Steroids

Hola_Bola

The same questions spring up almost daily, from novice to experienced users wondering what the benefits of AAS use vs OTC Ph/Ds can be and those wishing to purchase these legal compounds. I'm going to give my personal opinion on the subject as a long-term user and otherwise. I understand the section was created with the intention of providing correct & reliable information to enthusiasts who wish to learn about muscle growth in general and in expressing my opinion, I am practicing free speech which I believe will be respected on these boards, disregarding the bias replies I may receive. I don't care whether you read it or not but I'll be happy that it's been said and stands. I know those who care about their long term health will think otherwise.

Pro-hormones are derivatives of a steroid and they are not a "supplement" worth taking as the risk factor far out-weighs the positive aspects in my honest opinion. Many people prefer to opt for these items because first off, these PH/DS are legal. But one should be very careful in basing the safety aspect of anything based on legality. The legality of something does not always mean a product is safe or otherwise. Take for instance "real" AAS, many will argue with sound proof that this is a safe thing to use, although it is illegal without a prescription. However, take something such as cigarettes, no individual would claim these are safe at any level, yet they remain perfectly legal.

So how are PH/DS often sold legally, even if it is only a short lived time? Like said, these items are often derivatives of AAS. The only difference is that their chemical structure has been slightly altered to make them legal. It may in fact be a very slight alteration, usually is, but it is this very change that makes them unable to match medical grade AAS regarding gains - although much of the side effects associated remain. For example, if a legal compound was similar to Methandrostenolone (Dianabol) one could argue that there is a right way to create it and of course, there's a wrong way.

With these chemical alterations, more often then not, the toxicity level rises. Like with any oral steroid, such as Methandrostenolone, Oxandrolone etc, there is a level of toxicity involved in consuming these compounds, particularly with regards to the liver. The drug used however often determines this level. In the case of PH/DS, again because of the chemical alterations made to these drugs in order for them to be sold at your local GNC, the toxicity goes up tremendously.

The aid of OTC Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is more often than not useless, because the toxicity is so high and these OTC PCT products are not strong enough to combat these effects so why put unreasonable amounts of stress on your body? You need to obtain a SERM, whether prescription or otherwise, but that's a discussion for another time.

You don't have to go far to find the answers. On the web there are AAS sections and if you cared enough about what you're putting into your body I'm sure you've visited it. The following is the general consensus from those who have been at the game for a respectable amount of time and frequent the AAS section. Their views on the subject is that PH/DS bring minimal gains and maximum sides, nothing compared to AAS, they're just not worth your hard earned money & if you are considering PH/DS use, you should really take the time to weigh these risk adequately and, depending on your situation career wise, let them put you on the road to safer "real" anabolics.

Some of these PH/DS have become a success, some proved to be a disaster for users. It is clear that from a chemical point of view and indeed a supplement company, that there are many possibilities for new compounds. It is not a surprise that regularly new products, often advertised as a "designer supplement", appear on the market. Producers advertise the new PH/DS as legal and they assume that the necessary enzymatic transformations into the real anabolic steroid will take place.

They seldom prove this.

The possible activity and the long-term side effects of the PH/DS itself have mostly never been investigated. Only scientific research can establish this. Producers simply bring the PH/DS to the market.

The user is the guinea pig.

Many of the supplement stores - i.e GNC, who sell these products are really taking advantage of the general public's lack of knowledge and some of these ads make some pretty outrageous claims. But why not when they can? They can because the supplement industry is entirely unregulated.

From now on, I'm going to stick with the understood, effective compounds at reasonable doses because the supplement industry is all marketing, so much so that it's hard to know what to believe.

I'm not anti-PH/DS or waging a crazed campaign against the supplement industry because I believe there is some great people in the marketplace so don't get me wrong, I'm just providing factual information and the facts are that, you can get them instantly with no legal worries so they have a definite and effective place but, ironically, mg per mg, they are more toxic than the "real" AAS and give you less gains.

The potent compound Superdrol, is still on the market, as is Phera-Plex and some others but are now all sold as "clones" as the original's were warned by the Government to stop production letting other companies pick up where the one's before left off. Superdrol is extremely liver toxic. In fact, faced with 14 weeks of 500mg Test Cyp or 4 weeks 20-30mg Superdrol, the informed athlete would choose the Superdrol in a "Most Toxic" debate - and this is the product that is legal over the counter?

I understand certain biased people on these boards one hundred percent, truly, and all the premise behind it. Most have signed up with the sole intention to sell their products. I know there are some good characters on the boards who'll give you an honest answer but at the end of the day, they are few and far between. People who look considerable bigger than most on the boards aren't interested in the company they rep product's, most use AAS because they are informed about the subject but this only comes with experience. Forget doctors, there's not a weightlifter on these boards, "repping" a company or not, who wouldn't recommend the usage of AAS before PH/DS.

If you are considering PH/DS use, you should be willing to use "real" AAS, period. Although real AAS is not legal without a prescription, the risks of negative side effects from them are still far less then with the use of PH/DS. This is not said to encourage anyone to use AAS, thats a choice that has to be made by each individual on his or her own. But one should always weigh the products they are thinking about using and determine what is right for them based on sound research and their own educational study.

No one should ever simply take someones word on various supplements, be it AAS, PH/DS or anything else you can think of, in fact, you shouldnt even take my word on this, but the info provided above should be something that causes you to delve into your own research and study of these products to find out for yourself.

Train hard and use "real" gear intelligently. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.