HackTwat
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
[h=1]Prohormones for Dummies[/h]
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There's a little confusion about them circulating around these days. Prohormone might be a better term, because technically they are precursor molecules to the actual hormones in your body. For the weight lifting and bodybuilding communities, prohormones are usually designed to mimic testosterone. For all intents and purposes, prohormones are like steroids, but have not been made illegal.
[h=2]Are steroids better?[/h]Yes. But their illegality prevents many from obtaining them- and that's where prohormones come in. Supplement companies continue to develop compounds that mimic the action of AAS yet fly under the radar of the FDA based on chemical technicalities. There are prohormones that have been banned already, and while going after steroids and prohormones isn't exactly the most productive activity for the government to engage in when crackheads are out there vandalizing everything in sight, these chemicals have been vilified in our culture. Hence the companies producing them are typically coming up with newer, better products that some are even dubbing "Designer Steroids".
[h=2]Who should take prohormones?[/h]First of all, only adults (21+) who know what they are doing. Just like with steroids, the user must have their training, diet, and most importantly, their actual cycle (and post-cycle!) planned according to their realistic goals. None of these compounds are magic free passes to Muscle land. Are you looking to gain weight or are you going to cut? It makes a difference. As we established earlier, PHs will mimic the effects of AAS, but through somewhat different chemical means to the same end. It is important that you understand that PHs are typically a bit harsher on the system - this is because most PHs are ingested, not injected. They must therefore be processed by your digestive system to get into your blood stream.
This is an obstacle to the molecule getting into the muscle. Because of the acidity of the stomach, just taking a drink of testosterone wouldn't do much for you because it would be broken down chemically into other compounds (hence why AAS are typically injected). To get around this, many PH products are methylated - they have been combined with another molecule to preserve them until they are actually out of the stomach and absorbed by the intestines into the bloodstream*. Solve one problem, cause another: methylated compounds are toxic to the liver. In controlled amounts, this is not a problem for a healthy adult, and the liver is able to recover when you end your cycle without a hitch.
*Note: Another pro of methylation is that it prevents aromatization - the process by which testosterone is converted to estrogen by aromatase.
So let's step back for a moment and review and synthesize what we covered so far:
[h=2]I really can't drink while taking these?[/h]You really can't, if you want to protect your liver. If you can't give up alcohol to reach your goals (and if you are lifting, you should have already or at least cut back - alcohol gets aromatized into estrogen, didn't you know?) then you have very little business with prohormones.
[h=2]How long can I cycle?[/h] How long before the next? A safe bet for noticeable results is a two month cycle at the recommended dosage. Your post-cycle will usually be half that time. However, this does not mean you should hit your next cycle when you wake up the next morning. Waiting the same amount of time off your cycle as on will give your body the time it needs to return its normal hormonal duties. If you violate this strong suggestion touted by practically everyone that knows anything about hormone manipulation, you will probably rue the day you popped your first PH.
[h=2]So what's out there?[/h]What would you recommend? First of all, there is a wealth of knowledge out there waiting for you. Do some research, and in particular a great way to do so would be to seek out people that are similar to you - are you a short mesomorph, or a tall endomorph? Ask people like you who have had successful experiences. By no means should you blindly follow their advice, but it's a good reference point. Consult with a sports/nutrition coach that has experience training strength athletes, or a contest prep coach. These people should be quite knowledgeable in a way that most general practitionist doctors and nutritionists would be clueless.
Most prohormone substances will give you the effects of dulled-down anabolic steroids. However, they're cheaper, and most importantly, legal. (You also don't have to inject them - very good if you are needle-phobic.) One exception to this is 1-Testosterone. This compound does not require the body's assistance in changing it into a usable hormone; yet had evaded the FDA's banhammer because it is a naturally occurring compound. Unfortunately it eventually did find its way to the illegals list. A1 has a precursor product that has produced great results for multiple people: 1-Androsterone. Another 1-Test-type product is Methyl 1-D. Chances are, you don't even need AAS or other illegal compounds to achieve your goals if you get your ducks in a line and supplement your regimen with Prohormones.
With a little investigation, it shouldn't be hard to determine what's best for you. Good lifting!
0 Comments
There's a little confusion about them circulating around these days. Prohormone might be a better term, because technically they are precursor molecules to the actual hormones in your body. For the weight lifting and bodybuilding communities, prohormones are usually designed to mimic testosterone. For all intents and purposes, prohormones are like steroids, but have not been made illegal.
[h=2]Who should take prohormones?[/h]First of all, only adults (21+) who know what they are doing. Just like with steroids, the user must have their training, diet, and most importantly, their actual cycle (and post-cycle!) planned according to their realistic goals. None of these compounds are magic free passes to Muscle land. Are you looking to gain weight or are you going to cut? It makes a difference. As we established earlier, PHs will mimic the effects of AAS, but through somewhat different chemical means to the same end. It is important that you understand that PHs are typically a bit harsher on the system - this is because most PHs are ingested, not injected. They must therefore be processed by your digestive system to get into your blood stream.
This is an obstacle to the molecule getting into the muscle. Because of the acidity of the stomach, just taking a drink of testosterone wouldn't do much for you because it would be broken down chemically into other compounds (hence why AAS are typically injected). To get around this, many PH products are methylated - they have been combined with another molecule to preserve them until they are actually out of the stomach and absorbed by the intestines into the bloodstream*. Solve one problem, cause another: methylated compounds are toxic to the liver. In controlled amounts, this is not a problem for a healthy adult, and the liver is able to recover when you end your cycle without a hitch.
*Note: Another pro of methylation is that it prevents aromatization - the process by which testosterone is converted to estrogen by aromatase.
So let's step back for a moment and review and synthesize what we covered so far:
Be over the age of 21 - you don't want to screw up your endocrine system by taking PHs too young.
You must have your training program and diet tweaked to near-perfection. Not even AAS are magic, nor are PHs.
Get a blood test to ensure that your liver and kidneys are healthy. Cholesterol is also a concern.
Do NOT consume alcohol when cycling a methylated PH. Don't hurt your liver like that.
Do NOT use PHs if you are an athlete that may be tested for steroids. You will fail the test.
Don't use PHs without a properly planned cycle and post-cycle therapy. Otherwise you will get the same side-effects as steroids. Do you really want a rash of acne, droopy man-boobs, a shrill voice, and shrunken testes? I didn't think so.
[h=2]If I up my dose, will I get better gains?[/h] In a word, no. Your body can only utilize so much of the stuff. Anything going too much overboard will just mean extra work for your liver and kidneys, and may or may not be converted to estrogen, which will work against you like delicious free cake against a fat kid. So save your money and go with the recommended dose appropriate for your body weight.You must have your training program and diet tweaked to near-perfection. Not even AAS are magic, nor are PHs.
Get a blood test to ensure that your liver and kidneys are healthy. Cholesterol is also a concern.
Do NOT consume alcohol when cycling a methylated PH. Don't hurt your liver like that.
Do NOT use PHs if you are an athlete that may be tested for steroids. You will fail the test.
Don't use PHs without a properly planned cycle and post-cycle therapy. Otherwise you will get the same side-effects as steroids. Do you really want a rash of acne, droopy man-boobs, a shrill voice, and shrunken testes? I didn't think so.
[h=2]I really can't drink while taking these?[/h]You really can't, if you want to protect your liver. If you can't give up alcohol to reach your goals (and if you are lifting, you should have already or at least cut back - alcohol gets aromatized into estrogen, didn't you know?) then you have very little business with prohormones.
[h=2]How long can I cycle?[/h] How long before the next? A safe bet for noticeable results is a two month cycle at the recommended dosage. Your post-cycle will usually be half that time. However, this does not mean you should hit your next cycle when you wake up the next morning. Waiting the same amount of time off your cycle as on will give your body the time it needs to return its normal hormonal duties. If you violate this strong suggestion touted by practically everyone that knows anything about hormone manipulation, you will probably rue the day you popped your first PH.
[h=2]So what's out there?[/h]What would you recommend? First of all, there is a wealth of knowledge out there waiting for you. Do some research, and in particular a great way to do so would be to seek out people that are similar to you - are you a short mesomorph, or a tall endomorph? Ask people like you who have had successful experiences. By no means should you blindly follow their advice, but it's a good reference point. Consult with a sports/nutrition coach that has experience training strength athletes, or a contest prep coach. These people should be quite knowledgeable in a way that most general practitionist doctors and nutritionists would be clueless.
Most prohormone substances will give you the effects of dulled-down anabolic steroids. However, they're cheaper, and most importantly, legal. (You also don't have to inject them - very good if you are needle-phobic.) One exception to this is 1-Testosterone. This compound does not require the body's assistance in changing it into a usable hormone; yet had evaded the FDA's banhammer because it is a naturally occurring compound. Unfortunately it eventually did find its way to the illegals list. A1 has a precursor product that has produced great results for multiple people: 1-Androsterone. Another 1-Test-type product is Methyl 1-D. Chances are, you don't even need AAS or other illegal compounds to achieve your goals if you get your ducks in a line and supplement your regimen with Prohormones.
With a little investigation, it shouldn't be hard to determine what's best for you. Good lifting!
