|
STEROIDS
What are anabolic steroids?
Steroids are a very large class of compounds which occur in all animals. The steroids used by athletes are mostly androgenic steroids: steroids which act like testosterone. The steroids used to treat inflammatory disorders (e.g. prednisolone, cortisone,beclomethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone and dozens of others) are cortico steroids and do not have anabolic effects.
Testosterone in the male is produced mainly in the testis, a small amount being produced in the adrenal. It is synthesized from cholesterol. The regulation of its production may be simplified thus: the hypothalamus(part of the brain) produces gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) which acts on the anterior pituitary to increase the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH acts on the Leydig cells in the testis, causing them to produce testosterone. FSH, together with testosterone act on the Sertoli cells in the testis to regulate the production and maturation of spermatozoa. Testosterone in turn acts on thehypothalamus and anterior pituitary to suppress the production of GnRH, FSHand LH, producing a negative-feedback mechanism which keeps everything well-regulated. The small amount produced in the adrenal (in both sexes) is regulated by secretion of adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH), also secreted by the pituitary.
Testosterone, and its metabolites such as dihydrotestosterone, act in many parts of the body, producing the secondary sexual characteristics ofthen male: balding, facial and body hair, deep voice, greater muscle bulk,thicker skin, and genital maturity. At puberty it produces acne, the growth spurt and the enlargement of the penis and testes as well as causing thefusion of the epiphyses (through its conversion to estrogen), bringing growth in height to an end. It plays some role in maintaining the sexual organs in the adult, but only a low concentration is required for this.
The normal production of testosterone in the adult male is 4 to 9mg per day. The normal plasma concentration is 22.5nmol/l, of which 97% is protein bound. Most is excreted in the urine as 17-keto steroids, but a small amount is converted to estrogens.
Various analogs of testosterone are used in medical treatment of testicular failure, hereditary angioedema, anemia, severe endometriosis anda few other conditions. Testosterone itself is given by injection. Oral preparations such as methyltestosterone, fluoxymesterone, mesterolone andstanolone are sometimes used, but they cause substantially more liverdamage than injectable or rectally administered preparations because they are absorbed from the gut and transported first to the liver (like most things taken by mouth), where they reach quite high concentrations and are extensively metabolized before circulating to the rest of the body.
Many other analogs have been developed with more anabolic effect than testosterone. These include such famous names as stanozolol, nandrolone,ethyloestrenol and oxymetholone. They all have substantially the same effects as testosterone: retention of sodium, potassium, water, calcium,sulfate, and phosphate, increased muscle synthesis in response to exercise and possible increases in aggression and or libido.
They act on the hypothalamus and pituitary to suppress the productionof GnRH, FSH and LH, causing a virtual cessation in the production of natural testosterone in the testes and also reducing or stopping the production of spermatozoa. This effect does not always reverse when the artificial androgens are stopped.
Cancers of the prostate are frequently dependent on testosterone(hence their treatment by castration) and they may progress very rapidly in the presence of high level of androgens.
A percentage of testosterone is converted to estrogen and some artificial androgens have some estrogen effect as well, causing enlargement of the breast tissue behind the nipple (gynaecomastia). This is occasionally seen naturally in pubescent boys and a small percentage of the adult male population. This effect may be reduced by drugs which inhibit the binding of estrogen to its receptors: e.g.clomiphene, cyclofenil and tamoxifen or drugs that block the enzyme,aromatase, that converts testosterone to estrogen.
So are they safe? The approval and use of any drug is a matter of deciding whether the therapeutic benefits from its use are worth the adverse effects. No drug is safe; acetaminophen (paracetamol) causes some verynasty fatal poisonings, aspirin causes rare cases of devastating skinreactions. Problems occur with every pharmaceutical and it is usually dose dependent. However, the concensus is that they save enough lives and alleviate enough problems to more than compensate for the bad effects. In therapeutic doses, steroids result in few side effects.
Androgenic steroids have a fairly limited use in medicine. They are effective in males with testicular failure and are occasionally used inosteoporosis and as an appetite stimulant in severely wasted patients. In the past they were also used to treat anemia, however, more effective treatements now exist for this disease. In these cases the benefits clearly outweigh the risks for the patient. Using them for essentiallycosmetic or frivolous reasons doesn't produce much of value to compensate for the risks associated with their abuse.
Using drugs under medical supervision doesn't make the drugs any safer, it just gives a greater chance that the adverse effects may be picked up sooner, and it decreases the chances that an abusive quantity will be used.
What Side effects are commonly seen with steroid use?
First, there are many different anabolic steroids and based on how the body handles them, they have very different side effects. Some steroids have virtually no side effects and to lump all anabolic steroids into one category (in terms of benefit or harm) shows a lack of understanding with respect to their pharmacological action.
In therapeutic doses, 100 mg deca-durabolin per week for example, very fewside effects are observed. Unfortunately, most athletes will not restrict their use to therapeutic doses.
What happens when athletes take some of the harsher anabolic steroids in abusive dosages? Numerous side effects can result while on steroids including acne, increased sex drive, impotence, liver problems, aggression and psychological dependence. Other side effects, including gynecomastia(bitch tits), high blood pressure, other cardiovascular diseases, baldness, stunted growth in adolescents, and enlargement of pre existing prostate tumors can persist even after steroid use has stopped. Female steroid users, in addition to the problems listed above, can have virilizing(masculinizing) symptoms when using the harsher, androgenic compounds,including amenorrhea (which is reversible), clitoral hypertrophy, deepervoice, excessive growth of body hair, loss of scalp hair and alterations in skin texture (which frequently aren't reversible). Not all of these conditions are caused by all anabolic steroids. Some of the harsher anabolic steroids will only cause these problems for a certain percentage of the users, above certain dosages. Some of the milder anabolic steroids cause almost none of these side effects. There fore, it is a mistake to state that all steroid users will come down with these side effects. Any such silly statements will be readily flamed on m.f.w. Most of the sideeffects of steroid use result from the conversion of testosterone to estrogen or dihydrotestosterone. Some anabolic steroids do not undergo this conversion. These steroids will have fewer side effects.
Commonly, guys will post a question to the group asking if they should beconcerned about side effects, like gyno, when taking 200 mg/week of deca-durabolin. This demonstrates a lack of understanding with respect to the side effects of anabolic steroids. This person should do more readingon the subject before proceeding because deca undergoes very little aromatization to estrogen, making the chances of gyno quite small ,especially at such a low dose.
A more valid question that is often asked is will 250 mg/week of testosterone make nolvadex necessary during a cycle to prevent gyno. Testosterone will convert to estrogen readily. However, gyno and many of the side effects of testosterone, don't show up at such low doses. In fact, testosterone has been shown to be relatively safe up to 600 mg/week FOR SHORT DURATION USE! Those interested in this should read the July 4.1996 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the harmful and beneficial effects of testosterone or FLEX MAGAZINE the November 1996 issue.
Should I start my first cycle?
If you are under the age of 20 you shouldn't even consider the possibility. Teenagers are already experiencing an anabolic spurt and the risks far outweigh the benefit. Many anabolic steroids have the potential to stunt your growth, so that is something every teenager should consider if they have any expectation of becoming a professional athlete where short people have a much lower probability of success.
If you live in the US, Canada or other countries where steroids are strictly regulated, you should consider the consequences of breaking the law.
If you have only been lifting weights for a few years, you should consider that inexperienced weightlifters rarely show benefits from the use of steroids.
If you think that you will only use the milder anabolic steroids, you should consider that just about everyone who uses the more dangerous steroids started out that way. Cycles of deca and primo turn into cycles of anadrol and testosterone. These compounds can be psychologically addictive, and the desire for more is a dangerous game.
If you think that you are capable of self-administering these compounds, you should consider how much you really know about human physiology and pharmacology. What would you do if you hit a nerve with your needle? What would you do if you get an abscess or infection? How would you know if your liver or kidneys were suffering? Is there a doctor around who can run blood tests to monitor your health?
If you think that you can handle these drugs, you should really think about what it will mean to come off cycle. How will you taper or ween yourself off? The desire to stay on these compounds can be over whelming. I know guys who go on and never come off. The potential for damage from this practice is astounding.
If you think that you want to start a cycle, you should consider what exactly is your goal. At age 25 you may want to look better, but at age 35 or later you'll begin to become concerned about your health. Is the risk of problems, such as cardiovascular disease, which take some time to develop worth the risk, when your looks can improve dramatically through weightlifting without anabolic steroids?
If you think you're ready, you should consider that many guys use steroids and make very few muscle gains because the potential for using them incorrectly is enormous. These people are increasing their chance of suffering the side effects and they aren't even achieving the main effect (putative benefit) because they don't know how to use them properly, workout properly and eat properly. The potential errors that can be made are extensive. See lists in the World Anabolic Review and the Anabolic Reference Guide for common errors.
Once you have thought about all this and have extensive knowledge in this are a wait another year before beginning. This will allow you plenty of time for more thought and it will demonstrate your dedication to the iron. Decisions of this magnitude should not be made quickly. As I always tell a pushy salesman, "if I have to decide today, the answer is no."
I'm going to start my first cycle. What are the safest steroids and in what doses should they be used?
Self-administered steroids are rarely ever safe. In addition, black market steroids can contain virtually any substance - it's like playing Russian roulette. And, if you don't know which ones are safer than others, this indicates you don't have enough information to begin a steroid cycle. You must be well-educated in this area before you begin. Otherwise, it will be very easy to make mistakes. Always consult your physician before adding any drug to your system. Make sure that your physician monitors you while you are on that drug.
Injectable steroids are far easier on the liver in general than oral preparations. Of course, sterile technique and clean (new) needles and syringes should be used for injection. Any injection carries the potential risk of bacterial infection. Sharing needles can increase the risk of spreading viruses including HIV, Hepatitis C and others. Fake steroids often result in infection because the products are often made in a non-sterile environment. It is also possible to cause an embolism from inadvertent intravenous injection. In addition, it is possible to impale the sciatic nerve during a gluteal injection which can be extremely painful.
Some of the milder anabolic steroids include deca-durabolin, equipoise, primobolan and oxandrolone. Some of the harsher anabolic steroids that result in more harmful effects include testosterone esters, anadrol and dianabol.
When considering dosage, most lifters base their dose on total mg/week. Whether it is deca or test, the most important consideration is the total mg/week. The question these users have to address is how much risk are they willing to take? Obviously, the higher the dosage, the greater the risk they're taking. In addition, these users often decrease their risk of harmful effects by using a higher percentage of the milder anabolic steroids listed above. Those users who choose to take a greater risk will use a higher percentage of the harsher steroids listed above. For example,some guys might choose to do 800 mg/week. If all of that 800 mg is test, the risk of harmful effects is much greater than if these guys used 250 mg test in conjunction with 550 mg of deca (which is a safer anabolic steroid).
What dosage a user chooses is completely up to that individual and the risk they're willing to take. However, they should recognize the risks associated with various dosage levels. Many first time users try 200mg/week. Many experienced users push 2000 mg/week (10 times more). Some bodybuilders have been known to use 5000 mg/week, although this is certainly a waste of the pharmaceuticals. Many first time users will notice good gains between 200 and 400 mg/week. Experienced users often get good gains between 600 and 800 mg/week. Unfortunately, harmful effects,such as gyno, often show up when users take 750 mg/week or more (this does not mean gyno will not show up at lower doses, just that it occurs with low frequency at lower doses). So, many guys build great physiques, never exceeding 700 mg/week. Of course, Dan Duchaine once said "you give a guy 2 grams of anything a week and he's going to grow."
Where can I get steroids?
If you are looking to use steroids for athletic or aesthetic purposes, doctors can not, and will not, prescribe them for you in the United States, Canada and several other countries. 95% of the items on the black market are fakes (IN USA, CANADA). Attempting to obtain steroids from someone you met on the net can be stupid. They could be law enforcement looking to make a bust, or they will simply take your money - they won't even waste time with a fake product.
Remember that I don't sell any steroids so don't send any letters to me asking for them.
People often obtain the drugs in countries where the regulations are not as strict while visiting or through mail order. Others obtain them from veterinary supply houses. Or they are obtained from that really big guy in the gym. :-)
Make sure that the substance in question doesn't have a picture in the World Anabolic Review or the Anabolic Reference Guide. No serious steroid user should be without at least one of these manuals. They provide pictures of various real and fake steroids. If a picture of your steroid is in this book, people will be frustrated with the question. In addition, these books give several guidelines for determining if it's real. If it is not in this book, you may ask the group. However, it is very difficult to answer these types of questions without actually seeing the product and usually people will only answer with the standard guidelines.
What is the proper way to taper off cycle?
Do not use anabolics that aromatize or suppress endogenous testosterone for a taper. Any substance that suppresses endogenous test production will be very harsh for coming off cycle. A proper taper can help avoid psychological addiction. Substances like deca-durabolin, equipoise, laurabolin, primobolan and proviron are commonly used for tapering. The two best compounds for tapering are probably primobolan and proviron.
Here is one way that people taper:
Is bridging between cycles beneficial?
No, it is very dangerous. When you decide to use small quantities of steroids between cycles, you must recognize that you are not between cycles. You have gone on steroids permanently. This is a very drastic move and one that should not be contemplated lightly. Many pro-bodybuilders go on and stay on. Consider the serious health ramifications of this decision.
But, you say, you'll only do 50 or 100 mg of deca a week to bridge. This is a mistake and a waste of juice and androgen receptors. This won't have too many harmful effects associated, but this will prevent androgen receptors from ever returning to normal levels. So, when a person decides to go back "on-cycle", they get few benefits from the higher dose steroids because their receptors are still down-graded. At this point the person begins to question if the steroids are real because they aren't seeing an effect. Bridging is a demonstration of how steroids can be psychologically addictive. Guys say they're off cycle, guys say they aren't psychologically dependent, but they still have to take a shot every week.
Some of the guys who get the best gains from their cycles are the ones who only do one 10 week cycle a year. The entire rest of the year their training is causing an increase in androgen receptors. When they finally hit these receptors with juice, they are primed for action.
Bridging is a mistake. It is far more detrimental to progress than people believe. If a person decides that they are going to go on without coming off, they will not get any benefit from bridging with small quantities. Pros that go on and don't come off use serious quantities year round. Don't risk your health by going on permanently. Some would argue that it is worth the risk if the person could earn millions of dollars as a result of the steroid use. These people are definitely not choosing bodybuilding as their sport.
Are steroids morally wrong?
Moral arguments against the use of steroids usually fail miserably. One assumption made in this argument is that everyone has a common morality which is certainly false. Second, people often forget that even over-the-counter drugs have harmful effects and that legal status is often determined by political ideology, not by the safety of a drug. For example, alcohol and nicotine both have inherent side effects, but their overwhelming demand, and other historical reasons, have led to their legality in a democratic society, not their relative safety.
back to top
How do you Inject Anabolic Steroids?
When injecting steroids, whether water or oil based, they must be taken intramuscularly, i.e. the injection must penetrate the skin and surface fat and enter the muscle. The most common area to inject into is the upper outer quarter of the buttock. Injections can also be placed into the outer thigh. Intramuscular injections should be given deep within the muscle (not to deep so the needle is going through the muscle) and away from major nerves and blood vessels.
Some solutions can be harder to inject than others, causing the needle to block sometimes. Shake the solution vigorously before drawing into the syringe to avoid blocking.
The most acceptable needle is a 19 or 21 gauge (1.5 inch) with a 2.5ml syringe. Needles shorter than 1 inch are not recommended.
The injection site should be cleaned with an alcohol swab. Always use a new syringe and a new needle. To clear the syringe of air slowly squeeze the plunger, needle pointed up, until the air bubbles near the top are pushed out. Do not touch the needle. Once the syringe is inserted deep into the muscle, pull back on the plunger and make sure there is no blood in the syringe (indicating you've hit a blood vessel). Slowly inject the oil, withdraw the needle and press a new alcohol swab on the site. Rub the area vigorously. Always discard the used needle properly: use a needle disposal bin or coffee jar and return to a needle exchange.
It is not recommended to use the same injection site more than twice a week.
What are the best cycles of Anabolic Steroids?
The best cycles are those that last a short period of time. Those cycles usually lasts 6-8 weeks because the most muscle gain come in the first month of the cycle.
Here is some examples off different types of cycles:
The Increase-as-you-go Cycle:
This cycle is often used with sustanon
Week 1 . Test and Anadrol (any fast acting androgen steroid will work).
Week 5 . Primobolan and Deca (any high anabolic and low androgenic steroid will do)
Week. Omnadren 250 Testex Winstrol HCG
7 250-500 mg 250 mg 3 amp
8 250-500 mg 250 mg 3 amp
+ stacking with Proviron or Nolvadex, especially under the high dose weeks
Testex is a brand name for Testosterone Cyponate (for more info look steroid list)
This cycle is used for weight gain. If you don't know what drugs I am talking about look at the steroid list below.
Week. Deca-durabolin Primobolan Winstrol HCG
This cycle is used for fat loss and muscle gain. Proviron and Nolvadex is not nesecerry.
NOTE: This information provided for reference only. At Lift for Life we neither endorse nor encourage the use of Anabolic Steroids. It is a fact however that many Body Builders use steroids and it would be a disservice to the community as a whole to ignore this issue.
This information was taken from other sites on the NET.
back to top
|
Comments
RSS feed for comments to this post