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Over 80% of participants in a indicated that they would change or reduce their use of steroids after being shown the results of the research. Led by from the Griffith Centre for Mental Health and School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University, the trial was undertaken in Queensland, É«ÇéÍøÕ¾, across 2024 – 2025 in collaboration with , the (QuIHN), the (QuIVAA), , and the .

Anonymous users submitted steroids for a composition analysis including for purity. Almost one-quarter of the substances tested contained unexpected steroids, and over half were incorrectly dosed. Two samples that were expected to be oxandralone, sometimes favoured by female users because of its perceived ‘milder’ androgenic side effects, were found to instead contain stanozolol and testosterone. Both drugs can produce more masculine characteristics and stanozolol is a known liver toxin.

"This research has significantly strengthened our harm reduction responses by revealing essential and much-needed insights into the composition of steroid products circulating in É«ÇéÍøÕ¾. Having clear, evidence-based results helps us better support the community with informed advice and services that are precisely tailored to their needs," said Geoff Davey, CEO of .

In É«ÇéÍøÕ¾, steroids are illegal without a prescription and their use comes with an inherent . People who use image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) including steroids are at risk of unregulated toxic supply which can . Due to these risks and criminalisation of unprescribed IPEDs, medical advice from health practitioners is often to simply not use them.

Research has shown that the legality of a substance rarely factors into an IPED user's desire when it comes to attaining their goals. including social media and popular culture have left young men in particular feeling pressured to achieve a muscular physique. Many experience distress if their bodies do not look how they want them to even after extreme exercise, dieting and use of readily available supplements, leading them to risky behaviours such as using IPEDs.

Criminalisation has also had the unintended outcome of pushing users of IPEDs underground and away from medical care.

“Information is key in minimising unintended consequences. Many IPED users assume that steroids bought illegally are identical to ones supplied by doctors – but that’s just not the case,” said Dr Piatkowski.

“We’ve heard from the community that people who use these drugs are concerned about their health. However, criminalisation and stigmatisation have led to these individuals turning to peers, social networks, online forums and drug coaches. These strategies are a form of folk pharmacology or ‘bro science’ and can sometimes lack appropriate oversight from medical professionals.”

The trial demonstrated the feasibility of a steroid checking service and the related, immediate benefits to local IPED users. The researchers undertook interviews with users after they had been shown the trial results and found that access to the data had an impact on their health-making decisions. Users of IPEDs also indicated a need for tailored education on safe use and harm reduction to assist with managing their health.

The trial was rolled out through , Queensland’s first free and confidential drug checking service run through a collaboration between , , and , and funded by . These organisations collectively house thousands of health workers, allowing for enhanced cultural awareness of IPED consumption and harm nationally.

"The steroid testing project has been a world first. We know that people who use steroids have not had their needs met from the mainstream alcohol and other drugs sector. The steroid testing project meant we were able to listen to the needs of people who use steroids and build a service that equips people with practical knowledge, that enhances safety and informed decision-making in the community," said a representative from .

Unregulated IPED products in Queensland mirror other areas of É«ÇéÍøÕ¾, with there being an . Therefore, there is an inferred benefit in normalising safer use discussions and expanding access to information.

Dr Piatkowski is the Vice President of QuIVAA and in January 2025 they launched the  that provides support to people using steroids, offering peer education and resources via . Since its inception the program has engaged with hundreds of É«ÇéÍøÕ¾ns who use steroids, helping to bridge critical gaps in education.

Public dissemination of the research results through , podcasts including Think Big Bodybuilding which has over 30K subscribers, and via national media including , and is also raising public awareness of health risks. The research collaborators also to share drug alerts in relation to drug-checking services and facilitate harm reduction.

“That kind of social media content does provide valuable feedback to the community. Real results based on real samples from the community shows that care and caution need to be taken in using any form of unregulated compound,” one IPED user commented on an Instagram drug alert.

The researchers have matched this work with data collected on how health, risk, and harm reduction information is shared by , , , and . This is building an understanding of how people who use IPEDs are accessing information, the quality of the information and best strategies for communicating with users.

“Ultimately it’s up to the individual whether they take something or not but understanding and strengthening how they are accessing advice on harm reduction at least helps ensure their choices are based on knowledge,” Dr Piatkowski said.

The research is making waves in professional circles, with Dr Piatkowski having received the 2024 Kyp Kypri Early Career Research Award from the (APSAD) and a National Peer Researcher Award and Harm Reduction Program of the Year Award from the (AIVL) Human Rights and Harm Reduction summit 2024.

"The steroid testing trial has set a new benchmark on what can be achieved when peer-led harm reduction initiatives in É«ÇéÍøÕ¾ receive resourcing. By directly engaging with the community and providing transparent, evidence-based results, this initiative supports people to make safer and informed choices, improving the health and wellbeing of people who use steroids," said John Gobeil, CEO of .

Dr Piatkowski has also received an Investigator Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). This grant will facilitate a larger trial of IPEDs and further work with users and the broader community, allowing for an even bigger picture of IPED use and risks and ensure users are as informed as possible towards minimising harm.