First of all, no, they are not weaker than "real hardcore drugs". Ask Disgusted about M1T. Shit is like Anadrol. They are very "real", and in fact were never really legal either. Triacana was the same, now taken off the market.
For you the legal aspect may be the most important. Faildo doesn't talk about legality when he condemns "drugs". He is saying getting in his type of shape is possible without chemicals, meanwhile taking potent thyroid drugs. There are reports in scientific journals of this "supplement" causing long term thyroid problems. That's selling a false dream to kids, saying you are doing it "the healthy way".
I think you would agree that if the over the counter the stuff worked like the "real stuff", the pros would use it.
Faildo is useing some cutting edge supplements and avoiding hardcore steroids.
The hardcore faithful don't want anyone to be able to develop a decent physique by legit means as that ends the drug myth and keeps the "ya gotta have drugs and lots of 'em" myth alive.
Plus, Chris Faildo is not massive and his appeal comes from his shape, symmetry and ripped ascpets of his physique.
The typical hardcore guy worships size above all else. To make a guy like Faildo as the ideal at a ripped 165lbs is NOT what the hardcore bunch advocates.
Look, Van B, if we want to split hairs and get technical , some of the gray area suppplements do merge into "drugs".
I think we both know that they are no way near as effective as roids or HGH, etc