‘Sis Science’ and Fitness Doping: Ethnopharmacology, Gender and Risk

Abstract

This article is part of a larger investigation looking into recent changes in the demographics of fitness doping and the possible consequences of such changes. Contesting the historical alliance between masculinity and fitness doping, the article focuses on women’s narratives and experiences of fitness doping in a male-dominated open online community called Flashback. The article builds upon a qualitative and netnographic approach to the research. Employing the lens of the potential emergence of a woman-based ethnopharmacological culture, this article investigates the ways in which women talk about and rationalise their use of performance and image enhancing drugs (PEIDs), their potency and potential gendered side-effects. The results show that although fitness doping can be largely understood in terms of hegemonic patterns, women have gained ground in the context of online fitness doping, heralding a changing doping demography and a movement towards a ‘sis science’ ethnopharmacology. Although critiqued by men, the context enables women to freely discuss harm reduction, risks and the potential potencies of various drugs, and to share knowledge that is relevant to female biology and discuss their own experiences, an activity that also makes visible the negotiation of new gender positions.

Challenging Hegemony Through Narrative: Centering Women’s Experiences and Establishing a Sis-Science Culture Through a Women-Only Doping Forum

“…More importantly, and in contrast to previous research (Christiansen, 2020;Henning & Andreasson, 2019;Sverkersson et al, 2020), we can see how women are actively creating their own narrative of IPEDs and muscle building (see Felski, 1995). Bracketing out hegemonic notions of masculinity and its cultural connection with muscularity seemingly frees the discussions on IPEDs from revolving around men's views, experiences, desires, and bodies.…”

“…MuscleEmpress, above, also added a layer of complexity in her acknowledgement that though the new forum is to be used by women only, men are still able to read the discussions. In theory, at least, they are freed from men's interference and heteronormative ideas (on what women should do and look like), but their experiences on the forum are still potentially subject to male surveillance (Dworkin & Wachs, 2004;Jespersen, 2013;Sverkersson et al, 2020). This may have implications for how individual women choose to present and legitimate themselves relative to men's silent surveillance and hegemonic gaze (see Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005).…”

Women's Experiences of Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

“…Their distorted body perception made it difficult for them to apprehend how muscular they were. It is not easy to know the limit for side effects and when they will occur, a fear exists of being masculinised (Sverkersson et al, 2020 ). The advantages and disadvantages of AAS regarding masculinisation need to be weighed against each other and evaluated.…”

“…The discussions at the online forums, where women are also present, are usually dominated by men who share their experiences and give advice. Women prefer first-hand experiences from other women (Sverkersson et al, 2020 ) and not advice from men, this makes it more difficult to sort among information (Henning and Andreasson, 2019 ). Online communities only for women are though emerging (Andreasson and Henning, 2021 ), which enables for women to discuss their use of AAS from a female perspective (Sverkersson et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Women prefer first-hand experiences from other women (Sverkersson et al, 2020 ) and not advice from men, this makes it more difficult to sort among information (Henning and Andreasson, 2019 ). Online communities only for women are though emerging (Andreasson and Henning, 2021 ), which enables for women to discuss their use of AAS from a female perspective (Sverkersson et al, 2020 ). There is a need for credible societal information from several perspectives, i.e., not only the negative aspects.…”