Pushtoday
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
by Reggie Johal
Prohormones exert effects through several different pathways, but the ones most important to people considering using them are their actions on the body's androgenic, estrogenic and progestogenic receptors. It is through these receptors that prohormone effects are largely mediated.
Prohormones, like anabolic steroids, are androgen agonists. This means they work through the androgen receptor. A strong androgen receptor agonist means effects related to the male hormone testosterone will be prominent, These include increased aggression, sex drive, alpha male type characteristics in general.
There's also a heightened risk of side effects related to high androgen levels such as an increased susceptibility to hair loss and acne. Side effects are very individual in nature and depend on the person taking the prohormone.
Linked to these androgenic effects is the propensity for prohormones to induce sizeable increases in muscle strength, large muscle gains, and a hardening effect on the muscles. Prohormones that don't convert to estrogen (such as Epistane or RPN's Havoc) tend to exhibit these types of muscle gains with no water retention.
Prohormones can also cause effects via estrogen and progesterone receptors. These effects tend to be similar. Prohormones that convert to estrogen and progesterone have the ability to cause large increases in mass and strength, although much of the mass is of a poor quality visually and associated with water retention more than anything else. Estrogenic side effects are feared by most bodybuilders and include increased water weight, increased susceptibility to fat gain in the presence of high estrogen and, worst of all, gynecomastia.
While there are some products almost exclusively androgenic in nature with little to no risk of estrogenic/progestogenic side effects (such as Epistane or Havoc), the reverse is not true. Compounds with high affinity for estrogen and progesterone receptors will still have an impact on the androgen receptor. You will often hear of prohormones being called androgenic or estrogenic or even both, but this is often based on their primary method of action. All prohormones have an androgenic effect at some level, as they all primarily work via their effect on the androgen receptor.
Separate from their effects via androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors, prohormones also differ in their impact on other body systems. Typically, strong androgens are useful for promoting strength gains via the central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, independent of their anabolic or muscle building effects. Prohormones promote enhanced red blood cell production, which is why users of prohormones usually experience greater pumps and vascularity.
Generally speaking, liver toxicity is a concern only for methylated, oral compounds (which most prohormones are). Individual prohormones can differ greatly in effect.
[h=3]Prohormones: Stacks and Stacking[/h]
A common question I see in forums and in emails sent to me at ProhormoneDB is: What is a good prohormone stack? To figure that out, let's look at what a stack is.
In a nutshell, stacking refers to taking more than one prohormone or steroid at the same time. Stacks are used to get a different combination of effects. One prohormone might be good at adding wet mass, so a complement to that might be to take a prohormone that promotes dry gains. One prohormone might be know for being risk for gyno, while another might help to limit that side, so the two are combined. Different prohormones have different effects, and stacking is a methodology some users apply to maximize benefits while minimizing sides.
So what makes a good stack? Although some prohormones are known for having a specific effect on users, it's important you understand that each person reacts differently. What works for one person might not work for you. So my suggestion: before you do any stack, take each prohormone individually to observe how your body reacts. If Superdrol doesn't work that well for you as a standalone, then it's not going to be effective in stack either. Once you find two prohormones that you respond well to, it MIGHT be worthwhile to explore using them together.
Some things to look at when considering a stack include the strength of the prohormone or steroid and whether or not the compound is methylated.
A good way to determine relative strength is to consider the Class rating of the prohormone or steroid. TunedSports.com has a good class rating chart:
Class I
These compounds are non-methylated (liver friendly), have low risk of sides, typically produce easy to maintain gains and have easier to plan cycles. These also make great ‘stackers’ for more experienced users. An over the counter PCT will suffice for Class 1 compounds.
Furazadrol, Furaguno, Winadrol, Winabol - Non-Methylated, great cutter and stacker Propadrol - Non-Methylated, solid cutter and stacker 11-OXO, 11-Test - Non-Methylated, stellar cutter, cortisol control BOLD, EQ-PLEX - Non-Methylated, solid bulker, increases appetite
Class II
Class II compounds are methylated which means liver protection is required. Side effects are typically greater than Class I compounds, however gains are often better with as well. Prescription grade PCT regiments are recommended for Class II compounds, however, over the counter will suffice for some users.
Halodrol, H-Drol, Halo-D - Methylated, great multi-purpose compound Promagnon, P-Mag - Methylated, comparable to H-Drol, better bulker Protodrol - Methylated, recent to market, solid cutter/recomp
Class III
These compounds are for advanced users who've previously completed 2-3 successful cycles. Side effects are more common than with Class II compounds, gains can be harder to maintain post cycle, and a prescription grade post cycle therapy regiment is recommended. Cycles using Class III compounds tend to be shorter due to the increased occurrence of sides.
Tren and clones - non-Methylated, great recomp/bulker Epistane, Havoc - Methylated, great cutter, estrogen control M-1,4ADD - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Max LMG and clones - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Dymethazine - Methylated, bulker, comparable to Superdrol
Class IV These are the strongest compounds and typically produce rapid gains, but come with significant risk of sides. These compounds are for experienced users only.
Pheraplex - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Superdrol, S-Drol, M-Drol - Methylated, great bulker, very potent Mass Tabs - Methylated, contains Superdrol
Using the above info as a guide, you probably wouldn't want to stack two Class IV compounds. You usually want to go two classes lower that the highest. You also wouldn't want to stack two compounds that have a reputation for a lot of sides (i.e. Max LMG and Super). Stay away from stacks with compounds that do the same thing (M-1 and Phera). Go for compounds that complement each other (Bulker with a cutter, dry gainer with a wet).
Also consider whether or not the compound is methylated. You usually don't want to stack two methylated compounds, as the risk of liver dysfunction can be much greater. Some methyls are known to have a much greater risk of sides than other. Epistane, despite being a methyl, has a good reputation as being milder on the liver than many of the other methyls. Same for Protodrol. Super and Tren have a reputation as being harsh on the liver.
Good sample stacks:
Havoc/Furazadrol
Epistane/Halodrol
Pheraplex/BOLD
P-Mag/H-Drol
Superdrol/Propadrol
The above are just some potential suggestions. Everyone responds differently, and it's important that you evaluate your body's response to each individual compound before you stack.
Two things to keep in mind when using prohormones or designer steroids, and for life in general:
1. Slow and steady wins the race
2. More is not necessarily better!
Prohormones exert effects through several different pathways, but the ones most important to people considering using them are their actions on the body's androgenic, estrogenic and progestogenic receptors. It is through these receptors that prohormone effects are largely mediated.
Prohormones, like anabolic steroids, are androgen agonists. This means they work through the androgen receptor. A strong androgen receptor agonist means effects related to the male hormone testosterone will be prominent, These include increased aggression, sex drive, alpha male type characteristics in general.
There's also a heightened risk of side effects related to high androgen levels such as an increased susceptibility to hair loss and acne. Side effects are very individual in nature and depend on the person taking the prohormone.
Linked to these androgenic effects is the propensity for prohormones to induce sizeable increases in muscle strength, large muscle gains, and a hardening effect on the muscles. Prohormones that don't convert to estrogen (such as Epistane or RPN's Havoc) tend to exhibit these types of muscle gains with no water retention.
Prohormones can also cause effects via estrogen and progesterone receptors. These effects tend to be similar. Prohormones that convert to estrogen and progesterone have the ability to cause large increases in mass and strength, although much of the mass is of a poor quality visually and associated with water retention more than anything else. Estrogenic side effects are feared by most bodybuilders and include increased water weight, increased susceptibility to fat gain in the presence of high estrogen and, worst of all, gynecomastia.
While there are some products almost exclusively androgenic in nature with little to no risk of estrogenic/progestogenic side effects (such as Epistane or Havoc), the reverse is not true. Compounds with high affinity for estrogen and progesterone receptors will still have an impact on the androgen receptor. You will often hear of prohormones being called androgenic or estrogenic or even both, but this is often based on their primary method of action. All prohormones have an androgenic effect at some level, as they all primarily work via their effect on the androgen receptor.
Separate from their effects via androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors, prohormones also differ in their impact on other body systems. Typically, strong androgens are useful for promoting strength gains via the central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, independent of their anabolic or muscle building effects. Prohormones promote enhanced red blood cell production, which is why users of prohormones usually experience greater pumps and vascularity.
Generally speaking, liver toxicity is a concern only for methylated, oral compounds (which most prohormones are). Individual prohormones can differ greatly in effect.
[h=3]Prohormones: Stacks and Stacking[/h]
A common question I see in forums and in emails sent to me at ProhormoneDB is: What is a good prohormone stack? To figure that out, let's look at what a stack is.
In a nutshell, stacking refers to taking more than one prohormone or steroid at the same time. Stacks are used to get a different combination of effects. One prohormone might be good at adding wet mass, so a complement to that might be to take a prohormone that promotes dry gains. One prohormone might be know for being risk for gyno, while another might help to limit that side, so the two are combined. Different prohormones have different effects, and stacking is a methodology some users apply to maximize benefits while minimizing sides.
So what makes a good stack? Although some prohormones are known for having a specific effect on users, it's important you understand that each person reacts differently. What works for one person might not work for you. So my suggestion: before you do any stack, take each prohormone individually to observe how your body reacts. If Superdrol doesn't work that well for you as a standalone, then it's not going to be effective in stack either. Once you find two prohormones that you respond well to, it MIGHT be worthwhile to explore using them together.
Some things to look at when considering a stack include the strength of the prohormone or steroid and whether or not the compound is methylated.
A good way to determine relative strength is to consider the Class rating of the prohormone or steroid. TunedSports.com has a good class rating chart:
Class I
These compounds are non-methylated (liver friendly), have low risk of sides, typically produce easy to maintain gains and have easier to plan cycles. These also make great ‘stackers’ for more experienced users. An over the counter PCT will suffice for Class 1 compounds.
Furazadrol, Furaguno, Winadrol, Winabol - Non-Methylated, great cutter and stacker Propadrol - Non-Methylated, solid cutter and stacker 11-OXO, 11-Test - Non-Methylated, stellar cutter, cortisol control BOLD, EQ-PLEX - Non-Methylated, solid bulker, increases appetite
Class II
Class II compounds are methylated which means liver protection is required. Side effects are typically greater than Class I compounds, however gains are often better with as well. Prescription grade PCT regiments are recommended for Class II compounds, however, over the counter will suffice for some users.
Halodrol, H-Drol, Halo-D - Methylated, great multi-purpose compound Promagnon, P-Mag - Methylated, comparable to H-Drol, better bulker Protodrol - Methylated, recent to market, solid cutter/recomp
Class III
These compounds are for advanced users who've previously completed 2-3 successful cycles. Side effects are more common than with Class II compounds, gains can be harder to maintain post cycle, and a prescription grade post cycle therapy regiment is recommended. Cycles using Class III compounds tend to be shorter due to the increased occurrence of sides.
Tren and clones - non-Methylated, great recomp/bulker Epistane, Havoc - Methylated, great cutter, estrogen control M-1,4ADD - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Max LMG and clones - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Dymethazine - Methylated, bulker, comparable to Superdrol
Class IV These are the strongest compounds and typically produce rapid gains, but come with significant risk of sides. These compounds are for experienced users only.
Pheraplex - Methylated, great bulker, wet gains Superdrol, S-Drol, M-Drol - Methylated, great bulker, very potent Mass Tabs - Methylated, contains Superdrol
Using the above info as a guide, you probably wouldn't want to stack two Class IV compounds. You usually want to go two classes lower that the highest. You also wouldn't want to stack two compounds that have a reputation for a lot of sides (i.e. Max LMG and Super). Stay away from stacks with compounds that do the same thing (M-1 and Phera). Go for compounds that complement each other (Bulker with a cutter, dry gainer with a wet).
Also consider whether or not the compound is methylated. You usually don't want to stack two methylated compounds, as the risk of liver dysfunction can be much greater. Some methyls are known to have a much greater risk of sides than other. Epistane, despite being a methyl, has a good reputation as being milder on the liver than many of the other methyls. Same for Protodrol. Super and Tren have a reputation as being harsh on the liver.
Good sample stacks:
Havoc/Furazadrol
Epistane/Halodrol
Pheraplex/BOLD
P-Mag/H-Drol
Superdrol/Propadrol
The above are just some potential suggestions. Everyone responds differently, and it's important that you evaluate your body's response to each individual compound before you stack.
Two things to keep in mind when using prohormones or designer steroids, and for life in general:
1. Slow and steady wins the race
2. More is not necessarily better!
