The Brain's Response to Steroids

Anabolic steroids are artificial versions of a hormone that's in all of us -- testosterone. (That's right, testosterone is in girls as well as guys.) Testosterone not only brings out male sexual traits, it also causes muscles to grow.
Some people take anabolic steroid pills or injections to try to build muscle faster. ("Anabolic" means growing or building.)
But these steroids also have other effects. They can cause changes in the brain and body that increase risks for illness and they may affect moods.

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Do Anabolic Steroids Really Make the Body Stronger?

You may have heard that some athletes use anabolic steroids to gain size and strength. Maybe you've even seen an anabolic steroid user develop bigger muscles over time.
But while anabolic steroids can make some people look stronger on the outside, they may create weaknesses on the inside.
For example, anabolic steroids can weaken the immune system -- the body's defense against germs and diseases. They can also lead to liver damage or cancer, even in young people. They can also permanently stop bones from growing in teenagers. This means that a teenage steroid user may not grow to be his or her full adult height and will be shorter for life.

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Anabolic Steroids
Affect the Brain

Parts of the brain that influence your moods and are involved in learning and memory are called the limbic system. Anabolic steroids act in the limbic system. In animals, they have been shown to impair learning and memory. They can also lead to changes in mood, such as feelings of depression or irritability.
Anabolic steroid users may act mean to people they're normally nice to, like friends and family.
Anabolic steroids in the brain may trigger really aggressive behavior. Some outbursts can be so severe they have become known in the media as "roid rages."

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Anabolic Steroids Can Confuse the Brain and Body
Your body's testosterone production is controlled by a group of nerve cells at the base of the brain, called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus also does a lot of other things. It helps control appetite, blood pressure, moods, and reproductive ability.
Anabolic steroids can change the messages the hypothalamus sends to the body. This can disrupt normal hormone function.
In guys, anabolic steroids can interfere with the normal production of testosterone. They can also act directly on the testes and cause them to shrink. This can result in a lower sperm count and reproductive ability. They can also cause an irreversible loss of scalp hair.
In girls, anabolic steroids can cause a loss of the monthly period by acting on both the hypothalamus and reproductive organs. They can also cause loss of scalp hair, growth of body and facial hair and deepening of the voice. These changes are also irreversible.

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Anabolic Steroids in Medicine

Doctors never prescribe anabolic steroids for building muscle in young, healthy people. (Try push-ups instead!) But doctors sometimes prescribe anabolic steroids to treat some types of anemia or disorders in men that prevent the normal production of testosterone.
You may have heard that doctors sometimes prescribe steroids to reduce swelling. This is true, but these aren't anabolic steroids. They're corticosteroids.
Since corticosteroids don't build muscles the way that anabolic steroids do, people don't abuse them.

Winstrol (Stanozolol)

Winstrol is a very popular testosterone derived anabolic steroid from the Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) family that is available as an oral tablet or as an injectable in the form of Winstrol Depot. First developed by Sterling-Winthrop Laboratories in the early 1960’s the active hormone in the compound Stanozolol was given the trade name “Winstrol” and as is common in the anabolic steroid world the first trade name ever given has been the name most associate with the steroid. While many anabolic steroids are normally only found in certain circles some are found across the board in every athletic category imaginable; Winstrol is such a steroid. Very popular in competitive bodybuilding circles due to its use in contest prep Winstrol is also a favorite of performance athletes in baseball, track & field and everything in-between. Further, as most anabolic steroids can be very damaging to women, due to its nature Winstrol is one of the few anabolic steroids that can be safely used by women as well when used responsibly.

Winstrol 101

Winstrol is an ester free DHT steroid found in the form of a 17-Alpha-Alkylated steroid (17-aa) form as well as an injectable aqueous suspension (suspended in water.) Pertaining to the oral form the 17-aa alteration simply refers to the altered chemical structure that occurs at the 17th carbon position; without such restructuring the steroid would be useless in oral form. The 17-aa alteration allows the steroid to survive the first pass through the liver after ingestion and absorb into the blood stream where it becomes active; this has both positive and negative effects. The good news is once ingested it will enter the blood very rapidly, the bad news is it will bring about a level of toxicity to the liver as is common with most oral medications, steroidal and non-steroidal alike.
As it pertains to the injectable aqueous form the same active Stanozolol hormone is being used, in that there is no difference. However, the toxicity to the liver will not be as large of a concern with the injectable form as by injecting the medication it goes to work directly and bypasses the first pass through the liver completely. Another important distinction is in the half-life; injectable Winstrol carries with it a half-life of approximately 24 hours while the oral Winny form as it is commonly known carries with it a half-life of approximately 9 hours. As you can see that’s a pretty big difference and administration will necessarily vary from one form to the next if absolute efficiency is going to be met.
As a DHT based steroid Winstrol is extraordinarily anabolic and only slightly androgenic, regardless of the form you choose this will hold true as will all other traits. As a powerful anabolic steroid Winstrol greatly enhances protein synthesis via its ability to dramatically increase nitrogen retention in the muscles all the while possessing no aromatase effects.

The Benefits of Winstrol

Most all steroids can provide quality benefits to most any cycle for any purpose; however, most anabolic androgenic steroids generally have one primary purpose and secondary characteristics that may be apt for another cycle. For example, the powerful steroid Anadrol is used primarily as a bulking steroid as its nature is best suited for this purpose, however, it does possess traits that can be beneficial in a cutting cycle when used properly; this is very common in competitive bodybuilding circles. Winstrol however is a little different; while its primary purpose is without question a cutting cycle and in the aid in athletic performance there is not much use for this steroid in a bulking cycle as it is not by its mode of action designed to build large amounts of lean tissue. Even so, regarding cutting and athletic performance Winstrol is often a fine choice.
The primary benefit(s) revolving around Winstrol are without question increases in strength and this can relate to physical power, speed and agility; further, as by its nature Winstrol can greatly enhance vascularity as well as promote a dryer and harder physique when body-fat is already low. While Winstrol will not specifically burn stored body-fat, most steroids won’t, it will have a very positive effect on this process. Winny is an excellent steroid for preservation purposes when in a caloric deficit as you should be if you are dieting and the more lean tissue we can hold onto when in this deficit the greater your metabolic rate will be, thereby leading to a leaner and harder physique.

The Side Effects of Winstrol

Like all anabolic steroids Winstrol is not without the possibility of negative side-effects, however, the effects are often highly overstated and can largely be controlled by responsible use. Individual sensitivity will also play a role and the extent can vary from one person to the next as this is the case with all medications, steroidal and non-steroidal alike.
As discussed, liver toxicity is a concern, especially with the oral form as the oral form is a 17-aa steroid. Due to this fact we will necessarily limit the total time of Winstrol to 6-8 weeks at a time in order to protect the liver.
However, while use will increase liver enzymes, in most all cases your liver will return to normal levels once use is discontinued and will never experience toxic levels anywhere near what daily alcohol consumption can bring and even regular use of many over the counter medications.
Beyond liver effects Winstrol does carry with it other concerns, Winstrol can seriously bring problematic conditions to your cholesterol levels as it will increase your LDL and decrease your HDL somewhat dramatically. However, as is often overlooked healthy eating that is full of Omega Fatty Acids can greatly aid in controlling this; no, it will not fix it and prevent your cholesterol from moving but it will keep you in the realm of safety if you are serious and disciplined.
One side-effect many speak of regarding Winstrol revolves around the injectable Depot form as injections can be very painful as is common with water-based steroids. Further, because most receive their Winny from underground labs, as it is a water-based steroid it is often a breeding ground for bacteria and is one of the most common infections inducing steroids due to this problem. For this reason you will necessarily need to stick with human grade brands that are manufactured in a sterile environment.
It should be noted although Winstrol will not suppress natural testosterone production to the degree of many other steroids such as Deca-Durabolin which will suppress all production after one dose, Winstrol will bring about some suppression. When you couple this with stacking other steroids and extended duration of use Testosterone supplementation is in most cases absolutely necessary.

Winstrol & Women

Most all anabolic steroids can lead to virilization when used by women (masculine effects.) As its androgenic qualities are low and androgenic characteristics can destroy a woman’s femininity Winstrol along with other steroids such as Anavar and Primobolan are often many women’s first choice. However, nasty affects can occur when the dose is too high and when used for too long and of course sensitivity will come into play. However, most women can safely and effectively use 5mg-10mg of Winstrol per day for approximately 6 weeks without any ill-effects. If ill-effects begin to show simply discontinue immediately, however, if you show negative signs, force the issue and do not discontinue use you may find the effects irreversible. While not as safe as Anavar in-terms of female use, when used responsibly it is a more powerful choice and often welcomed by many female athletes.

Winstrol Cycles & Doses

Most men who use Winstrol will find a dose of 50mg to be very effective and often all they ever need with 100mg per day being the max anyone will ever safely use. As injectable Winstrol has a 24 hour half-life we can effectively administer the steroid every other day efficiently, although most will prefer stable every day injections. As for oral Winstrol, as it’s half-life is very short, wherever your dose falls you will necessarily split it into two even doses throughout the day and do so every day while the steroid is being used.
Most will find Winstrol stacks well with just about any steroid on earth; stacks of Winstrol, Testosterone and Trenbolone are very common among many competitive bodybuilders. However, whatever your stack may be you will need to keep the duration to 8 weeks in-terms of a standard and safe time frame; some will safely extend into the 12 week range but this should be reserved for experienced users and only once you know how the steroid affects you.
As with all anabolic steroid use a post cycle plan will be necessary once use is discontinued. While there are many options the best post cycle plans will include hCG, Nolvadex and/or Clomid. However, some will choose to bridge with Winstrol in-between cycles, however, we cannot recommend this practice as you will be suppressing your natural testosterone production without any supplemental form being introduced and this can be very damaging.

Testosterone

Testosterone is an essential hormone produced by both men and women and essential to proper endocrine function with a host of responsibilities. While naturally occurring in all human beings the amount produced will vary from person to person often a great deal, as well as decline especially as we age. While natural testosterone has always existed, obviously, synthetic form has only been available for approximately 100 years but make no mistake, synthetic testosterone has opened the door for many advancements in both performance enhancement and hormone replacement therapy. Without testosterone we would not have the host of anabolic androgenic steroids we have today, as most anabolic androgenic steroids owe their existence to testosterone. While many anabolic steroids are derived from the testosterone hormone there isn’t one that is more important and generally well-tolerated.

Testosterone 101:

Testosterone is an androgen class hormone produced by both men and women; in the testicles in men and the ovaries of women, although generally ten times as much testosterone will be naturally produced in men and as such it is known as the primary male hormone. Testosterone plays a key role in development, sexual characteristics, muscle and bone growth, as well as in-terms of regeneration and preservation and is vital to proper metabolic efficiency. While it is essential, as we age our levels dramatically decline, especially in men and this can lead to a host of problems. While our lifestyle can affect this end to a great deal a decline is inevitable in all and can lead to loss of strength, increased body-fat, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, lack of mental clarity and even depression. This should give you a good idea as to how important this hormone is, as when levels are proper we thrive and when they are enhanced each aspect that is damaged when levels are low are just that, far enhanced when levels are high and beyond normal natural production.
Synthetic testosterone was first synthesized in the 1930’s thanks to German chemists Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka which led to the hormone being mass produced and made ready for human use. The feat was so astounding that both Butenandt and Ruzicka received a Nobel Prize for their work and since that time testosterone knowledge and understanding has only grown.
From Butenandt and Ruzicka’s work many variations of the hormone have hit the shelves the past 100 years but there is an important note that must not be ignored; testosterone is simply testosterone, regardless of the form. While there are many forms, each form is comprised and compounded of the exact same hormone and the mode of action is the same with all, as its very nature is unchanged regardless of the form. As there are many forms the most common include Testosterone-Propionate, Testosterone-Enanthate, Testosterone-Cypionate, Testosterone-Suspension, as well as many various mixtures such as Sustanon-250 and Omnadren. While each form is pure testosterone its mode of action regarding release and duration will vary with each one as each has a different ester attached. The ester attached is not a hormone, it does not affect the direct mode of action; however, depending on the size of the ester, as they can range from large to small, the larger the ester the more mass it takes up in the compound; the smaller the ester the less mass it takes up thereby giving more active testosterone to the total compound. When you understand the benefits of testosterone, as we will discuss you can then largely understand the hormone; however, when you understand the various esters are differing and size and that they affect release and active duration, then you can understand fully and differentiate from one form to the next.

The Benefits of Testosterone:

By its nature testosterone is both highly anabolic and androgenic and is as anabolic as it is androgenic. Through its mode of action testosterone increases nitrogen retention in the muscles thereby increasing protein synthesis and allowing more protein to be stored in the muscles. As protein is essential for both growth and muscle tissue preservation the advent of increased nitrogen retention is invaluable. In many ways this is one of the hormones most important functions as most who supplement with testosterone are doing so to enhance these attributes.
Testosterone also plays a vital role in our metabolic rate; first, by promoting muscle tissue growth we effectively increase our metabolic rate, as more tissue equals a greater metabolism. Further, there are many hormones in the body known as muscle destroying hormones, most notably cortisol; testosterone has the ability to stave off and block such hormones that promote fat gain and make losing stored body-fat very difficult.
While the benefits to testosterone use will vary depending on both individual response and dosing levels other benefits such as increased IGF 1 production, a peptide hormone of an incredible anabolic nature; increased red blood cell count thereby promoting endurance and performance to a greater degree. Further and often underappreciated, increased levels of testosterone greatly enhance our ability to recover from strenuous activity. The sooner and faster we recover the more efficient we are and in the world of athletics this is beyond a welcomed trait.

The Side-Effects of Testosterone:

In healthy adult men, when used responsibly testosterone is generally very well-tolerated and easy to control in-terms of negative or adverse side-effects. While all anabolic androgenic steroids do carry with them possible negative side-effects it is important to keep in mind they are by no means guaranteed. All medications both steroidal and non-steroidal alike carry with them the possibility of negative side-effects; in-fact, many over the counter medications many use daily carry with them a much higher risk of side-effects than most all anabolic steroids and certainly testosterone.
Regardless of the form of testosterone you choose the possible negative side-effects remain the same with each one; however, some claim some forms are worse for them than others; however, this is largely mental deception as the active hormone is the same in each form. The most common side-effects to testosterone use are brought on by the hormones conversion to estrogen via the aromatase process. Due to this mode of action such side-effects as water retention or bloat, Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) high blood pressure and cholesterol issues can be the most common. While each of these negative side-effects is a possibility, thankfully remedy and solutions to the problems are available and for the healthy and responsible user largely avoidable and of little concern. However, there is one side-effect that is absolutely assured in all men who supplement with testosterone regardless of their personal health; testicular atrophy. Through supplemental use of testosterone, any testosterone form, when exogenous testosterone enters the body natural production of the hormone is no longer necessary and production will necessarily come to a stop. As testosterone is produced in the testicles in men, once exogenous testosterone enters the body and natural production comes to a halt the testicles shrink; however, once exogenous use is discontinued and natural production begins again the testicles return to their normal size. In most cases testosterone production will return to its previous normal state assuming we have been using it responsibly; however, if you suffered from low testosterone before you began therapy your levels will only return to their previous low state. An important note, once we discontinue testosterone use there are things we can do to speed up the recovery process, this is generally known as a post cycle therapy (PCT) plan and such a plan is highly advised. The sooner you can obtain your normal natural testosterone production, wherever the level may fall the better off you’ll be and the more gains from the exogenous use you’ll be able to hold onto.
As estrogen related side-effects due to synthetic use can be very problematic there is a solution. As these effects are caused by the conversion process brought on by the aromatase enzyme, by supplementing with an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex or Letrozole we can greatly reduce such affects and many times completely eliminate them. Just as important, as it pertains to blood pressure, cholesterol and other similar actions, a healthy diet is imperative; diets that are sufficient in healthy Omega Fats as well as those who condition with regular cardiovascular training greatly reduce the chances of many negative effects commonly associated with many anabolic steroids including testosterone.

Testosterone & Other Steroids:

For most who stack various anabolic steroids, while a simple cycle of testosterone only can be greatly beneficial and highly effective many will inevitably want more. It is important to understand; most all anabolic androgenic steroids will suppress your natural testosterone production, although to varying degrees suppression will occur. For this reason it is of the utmost importance we supplement and build the foundation of our cycles around the testosterone hormone in order to keep at least some of the hormone in the body for proper function; not to mention, as we know it is highly beneficial.

Testosterone Cycles & Doses:

No matter the goal, be it bulking, cutting or simply increasing athletic performance, you’ll be hard pressed to find another steroid more apt for the purpose(s) in such a well-tolerated manner than testosterone. While there is no set dose that is absolutely perfect there are guidelines and standards many go by that have proven to be both safe and effective. Most who are just beginning and who are looking for a performance edge will generally supplement with 400-500mg of testosterone per week. This is a very powerful and effective dose and the most easily controlled of all performance level dosing’s; so much so in each regard many veteran users rarely go over this amount. While 500mg is commonly used higher doses are far from rare; especially when you enter the realm of the hardcore trainer, particularly in power lifting and bodybuilding. 1,000mg is very common among these groups of people and 1,500mg per week is by no means unheard of in competitive circles. However, as there are risks you need to understand there is a very real risk to reward ratio; the greater the dose often the greater the results; however, the greater the dose the greater the potential is for negative side-effects. In the end responsible use will always prove to be best but always understand the effects of abuse are on you and you alone.
In terms of duration, how long testosterone use will last, this can vary a great deal as well but again there are proven methods. Generally most will find 8 weeks to be the minimum time frame for testosterone use with 12-16 weeks being far more optimal if positive benefits are not only going to be achieved but made permanent in any way. Yes, you can absolutely use testosterone longer than 16 weeks but again, be aware of the risk to reward ratio we spoke of just a few short moments ago as it not only applies to dosing but duration as well.