet epidemic of usage of people using them. Quite scary really. Especially when you consider they are all harmful unless used for real prescribed reasons.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:30
by joshj909
I'd imagine over a third of the UK would fail a PED test because of something they're taking: recreational drugs, prescription products or perhaps some gym supplements which have a bit extra. However, the general population doesn't have to avoid recreational drugs, steroid creams, beta blockers, inhalers etc. because they aren't drug tested.
However, barely any would fail from cross contamination or anything like that. It's intentional 99.99% of the time.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:30
by SeanBrennan
magnus wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 13:01
Yeah, strange how there is always another reason, with a few notable exceptions (Big Baby, Big Bad James) due to overwhelming evidence
Feels like we're one failed test away from someone's Mum taking the blame for PEDs,
Give it time Conor has that one ready!
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:31
by SeanBrennan
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:30
I'd imagine over a third of the UK would fail a PED test because of something they're taking: recreational drugs, prescription products or perhaps some gym supplements which have a bit extra. However, the general population doesn't have to avoid recreational drugs, steroid creams, beta blockers, inhalers etc. because they aren't drug tested.
However, barely any would fail from cross contamination or anything like that. It's intentional 99.99% of the time.
Agreed. Factor in even in Ingle’s gym, a man who competed in natural bodybuilding and he’s had multiple people fail tests.
Although that shows you how well testing in natural
Bodybuilding is….
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:38
by joshj909
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:45
by gilgamesh
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:38
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
And Russian athletes are on everything they can get away with about 90% of the time
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 14:53
by SeanBrennan
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:38
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
Thanks this is really interesting Josh. I’d be interested to know if there are stats on how many gym users use steroids. I guesstimate it to be quite high but that’s based only on my possibly myopic observations and experiences.
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:38
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
Thanks this is really interesting Josh. I’d be interested to know if there are stats on how many gym users use steroids. I guesstimate it to be quite high but that’s based only on my possibly myopic observations and experiences.
Based on the total number of people with a gym membership and the number of those using steroids (I assume they have a gym membership), between 3-8% of UK gym members have uses steroids apparently. It's going to massively fluctuate depending on the gym.
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:38
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
Thanks this is really interesting Josh. I’d be interested to know if there are stats on how many gym users use steroids. I guesstimate it to be quite high but that’s based only on my possibly myopic observations and experiences.
Based on the total number of people with a gym membership and the number of those using steroids (I assume they have a gym membership), between 3-8% of UK gym members have uses steroids apparently. It's going to massively fluctuate depending on the gym.
Thanks Josh really appreciate the statistical context
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 15:51
by Taansend
I can pop across the border & buy all sorts of stuff at Mexican Pharmacies
A lot of people go to get HRV growth pills (or something like that).
Funnily enough, something I take everyday - Creatine - is a little cheaper in the US than Mexico.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 07 Aug 2026, 15:53
by SeanBrennan
Taansend wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 15:51
I can pop across the border & buy all sorts of stuff at Mexican Pharmacies
A lot of people go to get HRV growth pills (or something like that).
Funnily enough, something I take everyday - Creatine - is a little cheaper in the US than Mexico.
How do you fine creatine? I always found it to be shit amino that adds water weight temporarily.
Taansend wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 15:51
I can pop across the border & buy all sorts of stuff at Mexican Pharmacies
A lot of people go to get HRV growth pills (or something like that).
Funnily enough, something I take everyday - Creatine - is a little cheaper in the US than Mexico.
How do you fine creatine? I always found it to be shit amino that adds water weight temporarily.
I've been taking creatine monohydrate for years in smaller doses than before. no bloat, stomach issues, cramps like before either when i was probably using too much and not enough water. I've read it's good for the brain so I feel less like a drug cheat using it. I've never used roids etc so can't compare but I feel like it helps
Taansend wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 15:51
I can pop across the border & buy all sorts of stuff at Mexican Pharmacies
A lot of people go to get HRV growth pills (or something like that).
Funnily enough, something I take everyday - Creatine - is a little cheaper in the US than Mexico.
How do you fine creatine? I always found it to be shit amino that adds water weight temporarily.
I've been taking creatine monohydrate for years in smaller doses than before. no bloat, stomach issues, cramps like before either when i was probably using too much and not enough water. I've read it's good for the brain so I feel less like a drug cheat using it. I've never used roids etc so can't compare but I feel like it helps
I used stupid amounts of creatine too so probably my being an imbecile.
joshj909 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2026, 14:38
According to some quick googling:
- 8.6% of the UK are on beta blockers (some of these are banned in some sports)
- 8% of the UK have Asthma (Inhalers banned in many sports)
- 10% of the UK take recreational drugs (Banned in most sports)
- 17% of the UK are prescribed corticosteroids including creams annually (often banned but I think it depends on the corticosteroid)
- 30% of people use Cold and flu meds (certain medication is banned in larger amounts)
- 50% of UK adults have used decongestant sprays in their life (often banned).
- 5% of the UK uses fat burning pills (many are banned).
- 1-2% of the UK use steroids as a gym supplement.
Thanks this is really interesting Josh. I’d be interested to know if there are stats on how many gym users use steroids. I guesstimate it to be quite high but that’s based only on my possibly myopic observations and experiences.
Based on the total number of people with a gym membership and the number of those using steroids (I assume they have a gym membership), between 3-8% of UK gym members have uses steroids apparently. It's going to massively fluctuate depending on the gym.
Thanks Josh and very likely too. It’s the younger kids using it that worries me, they’re barely 20 and I try to explain they are already on gear naturally in their gonads! Don’t suppress that needlessly.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 08 Aug 2026, 14:05
by SeanBrennan
When anyone asks me the one thing that naturally elevates their testosterone levels I always answer good sleep.
Re: PED Question
Posted: 08 Aug 2026, 18:49
by joshj909
SeanBrennan wrote: ↑08 Aug 2026, 14:05
When anyone asks me the one thing that naturally elevates their testosterone levels I always answer good sleep.
Sleep, eating fruit and veg, and being active will do enough for 90% of people. People want a short cut with money which is the problem
