Tainted awards, disgraced careers-those are the cautionary tales of sports icons like Marion Jones and Barry Bonds, both ensnared in separate performance-enhancing drug scandals. But while we pause on these infamous narratives, there’s been a dangerous trend bustling under the radar. On today's digital frontier, social media personalities are blithely promoting the illicit use of performance enhancers, and most concerning are, anabolic steroids.

David Rau and Caroline Mathias – raised on a diet of likes and shares-regularly share TikToks celebrating their 'achievements' attributable to the controversial drug. They vie for followers’ admiration but conveniently gloss over the profound health risks associated with the misuse of anabolic steroids.

Now, what are these infamous anabolic steroids? To put simply, these human-made hormones aim to mimic testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. People, especially those involved in high-performance activities or bodybuilding, misuse these steroids to beef up their muscle mass and performance metrics.

Commonly known anabolic steroids include testosterone, danazol, mesterolone, and nandrolone phenpropionate, among others. These have been in use for enhancing aesthetics and performance since the 1950s. Nevertheless, these steroids are now classified as illegal substances by most sporting organizations and health bodies, given the substantial health risks they pose.

In the medical realm, anabolic steroids have a legitimate place. They can be administered under medical supervision for conditions like testosterone deficiency, delayed puberty, low red blood cell count, and AIDS-related tissue wasting, to name a few.

Yet, when these steroids are irresponsibly misused -- largely for bodybuilding or performance enhancement -- they become not just unlawful but also highly dangerous. This risk intensifies as the drugs are typically consumed in doses significantly higher than what would be medically recommended.

It's essential not to mix up anabolic steroids with corticosteroids, such as prednisone and cortisone, which are potent anti-inflammatory drugs with a very different use and side effect profile.

So, if you’re dazed by all the hype and inclined to jump on the 'steroid bandwagon', take a moment to educate yourself on the serious health risks associated.

Firstly, steroid abuse can significantly impact your heart and liver health. According to multiple studies, they can amp up cholesterol levels, potentially leading to strokes, heart attacks, or coronary artery disease. High doses of steroids also pose risk for liver damage and tumour development.

Young people dabbling in these drugs risk undermining their adult height as illegal steroid use can cause premature bone maturation, leading to stunted growth.

Emotional and behavioral changes, known colloquially as 'roid rage', involve severe mood swings, aggression, depression, or suicidal tendencies which can stem from prolonged steroid abuse.

The physical side effects also can be jarring. For men, anabolic steroids can lead to baldness, breast growth, and shrunken testicles. In contrast, women may develop a deeper voice, more body hair, male pattern baldness, menstrual cycle changes, and elongated clitoris. Some of these changes can be permanent.

Steroids can also damage a man's fertility since the added testosterone interferes with the normal functioning of reproductive hormones. Moreover, steroid-induced acne can be disfiguring and is a common issue in steroid abusers.

While men may reverse many of these side effects upon cessation, dependency on these drugs is a frequent outcome with over 50% of users becoming addicted.

In conclusion, while the social media limelight may glamorize the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, let’s not forget the tremendous toll they exact on our health and legal standing. Remember, when it comes to health and fitness, there are no shortcuts. Consistency, patience, and commitment always take the gold.