Final answer:
Elias is considering the use of performance-enhancing drugs like growth hormone, which athletes use to build muscle mass. However, these substances carry significant health risks and ethical implications, leading to them being banned by many sports organizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elias is observing that other athletes at his gym take various substances for performance enhancement. One of the hormones that some athletes might use for this purpose is growth hormone, which can help build muscle mass, similar to anabolic steroids. These are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone and are known to increase muscle mass and performance.
However, it's essential to recognize that the misuse of these drugs, including anabolic steroids and growth hormone, can lead to significant health risks, such as psychological effects, cardiovascular problems, and disruption of normal hormonal balance. Additionally, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is considered unethical as it provides an unfair advantage to users, and is banned by many sports organizations.