Unregulated Peptides and Male Eating Disorders

Topic: Eating Disorders

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 5:36 am

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 8:08 am

Alex Boutin's sister says he used steroids for over 10 years.

Young Australian men are using unregulated peptides for a perfect body, unaware of the harm to their health.

Alex Boutin was a healthy young Australian who became addicted to steroids and peptides.

He died of a heart attack at 33.

Police found bodybuilding drugs in his home, including some to restore testosterone.

All the steroids and peptides he used were recommended by non-medical people.

Alex met other users at the gym who used steroids.

A dietician says unregulated peptides in gym communities are a concerning trend.

The frequent use of steroids and peptides is an example of a potential eating disorder.

It's a scary thing that more people are experiencing this.

Eating disorder dietician Alex Rodrigues says rates of eating disorders are rising among young men.

Mel Wilton says the rise of unregulated peptide use is concerning.

These substances are targeted at vulnerable people, including young men.

If you or someone you know needs help:

Many substances provide a quick fix, but they are unrealistic and dangerous.

Young men taking these peptides are often unaware of the harm they can cause.

A survey found 84% of boys aged 12 to 18 want to be more muscular.

About 365,000 men in Australia are living with an eating disorder.

Do you know more?

Influenced at the gym

Isabella Boutin's brother was using steroids for over 10 years, influenced by the gym environment.

At the gym, he met older guys who offered him steroids to bulk up.

Isabella Boutin is urging young people to get their heart and blood checked.

Over 16 years, she saw her brother spiral into aggression, anxiety, and addiction.

He was on these drugs for over a decade.

The injectable drugs are not approved for use in Australia but are advertised on social media.

Mr. Boutin died on October 16, 2024, after a heart attack.

He was out with friends, then collapsed at home.

The post-mortem examination listed his cause of death as myocarditis.

Almost two years after his death, Ms. Boutin remembers her brother's childhood.

Alex Boutin died at 33 after taking steroids and peptides.

Ms. Boutin believes her brother's first trip to the gym sparked a journey of self-optimization.

Alex was a sweet boy, very vulnerable, and didn't have much self-confidence.

He started going to the gym at 17 to bulk up.

He had been dumped by a girlfriend who said he was small and skinny.

Isabella said Alex was very vulnerable.

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in our bodies.

Unregulated peptides promise radical physical transformations but are illegal in Australia.

Like steroids, these peptides promise muscle growth, fat loss, and anti-aging.

Many peptides are unregulated in Australia, meaning they are illegal to import or sell.

Unregulated peptides are illegal to import or sell in Australia, with cases of acute liver toxicity reported.

Studies have found samples contain different dosages to those advertised.

Studies on enhancement drugs found samples contaminated with heavy metals.

Have you come across injectable peptides?

Many people are sold or told about peptides through fitness communities.

Users exchange information via bodybuilding and looksmaxxing forums.

Mr. Rodrigues said many users are lost in dark corners of the internet.

My brother has megarexia

Ms. Boutin believes her brother had an undiagnosed eating disorder.

I often said, my brother has megarexia, similar to anorexia.

When he was big, he felt in control, but when he was off the drugs, he had a mental crash.

Alex Boutin's sister believes he had an eating disorder.

Ms. Boutin believes her brother's DIY attitude contributed to his death.

He didn't see doctors or get his blood checked, he did it on his own.

If you get your bloods done or see a cardiologist, it could save your life.

And talk, I think talking is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Isabella Boutin remembers her brother as a really sweet boy.

It's that talk treatment which has spurred Ms. Boutin's next project.

I want to start a talk group for guys and girls affected by hormone growth drugs.

See more ABC coverage in your search results

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Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 12:06 pm

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Unregulated Peptides and Male Eating Disorders

Topic: Eating Disorders

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 5:36 am

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 8:08 am

Alex Boutin's sister says he used steroids for over 10 years.

Young Australian men are using unregulated peptides for a perfect body, unaware of the harm to their health.

Alex Boutin was a healthy young Australian who became addicted to steroids and peptides.

He died of a heart attack at 33.

Police found bodybuilding drugs in his home, including some to restore testosterone.

All the steroids and peptides he used were recommended by non-medical people.

Alex met other users at the gym who used steroids.

A dietician says unregulated peptides in gym communities are a concerning trend.

The frequent use of steroids and peptides is an example of a potential eating disorder.

It's a scary thing that more people are experiencing this.

Eating disorder dietician Alex Rodrigues says rates of eating disorders are rising among young men.

Mel Wilton says the rise of unregulated peptide use is concerning.

These substances are targeted at vulnerable people, including young men.

If you or someone you know needs help:

Many substances provide a quick fix, but they are unrealistic and dangerous.

Young men taking these peptides are often unaware of the harm they can cause.

A survey found 84% of boys aged 12 to 18 want to be more muscular.

About 365,000 men in Australia are living with an eating disorder.

Do you know more?

Influenced at the gym

Isabella Boutin's brother was using steroids for over 10 years, influenced by the gym environment.

At the gym, he met older guys who offered him steroids to bulk up.

Isabella Boutin is urging young people to get their heart and blood checked.

Over 16 years, she saw her brother spiral into aggression, anxiety, and addiction.

He was on these drugs for over a decade.

The injectable drugs are not approved for use in Australia but are advertised on social media.

Mr. Boutin died on October 16, 2024, after a heart attack.

He was out with friends, then collapsed at home.

The post-mortem examination listed his cause of death as myocarditis.

Almost two years after his death, Ms. Boutin remembers her brother's childhood.

Alex Boutin died at 33 after taking steroids and peptides.

Ms. Boutin believes her brother's first trip to the gym sparked a journey of self-optimization.

Alex was a sweet boy, very vulnerable, and didn't have much self-confidence.

He started going to the gym at 17 to bulk up.

He had been dumped by a girlfriend who said he was small and skinny.

Isabella said Alex was very vulnerable.

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in our bodies.

Unregulated peptides promise radical physical transformations but are illegal in Australia.

Like steroids, these peptides promise muscle growth, fat loss, and anti-aging.

Many peptides are unregulated in Australia, meaning they are illegal to import or sell.

Unregulated peptides are illegal to import or sell in Australia, with cases of acute liver toxicity reported.

Studies have found samples contain different dosages to those advertised.

Studies on enhancement drugs found samples contaminated with heavy metals.

Have you come across injectable peptides?

Many people are sold or told about peptides through fitness communities.

Users exchange information via bodybuilding and looksmaxxing forums.

Mr. Rodrigues said many users are lost in dark corners of the internet.

My brother has megarexia

Ms. Boutin believes her brother had an undiagnosed eating disorder.

I often said, my brother has megarexia, similar to anorexia.

When he was big, he felt in control, but when he was off the drugs, he had a mental crash.

Alex Boutin's sister believes he had an eating disorder.

Ms. Boutin believes her brother's DIY attitude contributed to his death.

He didn't see doctors or get his blood checked, he did it on his own.

If you get your bloods done or see a cardiologist, it could save your life.

And talk, I think talking is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Isabella Boutin remembers her brother as a really sweet boy.

It's that talk treatment which has spurred Ms. Boutin's next project.

I want to start a talk group for guys and girls affected by hormone growth drugs.

See more ABC coverage in your search results

Top Stories

Topic: Royal Commissions

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Analysis by Kristian Silva

Topic: Immigration

Topic: Federal Government

Top Stories

Topic: Royal Commissions

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Analysis by Kristian Silva

Topic: Immigration

Topic: Federal Government

Just In

Topic: Public Health

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 12:06 pm

Topic: Courts

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 11:58 am

Topic: Explainer

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 11:52 am

Topic: Royal Commissions

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 12:14 pm