Prelude

One of the hottest topics the past few years has been over the counter (otc) post cycle therapy (pct), the debate continues to range on whether or not a completely natural herbal based over the counter pct is viable when compared with a SERM or prescription grade PCT.  TunedSports believes that a SERM or prescrtion grade PCT remains the most proven and effective post cycle therapy regiment available and should be the logical choice, however as new supplements come to market more and more users continue to experiment with over the counter cycle recovery methods.

We won’t get into the whole SERM vs OTC debate, this article makes the assumption that you’re already done the research to understand the differences between the two and have decided to go over the counter for your PCT regiment.

Understanding PCT

When providing your body with an abundance of testosterone through ingested prohormones or designer steroids, your body begins to halt it’s natural production, thus by the end of a cycle, many users testosterone production is shut down.  When a user stops their cycle and thus stopping extraneous testosterone supplementation their bodies endocrine system goes into a state of shock as it needs to begin resuming normal production from a halted state, this primarily, is why we have post cycle therapy.  By implementing a proper PCT we can “assist” our bodies with resuming normal function, balancing hormones (estrogen in particular) and help in some cases with some of the annoyances user experience during PCT (such as lethargy, lack of libido etc).  It should also be noted that neglecting to PCT or do so properly can result in several very undesirable results such as..

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression (Can range mild to severe)
• Body Aches/Pains (Can range mild to severe)
• Impotence and other sexual function side effects.
• Loss of gains made on cycle.

This is just a simple overview of WHY everyone should use a PCT, to really understand how prohormone usage and designer steroids affect your body please take sometime to do some research on google if you’re interested enough, as you should be.

Post Cycle Therapy – Goals

The overall goal for PCT is to help our body resume normal hormonal functions by accomplishing the following.

• Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• Regulate Estrogen.
• Restore HPTA function.
• Reducing SHBG.
• Control Cortisol Effects.

Another benefit of utilizing a post cycle therapy regiment is it often helps maintain muscle gains post cycle and in many users will improve libido.

Choosing the Arsenal

Unfortunately when dealing with over the counter natural supplements there isn’t a single product available that will, on it’s own, be a consistently complete solution for our PCT, therefore we will use a combination of products to cover our bases.  Keep in mind that for some cycles an over the counter PCT will not suffice, in general anything considered a ‘strong’ compound will need a prescription grade PCT.  So without further ado here is the arsenal for our PCT.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – P.C.T Assist – An “all-in-one” product that contains several proven natural ingredients shown to increase testosterone levels while helping to regulate other hormonal levels (such as estrogen).
2. iForce Nutrition – Reversitol – Another product designed primarily for PCT usage, contains dual estrogen regulating compounds with ATD and 6-Bromo while also including testosterone boosting additives.
3. NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant – Perhaps natures best antioxidant a great addition to any OTC PCT which has also shown to improve brain and nerve tissue.

Now you’re probably thinking, how much is this going to cost? Well for all three one should pay no more than $100 if you shop online, if your health is not worth $100 then you probably shouldn’t be using pro-hormones or designer steroids to begin with.

Putting Together

You should begin your PCT immediately post cycle, begin roughly 24 hours after your final dosage of whatever designer steroid or pro-hormone you’re using.   Our PCT from start to finish will take about five weeks total in length, PCT regiments are most commonly four weeks however when going with an over the counter PCT it’s best to let it ride into a fifth week.

• Week 1 – PCT Assist (3 capsules, twice daily)…  NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant (3 capsules, split dosage am/pm)
• Week 2 - PCT Assist (3 capsules, twice daily)… iForce Reversitol (3 capsules, split dosage am/pm)… NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant (3 capsules, split dosage am/pm)
• Week 3 – PCT Assist (3 capsules, twice daily)… iForce Reversitol (2 capsules, split dosage am/pm)… NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant (3 capsules, split dosage am/pm)
• Week 4 – PCT Assist (3 capsules, twice daily)… iForce Reversitol (2 capsules, split dosage am/pm)… NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant (3 capsules, split dosage am/pm)
• Week 5 – iForce Reversitol (1 capsule)

It’s recommended that users who supplement with Cycle or Life support on cycle should continue it throughout the duration of PCT as well.

Conclusion

This is just one example of a sample over the counter PCT, there’s various opinions and post cycle regiments out there, however believe that the combination of products used within PCT offers perhaps the best over the counter PCT available as new products become available, we will continue to update this article.

Disclaimer

We are not doctors, therefore before starting any supplement or training regiment you should consult with your doctor.  The information being provided is simply personal opinion.

Prelude

Superdrol is a powerful anabolic designer steroid originally brought to market by Designer Supplements in 2005, however due “heat” revolving the compound by the FDA the original “Superdrol” was pulled from the market, however like many other compounds, has been made available again courtesy of superdrol clones.  Below is a short listing of two high quality superdrol clones.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – M-Drol
2. iForce Nutrition – Methadrol
3. PHF SuperMass

Both clones will be the base point for our article as they’re both arguably the most popular and common superdrol clones, between the two there are no known differences as they’re both the same active compound (2a, 17a Dimethyl Etiocholan 3-One, 17b-Ol).  They are also priced competitively, contain 10mg of active per pill and contain 90 pills respectively and since the original Superdrol is not available, going with a clone is the only option, however quality clones will produce identical results to the original superdrol.

Superdrol is perhaps the most powerful compound available on the legal market, it also happens to be one of the most toxic as well, therefore Superdrol is only for advanced users that have done several(3+) designer steroid or pro-hormone cycles in the past, users should also have several years experience of proper lifting and dieting and should ideally have a starting weight of at least 200 Lbs.  There’s also some progression that should be followed, jumping into Superdrol too early will give most users little future options as it’s essentially at the top of the designer steroid chain.

NOTE:  There are several products that are also based on the Supderdrol compound however have slight variations that may result in better/lesser gains and or a reduced/increased risk of side effects, here are a few examples of these products: iForce Dymethazine, Anabolic Innovations Cynostane and IDS Mass Tabs.

Maintaining Health

Superdrol is an oral based designer steroid that’s processed by the liver, Superdrol is also a methylated compound and thus puts additional strain on our bodies liver.  It’s been well documented that superdrol is one of the harshest compounds available on the market it will negatively impact blood pressure, lipid values, cholesterol levels and will put stress on the bodies endocrine system, there is also additional side effects (discussed shortly) that can also present themselves, however in most cases they’re typically minor and a slight inconvenience.

However with proper planning and preventative supplementation we can assist our bodies with protecting our livers, lipid values, cholesterol levels and help control adverse blood pressure effects, this may seem like a daunting task finding supplements to tackle all of these concerns, however luckily several supplement companies have been making “all-in-one” cycle protection products that work to address many of these potential side effects and subsequently an “all-in-one” product will be the basis for our on cycle support.  Therefore ANYONE running Superdrol, is required to supplement with one of the following products throughout the entire duration of the cycle.

1. Anabolic Innovations – Cycle Support (Powder)
2. Anabolic Innovations – Life Support (Capsules)
3. Competitive Edge Labs – Cycle Assist (Capsules)

Either of the three are suitable choices, cost should be the deciding factor or whether you prefer capsules or powder.  A general rule of thumb is to pre-load either of the products two weeks prior to beginning your cycle and continue to use throughout the entire cycle from start to finish, buy accordingly so you have enough on hand.   These products will assist your body with maintaining healthy blood pressure, prostate health, liver function and lipid profile by utilizing popular herbs such as Hawthorn Berry (BP), NAC (liver), Milk Thistle (liver), Saw Palmetto (prostate) among others.  Please follow the manufactures recommended dosage (as per bottle) as it’s the dosage known to work best.

Where as with many cycles, one of the products above would be sufficient on it’s own for cycle protection, however for Superdrol it’s recommended to take the route “better safe than sorry” and provide our bodies with additional protection by supplementing with the following.

1. Himalaya LiverCare (Liv.52) – Will provide strong liver protection in conjunction with an the “all-in-one” products, very affordable at under $20 for a bottle.  For Superdrol cycles 3 capsules per day is recommended, use throughout the duration of the “on” period, can use in PCT as well.
2. NOW Grape Seed Antioxidant – Grape Seeds have shown in many studies to provide benefits in regards to blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid values by limiting lipid oxidation.  For Superdrol cycle, 3 capsules per day is recommended, use throughout the duration of the “on” period, can use in PCT as well.  Under $10.
3. (Optional) Universal Animal Flex or NOW Joint Support – Superdrol is non-aromatizing compound therefore low estrogen levels may create joint discomfort, also due to the possible rapid strength gains on superdrol it’s recommended to supplement throughout the entire cycle with a joint support product.

We also recommend having Taurine on hand with Superdrol to control back pumps, for more information on combating other sides please read our article combating cycle sides.

Dosing

Superdrol is a very strong compound therefore it’s generally best to start with a lower dosage, asses tolerance and slowly increase it to the desired range.  For first time Superdrol users generally 20mg is sufficient and should be an ideal first cycle dosage, superdrol cycles are typically 3-4 weeks in length with 4 weeks being the most common, typically after 4 weeks the gains begin to slow and side effects increase thus cycles longer than 4 weeks aren’t common or recommended.  Below are two common dosing protocols.

Superdrol dosing for new superdrol users:  Week1:  10mg / per day | Week 2-4:  20mg / per day

Superdrol dosing for experienced superdrol users:  Week1:  20mg / per day | Week 2-4:  30mg / per day

If going with a 3-week cycle instead of a 4-week cycle, don’t use a lower first week dosage, keep it the same the entire way through the cycle (example week 1-3:  20mg/20mg/20mg per day).  More experienced users with past Superdrol experience can experiment with dosages to around 40mg, however the added benefit may be negligible compared to the added sides at high dosages.

Superdrol works relatively quickly, therefore the majority of users typically begin to experience the effects of Superdrol within 5-12 days, depending on the user.  Superdrol has an average half life and should have it’s dosages split, ideally with one dosage in the morning and one around dinner time.  On workout days it’s advisable to take a dosage roughly one hour prior to starting your lifting session, it’s also advisable to avoid taking a dosage close to bed time as it can alter sleep patterns.

Ideally each Superdrol dosage should be taken simultaneously with fish or flax seed oil to enhance absorption, it’s also recommended to consume 16-24 ounces of water at each Superdrol dosage.

Common Side Effects

The occurrence rate of side effects while using  Superdrol would be from moderate to common, however they’re completely user unique, some users may not experience any side effects, while other users will experience a combination of sides.  It should be noted that the majority of these side effects are simply of inconvenience more so than a possible health affecting issue and for the most part can be resolved through simple supplementation, take sometime to read our article on combating side effects.

• Decreased Libido/Sexual Function
• Lethargy / Fatigue
• Increased hair growth / Increased hair shedding
• Puffy / Sensitive Nipples
• Joint Discomfort
• Back Pumps (Dull pain in back after/during workouts)
• Increased aggression, head aches, flushing and various other sides can happen as well.

Typical Results

Results will vary based upon the dosage, experience, diet and many other factors, in general Superdrol will provide exceptional lean body mass gains, excellent strength gains and endurance in the gym.  Superdrol works best when used in a Bulk due to it’s ability to help our bodies pack on the muscle when eating a clean caloric surplus diet, with that said Superdrol can also be used in a cutting or recomp cycle, however other compounds are typically better suited than Superdrol for those diet types.

• When used in a bulking diet, gains can range from 12-20lbs on a 4 week cycle at 20mg.
• When used in a recomp diet, gains can range from 7-10lbs on a 4 week cycle at 20mg, while also possibly reducing body fat 0-2%.
• When used in a cutting diet, gains can range from 4-6lbs on a 4 week cycle at 20mg, while also possibly reducing body fat 1-3%.

The ‘gain’ ranges above are considered normal, however some users have reported gains in upwards of 20lbs and some users may not experience many noticeable gains at all, results are largely dictated by diet.

Post Cycle Therapy

Possibly the most important item on the menu is post cycle therapy, when taking a foreign substance (Superdrol/M-Drol/Methadrol) that creates testosterone your body begins to shut down it’s normal production, when you stop taking a pro-hormone or steroid compound your body needs a way to jump start it’s own natural production again, while limiting endocrine system stress, this is why we need post cycle therapy.  It’s not just as simple as that however, when coming off of a compound your body goes through a very stressful phase as your hormones are out of balance, failure to mitigate these imbalances can result in a unique set of side effects not related to the Superdrol compound.  Below is just a *few* of the noted side effects of an improper post cycle therapy regiment, it should also be noted that the occurrence of side effects in the post cycle stage is more common than the “on-cycle” phase, however a properly planned post cycle therapy regiment can mitigate these risks.

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression (Can range mild to severe)
• Body Aches/Pains (Can range mild to severe)
• Impotence and other sexual function side effects.
• Loss of gains made on cycle.

As you can see, these are side affects we definitely want to avoid at all costs, so let’s start discussing a proper Superdrol PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Post Cycle General:  You should begin your PCT regiment immediately after your pro-hormone or designer steroid cycle, it should begin the day after your last dosage of Superdrol.  PCT regiments are typically 4-6 weeks depending on the type of compound being used, user and type of PCT.  As noted in the previous section under “Maintaining Health”, you should continue to use Life Support, Cycle Assist or Cycle Support throughout your entire cycle, INCLUDING your PCT regiment.

• Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• Regulate Estrogen.
• Restore HPTA function.
• Reducing SHBG.
• Control Cortisol Effects.

Over The Counter:  An OTC (Over The Counter) post cycle therapy regiment is not an acceptable PCT for Superdrol, for Superdrol cycles a Research Drug is REQUIRED.

Research Drugs:  The MOST effective PCT regiment is one that includes a prescription/research drug, however some users prefer not to go this route, you may be asking why would someone go another route if this is the most proven and effective PCT method.  There’s various reasons but one to point out is that these drugs aren’t technically available without a prescription, these are also very powerful drugs that can also have their own side effects, notice that I say they aren’t “technically” available that’s because they can be purchased online at research drug sites, I won’t provide you with any links, if you chose to go this route googling for these sites will won’t take you long.

1. Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).  Comes in Liquid or Pill form.

2. Optional (But highly-recommended):  Competitive Edge Labs – P.C.T Assist

3. Optional (But recommended):  Competitive Edge Labs – Suppress-C

It’s recommended that Users with deep pockets can also add in a natural testosterone booster such as S.A.N. MyoTEST, in the event you go this route, it would be best to run a test booster starting week two through week six.  Below is an example PCT when using a research drug (such as Nolvadex aka Tamoxifen Citrate, as we are in this case).

Week 1 Nolvadex 30mg & P.C.T Assist (6 caps)| Week 2-3 Nolvadex 20mg & P.C.T Assist (6 caps) | Week 4 Nolvadex 10mg & P.C.T Assist (6 caps)

Example Cycle

This is an example cycle from start to finish to give you an idea how it should look, assumes you’re using Nolvadex.  From start to finish our properly designed cycle will take approximately 10 weeks total.

• Week 1-2:  Pre-load Cycle Support, Cycle Assist or Life Support @ Bottle Recommended dosages.
• Week 2:  Cycle/Life Support | Superdrol 10mg
• Week 3-6:  Cycle/Life Support | Superdrol 20mg
• Week 7:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 30mg | PCT Assist (6 Caps).
• Week 8-9:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 20mg | PCT Assist (6 Caps).
• Week 10:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 10mg | PCT Assist (6 Caps).

Supplements

It’s recommended that users supplement with a quality Multi-Vitamin and Fish Oil throughout the ENTIRE cycle.  You should stop taking any other supplements on Cycle as well such as Creatine, NO, Test Boosters and so on, these should be saved for PCT in order to preserve strength.  It’s heavily recommended that during PCT, you add Creatine and a Cell Volumizer type of product.  Supplementing with Protein is highly recommended on cycle

Interactions

Users who are on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication may experienced increased anxiety/depression while on cycle and during PCT.  It is HEAVILY advised not to drink alcoholic drinks while on Cycle & PCT, doing so will put significant strain on the liver and can result in a major health hazard.  Users should avoid using stimulants on cycle as blood pressure may elevate too high and possibly cause fainting.  In general, avoid starting any new medications while on cycle or just before, if you’re concerned about a possible interaction consult your doctor.  Users should also eat a clean diet on cycle.

Disclaimer

We are not doctors, therefore before starting any supplement or training regiment you should consult with your doctor.  The information being provided is simply personal opinion.

Prelude

Popular anabolic designer steroid(s) Havoc and Epistane were simultaneously brought to market by Recomp Performance Nutrition and Innovative Body Enhancement respectively in 2007.  Epistane and Havoc have remained one of the most popular compounds available on the market due to it’s reputation as a dry compound that produces lean body mass and gains that are relatively easy to maintain post cycle, with minimal to moderate sides depending on the user.  Both Havoc (2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol) and Epistane (2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-etioallocholan-17b-ol) are essentially identical, are interchangeable and will produce similar/identical gains, throughout this article we will refer to them as Epi-Havoc.  It is not recommended that users without prior designer steroid or pro-hormone experience select Epi-Havoc as their first cycle, users should have at least one cycle under their belt prior to going with an Epistane or Havoc cycle.

Another documented benefit in *some* users is it’s ability to reduce existing cases of gynecomastia (or male breast tissue), this is due to it’s noted effect of depleting estrogen cells which can cause apoptosis in breast tissue (effectively reducing gyno), more on this later.

Maintaining Health

Both Epistane and Havoc are both oral based designer steroids that are processed by the liver, as such they’re methylated compounds thus put additional strain on our bodies liver.  Like many other compounds on the market Epi-Havoc can have a negative impact on blood pressure, lipid values, cholesterol levels and will put stress on the bodies endocrine system, there is also additional side effects (discussed shortly) that can also present themselves, however in most cases they’re typically minor and a slight inconvenience.  Luckily through proper planning and supplementation we can help our bodies protect our livers, lipid values, cholesterol levels and help control adverse blood pressure effects, these are all well documented side effects in just about every compound on the market, therefore supplement companies have been making “all-in-one” cycle protection products that work to prevent these side effects or reduce their magnitude.  Therefore ANYONE running Epistane or Havoc, is required to supplement with one of the following products throughout the entire duration of the cycle.

1. Anabolic Innovations – Cycle Support (Powder)
2. Anabolic Innovations – Life Support (Capsules)
3. Competitive Edge Labs – Cycle Assist (Capsules)

Either of the three are suitable choices, cost should be the deciding factor or whether you prefer capsules or powder.  A general rule of thumb is to pre-load either of the products two weeks prior to beginning your cycle and continue to use throughout the entire cycle from start to finish, buy accordingly so you have enough on hand.   These products will assist your body with maintaining healthy blood pressure, prostate health, liver function and lipid profile by utilizing popular herbs such as Hawthorn Berry (BP), NAC (liver), Milk Thistle (liver), Saw Palmetto (prostate) among others.  Please follow the manufactures recommended dosage (as per bottle) as it’s the dosage known to work best.

For Epistane/Havoc cycles we also recommend running Himalaya LiverCare (Liv.52) as it will provide strong liver protection in conjunction with one of the products listed above, additionally Himalaya LiverCare is a steal at under $20, for an Epi-Havoc cycle 1-2 capsules per day will suffice.  LiverCare (Liv.52) should be started one week before cycle and continued throughout the entire duration (however can be stopped the first day of PCT for Epistane/Havoc cycles).

Dosing

For first time Epi-Havoc users it’s recommended to begin with 30mg and then slowly work it up to 40mg which is considered to be Epi-Havocs “sweet spot”.  More experienced users with more advanced past pro-hormone or designer steroid usage can experiment with dosages to around 60mg, however the added benefit may be negligible compared to the added sides/risk at high dosages.

The majority of users typically begin to experience the effects of Epi-Havoc within 10 to 20 days, depending on the user,the most common Epi-Havoc cycles are typically 4-5 weeks in length, however users with more advanced experience can run cycles in upwards of 6 weeks.  Many consider 5 weeks to be the ideal length for an Epistane or Havoc cycle, however 4 weeks will certainly suffice for many.  It is not recommended to run Epi-Havoc any longer than 6 weeks, as a methylated compound, significant strain is placed on the liver and over extended cycles can cause possible negative health side effects.

Epi-Havoc have  an average half life and should have it’s dosages split, ideally with one dosage in the morning, one after lunch and one around dinner time.  On workout days it’s advisable to take a dosage roughly one hour prior to starting your lifting session, it’s also advisable to avoid taking a dosage close to bed time as it can alter sleep patterns.

It’s also been stipulated that Epistane and Havoc both have a very short shelf life, it’s been said that Epi-Havoc will begin to loose it’s potency after six months of storage, therefore users buying in advance should plan accordingly, storing in a vacuum sealed apparatus may also extend shelf life.

Common Side Effects

The occurrence rate of side effects while using Epi-Havoc would be from mild to moderate, however they’re completely user unique, some users may not experience any side effects, while other users will experience a combination of sides.  It should be noted that the majority of these side effects are simply of inconvenience more so than a possible health affecting issue and for the most part can be resolved through simple supplementation, take sometime to read our article on combating side effects.

• Decreased Libido/Sexual Function
• Patterned Acne
• Hair Thinning/Shedding (Especially those prone to hair loss)
• Increased hair growth
• Puffy / Sensitive Nipples
• Sore/Aching Joints
• Back Pumps (Dull pain in back after/during workouts)
• Increased aggression, head aches, lethargy and various other sides can happen however aren’t terribly common.

It should be noted that due to Epistane/Havocs estrogen regulation, sore/aching joints is typically very common and we recommend users supplement from the get-go to avoid this, please read our combating side effects article for supplement suggestions for this.

Typical Results

Results will vary based upon the dosage, experience, diet and many other factors, in general Epistane and Havoc both provide excellent lean body mass gains and in many cases a reduction in body fat, as a compound it makes for a great cutter or recomp (gain muscle, lose fat simultaneously), it can also be used as part of a bulking diet, however isn’t as common.  Below assumes you’re running a 5 week cycle and are on a clean diet, above maintenance.  Those cutting may experience lower strength and size gains, but will be able to retain muscle while quickly losing fat.

• When used in a bulking diet, gains can range from 10-15+lbs on a 5 week cycle at 40mg.
• When used in a recomp diet, gains can range from 7-10lbs on a 5 week cycle at 40mg, while also possibly reducing body fat 1-3%.
• When used in a cutting diet, gains can range from 4-6lbs on a 5 week cycle at 40mg, while also possibly reducing body fat 2-4%.

It should be noted that the effectiveness of this compound seems to vary greatly by user, some users don’t respond to havoc or epistane, the ratio of non-responders on Epi-Havoc compared to other compounds is significantly higher.  The ‘gain’ ranges above are considered normal, however some users have reported gains in upwards of 20lbs and some users may not experience many noticeable gains at all.

Stacking

Epistane and Havoc can be stacked with other NON-Methylated compounds, it is critical that Epi-Havoc not be stacked with another Methylated compound, doing so can put serious strain on your liver.  Stacking Epi-Havoc with 11-OXO is an incredibly popular combination when used as part of a cutting cycle, however stacking two compounds should only be done by users with past pro-hormone and or designer steroid expiernece.  Below is a short list of compounds that are commonly stacked with Epi-Havoc.

1. BOLD (1,4AD)
2. 11-OXO (Adrenosterone)
3. Furazadrol or Furaguno
4. Propadrol

Post Cycle Therapy

Possibly the most important item on the menu is post cycle therapy, when taking a foreign substance (Epistane/Havoc) that creates testosterone your body begins to shut down it’s normal production, when you stop taking a pro-hormone or steroid compound your body needs a way to jump start it’s own natural production again, while limiting endocrine system stress, this is why we need post cycle therapy.  It’s not just as simple as that however, when coming off of a compound your body goes through a very stressful phase as your hormones are out of balance, failure to mitigate these imbalances can result in a unique set of side effects not related to the Epi-Havoc compound.  Below is just a *few* of the noted side effects of an improper post cycle therapy regiment, it should also be noted that the occurrence of side effects in the post cycle stage is more common than the “on-cycle” phase, however a properly planned post cycle therapy regiment can mitigate these risks.

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression (Can range mild to severe)
• Body Aches/Pains (Can range mild to severe)
• Impotence and other sexual function side effects.
• Loss of gains made on cycle.

As you can see, these are side affects we definitely want to avoid at all costs, so let’s start discussing a proper Epistane/Havoc PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Post Cycle General:  You should begin your PCT regiment immediately after your pro-hormmone or designer steroid cycle, it should begin the day after your last dosage of Epi-Havoc.  PCT regiments are tpyically 4-6 weeks depending on the type of compound being used, user and type of PCT.  As noted in the previous section under “Maintaining Health”, you should continue to use Life Support, Cycle Assist or Cycle Support throughout your entire cycle, INCLUDING your PCT regiment.

• Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• Regulate Estrogen.
• Restore HPTA function.
• Reducing SHBG.
• Control Cortisol Effects.

Over The Counter:  An OTC (Over The Counter) post cycle therapy regiment is simply that, a PCT that consists with strictly over the counter products that can be bought at major supplement outlets such as BodyBuilding.com or stores such as Vitamin shoppe or GNC.  The following is just an example PCT, you can interchange other similar products if you have a preference.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – PCT Assist.  An ALL purpose PCT product that will help boost testosterone production, help balance hormones and assist with estrogen regulation.
2. iForce Nutrition – Reversitol.  An effective Estrogen Regulator and Testosterone Booster.
3. Driven Sports – Lean Xtreme.  One of the most popular and proven products that control the effects of Cortisol.

When using an over the counter PCT for this compound, it’s recommended to run a 6-week PCT regiment, assuming you were using the products above, here is how you would schedule your PCT.

Week 1 PCT Assist, Lean Xtreme.  |   Week 1-5 PCT Assist, Reversitol, Lean Xtreme |  Week 5-6 Reversitol

For PCT Assist & Lean Xtreme, follow the manufacturers recommended dosage.  The first two weeks of Reversitol should be ran at 3 capsules per day, the following two weeks 2 capsules per day and the final week one capsule per day.  It should be noted that for Epistane/Havoc it’s heavily recommended to go with a Research Drug based PCT.

Research Drugs:  The MOST effective PCT regiment is one that includes a prescription/research drug, however some users prefer not to go this route, you may be asking why would someone go another route if this is the most proven and effective PCT method.  There’s various reasons but one to point out is that these drugs aren’t technically available without a prescription, these are also very powerful drugs that can also have their own side effects, notice that I say they aren’t “technically” available that’s because they can be purchased online at research drug sites, I won’t provide you with any links, if you chose to go this route googling for these sites will won’t take you long.

1. Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).  Comes in Liquid or Pill form.
3. Optional (But recommended):  Driven Sports Lean Xtreme

It’s reocmmended that Users with deep pockets can also add in a natural testosterone booster such as S.A.N. MyoTEST, in the event you go this route, it would be best to run a test booster starting week two through week six.  Below is an example PCT when using a research drug (such as Nolvadex aka Tamoxifen Citrate, as we are in this case).

Week 1-2 Nolvadex 20mg, Lean Xtreme (3 caps) | Week 2-4 Nolvadex 10mg, Lean Xtreme (3 caps)

Example Cycle

Cycle Example

This is an example cycle from start to finish to give you an idea how it should look, assumes you’re going with a prescription drug for PCT.  From start to finish our properly designed cycle will take approximately 11 weeks total.

• Week 1-2:  Pre-load Cycle Support, Cycle Assist or Life Support @ Bottle Recommended dosages.
• Week 2-3:  Cycle/Life Support | Havoc / Epistane 30mg
• Week 3-7:  Cycle/Life Support | Havoc / Epistane 40mg
• Week 7-9:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 20mg | Lean Xtreme.
• Week 9-11:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 10mg | Lean Xtreme

Drug Testing

Those being tested for elevated testosterone levels and or lowered estrogen levels will produce a positive test result while on Havoc/Epistane, it’s also important to note that if using a research/prescription drug for your PCT regiment, this will also cause a positive test result in many cases.

Supplements

It’s recommended that users supplement with a quality Multi-Vitamin and Fish Oil throughout the ENTIRE cycle.  You should stop taking any other supplements on Cycle as well such as Creatine, NO, Test Boosters and so on, these should be saved for PCT in order to preserve strength.  It’s heavily recommended that during PCT, you add Creatine and a Cell Volumizer type of product.  Supplementing with Protein is highly recommended on cycle

Interactions

Users who are on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication may experienced increased anxiety/depression while on cycle and during PCT.  It is HEAVILY advised not to drink alcoholic drinks while on Cycle & PCT, doing so will put significant strain on the liver and can result in a major health hazard.  Users should avoid using stimulants on cycle as blood pressure may elevate too high and possibly cause fainting.  In general, avoid starting any new medications while on cycle or just before, if you’re concerned about a possible interaction consult your doctor.  Users should also eat a clean diet on cycle.

Purchase

Havoc/Epistane can be purchased on popular bodybuilding supplement stores, below are some links to Epistane, Havoc along with a few popular clones of the products as well which offer a discounted price.

1. Recomp Performance Nutrition Havoc
2. PrimaForce Havoc
3. Innovative Body Enhancement Epistane
4. EST Methyl-E
5. Competitive Edge Labs E-Stane (Most popular)

Disclaimer

We are not doctors, therefore before starting any supplement or training regiment you should consult with your doctor.  The information being provided is simply personal opinion.

The Beginning

Protodrol is a new pro-hormone brought to market by iForce Nutrition one of the leading companies when it comes to ‘compounds’ and is promised to be one of the few methylated compounds that have minimal liver impact.  Protodrol is also one of the more affordable compounds available as one bottle is typically enough to run an entire cycle. It should also be noted that IBE has recently released a Protodrol clone named ‘Protomax’.

Note:  As with all of our other “informative bibles” as new information becomes available regarding Protodrol we will continuously update the information provided here.

Maintaining Health

Protodrol promises to be a relatively mild compound in regards to side effects, however is methylated and despite being proclaimed as “safe methyl technology” it’s better to be safe than sorry and follow the same regiment as one would with any other methylated compound.  Many herbal based supplements have been scientifically shown to produce desirable results when it comes to Blood Pressure, Liver Function and Lipid profiles.  Over the years several companies have begun creating “all-in-one” products designed specifically for prohormone and designer steroid cycles, these products have been a staple in thousands of users cycles with excellent results including blood work to backup their effectiveness.  Therefore ANYONE running a cycle of Protodrol will need to use one of the following products throughout the entire Cycle.

Anabolic Innovations – Life Support (Capsules)

Anabolic Innovations – Cycle Support (Powder)

Both are, for the most part, identical products the biggest difference is the form, whether you prefer to take pills or powder.  A general rule of thumb is to pre-load either one (Life Support or Cycle Support) two weeks prior to beginning your cycle and all the way through until the end, so buy accordingly so that you have enough on hand.  These products will assist your body with maintaining healthy blood pressure, liver function and lipid profile.

Dosages & Length

Since this is a new compound with limited information available regarding it’s effectiveness, experimenting with dosages is not recommended.  For a base cycle 50mg is recommended for a first time protodrol cycle, experienced users can venture into dosages in upwards of 75mg however should exercise caution as this is a new compound.

Protodrol can be ran in cycles from 4 to 6 weeks, however for optimal gains 5 weeks would be recommended and experienced users can venture into 6 week cycles as well.

Common Side Effects

Side effects with protodrol should be mild if any, protodrol in general should be considered a “mild” methylated compound.  However in general side effects with pro-hormones and designer steroids can possibly happen depending on the user.

• Decreased Libido/Sexual Function
• Patterned Acne
• Sleep Alteration (difficulty sleeping, realistic dreams, etc)
• Slightly increased Blood Pressure
• Back Pumps (Dull pain in back after/during workouts)

Many of these symptoms can be resolved through over the counter supplements please read our side effects article.

Typical Results

Protodrol is a dry compound and should produce lean body mass gains without bloating, therefore it’s a great compound for cutting, recomp or even bulking depending on your diet.  Protodrol should be viewed as a viable alternative to halodrol (h-drol) in regards to overall results, based on early information available the gains seem to be consistent with what one would expect with h-drol.

• When used in a bulking diet, users may see gains somewhere in the 9-14lb neighborhood on a 5 week cycle at 50mg.
• When used in a recomp diet, users may see gains somewhere in the 6-9lb neighborhood while simultaneously losing 1-2% bodyfat on a 5 week cycle at 50mg.
• When used in a cutting diet, users may see gains somewhere in the 2-4lb neighborhood while losing 1-3% bodyfat on a 5 week cycle at 50mg.

These ranges are considered common, however some users may experience gains in upwards of 15+lbs and some users may not experience many noticeable gains at all, however lack of results is typically a result of poor diet and workout regiment.

Stacking

Protodrol can be stacked with other NON-Methylated compounds, it is critical that Protodrol  not be stacked with another Methylated compound, doing so can put serious strain on your liver.  Due to Protodrol being relatively mild it makes for a solid stacker, however stacking two compounds should only be done by users with past pro-hormone or designer steroid experience.  Below is a short list of some compounds to consider when stacking Protodrol.

• BOLD (1,4AD)
• 11-OXO (Adrenosterone)
• Furazadrol
• Tren

Post Cycle Therapy

Possibly the most important item on the menu is post cycle therapy, when taking a foreign substance (Protodrol) that creates testosterone your body begins to shut down it’s normal production, when you stop taking a pro-hormone or steroid compound your body needs a way to jump start it’s own natural production again, this is why we need post cycle therapy.  It’s not just as simple as that however, when coming off of a compound your body goes through a very stressful phase as your hormones are out of balance, failure to mitigate these imbalances can result in a unique set of side effects not related to the protodrol compound.  Below is just a *few* of the noted side effects of an improper post cycle therapy regiment, it should also be noted that the occurrence of side effects in the post cycle stage is more common than the “on-cycle” phase, however a properly planned post cycle therapy regiment can mitigate these risks.

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression (Can range mild to severe)
• Body Aches/Pains (Can range mild to severe)
• Impotence and other sexual function side effects.
• Loss of gains made on cycle.

As you can see, these are side affects we definitely want to avoid at all costs, so let’s start discussing a proper Protodrol PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Post Cycle General:  You should begin your PCT regiment immediately after your pro-hormmone or designer steroid cycle, it should begin the day after your last dosage of Protodrol.  PCT regiments are tpyically 4-6 weeks depending on the type of compound being used, user and type of PCT.  As noted in the previous section under “Maintaining Health”, you should continue to use Life Support or Cycle Support throughout your entire cycle, INCLUDING your PCT regiment.

• Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• Regulate Estrogen.
• Restore HPTA function.
• Reducing SHBG.
• Control Cortisol Effects.

Over The Counter:  An OTC (Over The Counter) post cycle therapy regiment is simply that, a PCT that consists with strictly over the counter products that can be bought at major supplement outlets such as BodyBuilding.com or stores such as Vitamin shoppe or GNC.  The following is just an example PCT, you can interchange other similar products if you have a preference.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – PCT Assist.  An ALL purpose PCT product that will help boost testosterone production, help balance hormones and assist with estrogen regulation.
2. SNS Inhibit-E.  An effective low-cost estrogen regulator/inhibitor.
3. Optional:  Driven Sports – Lean Xtreme.  One of the most popular and proven products that control the effects of Cortisol.

When using an over the counter PCT, it’s recommended to run a 6-week PCT regiment, assuming you were using the products above, here is how you would schedule your PCT.

Week 1-2 PCT Assist, Lean Xtreme.  |   Week 2-4 PCT Assist, Inhibit-E, Lean Xtreme |  Week 4-6 Inhibit-E

Research Drugs:  The MOST effective PCT regiment is one that includes a prescription/research drug, however some users prefer not to go this route, you may be asking why would someone go another route if this is the most proven and effective PCT method.  There’s various reasons but one to point out is that these drugs aren’t technically available without a prescription, these are also very powerful drugs that can also have their own side effects, notice that I say they aren’t “technically” available that’s because they can be purchased online at research drug sites, I won’t provide you with any links, if you chose to go this route googling for these sites will won’t take you long.

1. Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).  Comes in Liquid or Pill form.
2. Optional:  Driven Sports Lean Xtreme

Users with deep pockets can also add in a natural testosterone booster such as S.A.N. MyoTEST, in the event you go this route, it would be best to run a test booster starting week two through week six.  Below is an example PCT when using a research drug (such as Nolvadex aka Tamoxifen Citrate, as we are in this case).

Week 1-2 Nolvadex 20mg, Lean Xtreme (3 caps) | Week 2-4 Nolvadex 10mg, Lean Xtreme (3 caps)

Cycle Example

This is an example cycle from start to finish to give you an idea how it should look, assumes you’re going with a prescription drug for PCT.  From start to finish our properly designed cycle will take approximately 11 weeks total.

* Week 1-2:  Pre-load Cycle Support or Life Support @ Bottle Recommended dosages.
* Week 2-7:  Cycle Support or Life Support | Protodrol 50mg
* Week 7-9:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 20mg | Lean Xtreme.
* Week 9-11:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 10mg | Lean Xtreme

Supplements

It’s recommended that users supplement with a quality Multi-Vitamin and Fish Oil throughout the ENTIRE cycle.  You should stop taking any other supplements on Cycle as well such as Creatine, NO, Test Boosters and so on, these should be saved for PCT in order to preserve strength.  It’s heavily recommended that during PCT, you add Creatine and a Cell Volumizer type of prodct.  Supplementing with Protein is highly recommended on cycle

Interactions

Users who are on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication may experienced increased anxiety/depression while on cycle and during PCT.  It is HEAVILY advised not to drink alcoholic drinks while on Cycle & PCT, doing so will put significant strain on the liver and can result in a major health hazard.  Users should avoid using stimulants on cycle as blood pressure may elevate too high and possibly cause fainting.  In general, avoid starting any new medications while on cycle or just before, if you’re concerned about a possible interaction consult your doctor.  Users should also eat a clean diet on cycle.

Prelude

11-OXO also known as (Adrenosterone) is a popular non-methylated designer steroid/pro-hormone originally brought to market by Ergopharm and has since been cloned by several other companies such as Black China Labs 11-test and Competitive Edge Labs 11-Sterone.  Despite the availability of clones with reduced pricing, Andrenosterone remains one of the more expensive compounds to source and thus those costs are passed onto consumers making it one of the more expensive pro-hormones/designer steroids on the legal market.

11-OXO remains a popular choice for users venturing into the world of pro-hormones for the first time, this is due to it’s low risk of side effects and in the event of present side effects, they’re typically mild.  11-OXO is also a non-methylated compound, which means it’s little harm to the liver when compared to other compounds, thus minimal liver protection throughout the cycle is required.

Maintaining Health

11-OXO (Andrenosterone) remains one of the mildest compounds on the market, side effects typically aren’t common however as with other pro-hormones/designer-steroids there’s always some risk of side effects, thus properly planning for common side effects will help reduce any occurrences.  Luckily many herbal based supplements have been scientifically shown to produce desirable results when it comes to Blood Pressure, Liver Function and Lipid profiles.  Over the years several companies have begun creating “all-in-one” products designed specifically for prohormone and designer steroid cycles, these products have been a staple in thousands of users cycles with excellent results including blood work to backup their effectiveness.  Therefore ANYONE running a cycle of 11-OXO will need to use one of the following products throughout the entire Cycle.

Anabolic Innovations – Life Support (Capsules)

Anabolic Innovations – Cycle Support (Powder)

Both are, for the most part, identical products the biggest difference is the form, whether you prefer to take pills or powder.  A general rule of thumb is to pre-load either one (Life Support or Cycle Support) two weeks prior to beginning your cycle and all the way through until the end, so buy accordingly so that you have enough on hand.  These products will assist your body with maintaining healthy blood pressure, liver function and lipid profile.

Dosing

11-OXO is a unique compound, based on the dosages it delivers somewhat drastic differences in overall results.  At the lower end of the dosing spectrum you’ll get effective cortisol control and at the upper end of the dosing spectrum you’ll effectively shut down your natural testosterone production and the 11-oxo results will be comparable to other stronger compounds.  Below we will discuss three common dosages and appropriate cycle lengths.

There are three common dosages 300mg, 600mg or 900mg, the results can vary greatly based on the dosage and we will talk about the effects slightly later in this article.  But in general users wanting effective cortisol control and a leaning effect 300mg is the ideal dosage, users wanting more pronounced strength and mild size gains 600mg is acceptable and at 900mg users should expect muscle and size gains comparable to other more potent products such as BOLD or even h-drol.

11-OXO cycles are typically ran anywhere from 5 to 9 weeks in length, generally the higher the dosage the shorter the cycle duration, however for more advanced users running higher dosages at a full 9 weeks are possible.  11-OXO has an average half life and should have it’s dosages split, ideally with one dosage in the morning, one after lunch and one around dinner time.  on workout days taking a dosage after training is recommended, it’s also advisable to avoid taking a dosage close to bed time as it can alter sleep patterns.

Common Side Effects

Side effects with 11-OXO aren’t common, when used stand alone, however as always with any designer steroid or pro-hormone side effects can occur and in most cases they’re simply a controllable inconvenience.  The following are a listing of some possible side effects with 11-OXO.

• Decreased Libido/Sexual Function
• Patterned Acne
• Sleep Alteration (difficulty sleeping, realistic dreams, etc)
• Slightly increased Blood Pressure
• Back Pumps (Dull pain in back after/during workouts)

Typical Results

Results will vary based upon the dosage, however at ANY dosage 11-oxo will provide strong cortisol control, decrease visceral bodyfat (stomach/chest), increase vascularity and muscle hardness, so when looking at common results below at different dosages, take into consideration that the results below are in addition to those just mentioned.  Below assumes you’re running a 7 week cycle and are on a clean diet, above maintenance.  Those cutting may experience lower strength and size gains, but will be able to retain muscle while quickly losing fat.

When used at 300mg users report moderate strength gains and mild (if-any) size gains.

When used at 600mg users report increased strength and moderate size gains in the 3-5lb range.

When used at 900mg users report increased strength and noticeable size gains in the 5-10lb range.

11-OXO (Andrenosterone) works best in a cutting diet due to it’s ability to greatly enhance fat loss and help retain muscle.  It’s also a viable compound in a bulk to help control fat gain.

Stacking

This is where 11-OXO really shines, in fact 11-OXO is rarely used on it’s own, it’s commonly stacked with other compounds.  Due to it’s  non-methylated design, 11-OXO can be stacked with virtually any popular designer steroid or pro-hormone.  Most users stacking 11-OXO with other compounds are primarily doing so to control cortisol levels and reduce bodyfat, while allowing the other compound to increase strength and size gains, users stacking 11-OXO with other compounds should stick to lower dosages i.e 300mg-600mg.   Below is a short list of several compounds 11-OXO is commonly stacked with.

1. Methylated Compounds (Halodrol, H-Drol, P-mag, Superdrol, M-Drol, Epistane, Havoc, etc)
2. Non-Methylated Compounds (BOLD, Furazadrol, Tren, 3-AD, etc)

Post Cycle Therapy

Giving your body time to adjust is incredibly important and thus post cycle therapy is incredibly important when taking a hormonal compound such as 11-OXO (Andrenosterone).  Once you stop taking a designer steroid or pro-hormone your body goes through a change of hormones and puts stress on your endocrine system, with a properly planned PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) we assist our body with easing back into normal function.  Failure to follow a properly planned PCT can result in undesirable side effects such as.

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression
• Weight ‘fat’ Gain / Muscle Loss
• Body Aches/Pains
• Impotent / Sexual Side Effects

As you can see, these are side affects we definitely want to avoid at all costs, so let’s start discussing a proper 11-OXO PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Post Cycle General:  You should begin your PCT regiment immediately after your pro-hormmone or designer steroid cycle, it should begin the day after your last dosage of 11-OXO.  PCT regiments are tpyically 4-6 weeks depending on the type of compound being used, user and type of PCT.  As noted in the previous section under “Maintaining Health”, you should continue to use Life Support or Cycle Support throughout your entire cycle, INCLUDING your PCT regiment.  During PCT we effectively want to achieve the following…

• * Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• * Regulate Estrogen.
• * Restore HPTA function.
• * Reducing SHBG.
• * Control Cortisol Effects.

Over The Counter:  An OTC (Over The Counter) post cycle therapy regiment is simply that, a PCT that consists with strictly over the counter products that can be bought at major supplement outlets such as BodyBuilding.com or stores such as Vitaminshoppe or GNC.  Since 11-OXO is a relatively non-suppressive and mild compound, an over the counter PCT is recommended for dosages in the 300-600mg range, users utilizing a dosage of 900mg should consider going with a SERM.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – PCT Assist.  An ALL purpose PCT product that will help boost testosterone production, help balance hormones and assist with estrogen regulation.
2. S.A.N – Attitude.  An affordable effective estrogen inhibitor and test booster.  (Not required for low dosages of 11-oxo i.e 300mg).
3. Driven Sports – Lean Xtreme.  One of the most popular and proven products that control the effects of Cortisol.

When using an over the counter PCT, it’s recommended to run a 6-week PCT regiment, assuming you were using the products above, here is how you would schedule your PCT.

Week 1-2 PCT Assist, Lean Xtreme.  |   Week 2-4 PCT Assist, Attitude, Lean Xtreme.  |  Week 4-6 Attitude

Research Drugs:  The MOST effective PCT regiment is one that includes a SERM perscription/research drug, however some users prefer not to go this route, as they are “experimental” drugs and can have their own side effects.  As such with a compound such as 11-OXO a research drug really isn’t needed except for users running dosages at or above 900mg.  To obtain a SERM you’ll need a prescription or sometime to research on google regarding research drugs, as they can be purchased legally if being used for research purposes.

1. Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).  Comes in Liquid or Pill form.
2. Driven Sports – Lean Xtreme.  Helps control cortisol issues.

Below is an example PCT when using a research drug (such as Nolvadex aka Tamoxifen Citrate, as we are in this case).

Week 1-2 Nolvadex 20mg, Lean Xtreme.  |  Week 2-4 Nolvadex 10mg, Lean Xtreme.

Example Cycle

This is an example cycle from start to finish to give you an idea how it should look, assumes you’re going with a prescription drug for PCT.  From start to finish our properly designed cycle will take approximately 14 weeks total, this cycle assumes you’re running 11-OXO (or BCL 11-Test) for 7 weeks at or around 600mg.  The Cycle would be the same for 300mg except the additional PCT product (SAN Attitude) isn’t needed, you would forgo the final two weeks of PCT.

• Week 1-2:  Pre-load Cycle Support or Life Support @ Bottle Recommended dosages.
• Week 2:  Cycle Support or Life Support | 11-OXO 600mg
• Week 3-8:  Cycle/Life Support | 11-OXO 600mg
• Week 8-10:  Cycle/Life Support | PCT Assist | Lean Xtreme
• Week 10-12:  Cycle/Life Support | PCT Assist | Lean Xtreme | Attitude
• Week 12-14:  Attitude

Drug Testing

Those being tested for elevated testosterone levels and or lowered estrogen levels will produce a positive test result while on 11-OXO, it’s also important to note that if using a research/perscription drug for your PCT regiment, this will also cause a positive test result in many cases.

Supplements

It’s recommended that users supplement with a quality Multi-Vitamin and Fish Oil throughout the ENTIRE cycle.  You should stop taking any other supplements on Cycle as well such as Creatine, NO, Test Boosters and so on, these should be saved for PCT in order to preserve strength.  It’s heavily recommended that during PCT, you add Creatine and a Cell Volumizer type of prodct.  Supplementing with Protein is highly recommended on cycle

Interactions

Users who are on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication may experienced increased anxiety/depression while on cycle and during PCT.  Users should avoid using stimulants on cycle as blood pressure may elevate too high and possibly cause fainting.  In general, avoid starting any new medications while on cycle or just before, if you’re concerned about a possible interaction consult your doctor.  Users should also eat a clean diet on cycle and limit their alcohol intake significantly (best option would be to discontinue usage).

Disclaimer

We are not doctors, therefore before starting any supplement or training regiment you should consult with your doctor.  The information being provided is simply personal opinion.

Introduction

1,4AD  (also known as BOLD) is a legal designer steroid/pro-hormone made popular by iForce Nutrition, the chemical makeup of Bold is as follows (1,4-androstadiene-3b,17b-dione or androst-1,4-diene-3b,17b-dione) as you can see Bold is not a methylated compound, therefore is easy on the liver which makes it a great beginners cycle.

BOLD is relatively expensive and hard to source therefore there are very few clones on the market and overall the cost of the compound remains one of the more expensive on the market when compared to other designer steroids/pro-hormones.  Another possible downside of BOLD is it’s relatively under dosed by most accounts, therefore to get an effective dosage requires additional product driving the cost even further.

Aside from the cost BOLD remains one of the most popular compounds on the market and is considered an excellent beginners cycle due to it’s reputation for minimal side effects and non-methylated status making it liver friendly.  BOLD also produces decent results as well as we will talk about later in this article.

Maintaining Health

As with any pro-hormone or designer steroid, there’s always risk associated with their usage, however through proper knowledge planning we can mitigate the risk to our bodies overall health.  BOLD is not methylated which makes it liver friendly, however as like many other pro-hormones and or designer steroids BOLD may increase blood pressure to some degree however vary’s on the user and other factors such as diet and genetics.  As such BOLD can also alter Lipid Levels/High Cholesterol levels as well.  There’s obviously additional side effects to worry about (see below) however for the most part they’re just an inconvenience.  So you’re probably asking how we go about protecting our bodies to mitigate these possible undesirable side effects, well luckily many herbal based supplements have been scientifically shown to produce desirable results when it comes to Blood Pressure, Liver Function and Lipid profiles.  Over the years several companies have begun creating “all-in-one” products designed specifically for prohormone and designer steroid cycles, these products have been a staple in thousands of users cycles with excellent results including blood work to backup their effectiveness.  Therefore ANYONE running a cycle of BOLD will need to use one of the following products throughout the entire Cycle.

Anabolic Innovations – Life Support (Capsules)

Anabolic Innovations – Cycle Support (Powder)

Both are, for the most part, identical products the biggest difference is the form, whether you prefer to take pills or powder.  A general rule of thumb is to pre-load either one (Life Support or Cycle Support) two weeks prior to beginning your cycle and all the way through until the end, so buy accordingly so that you have enough on hand.  These products will assist your body with maintaining healthy blood pressure, liver function and lipid profile.

Proper Dosages

BOLD is typically most effective when ran in the 600-800mg range, with 800mg being considered the “sweet spot”, more experienced users may experiment with dosages up until the 1000mg range, dosages above 1000mg range may add little to no benefit when weighed with the additional risk of side effects at the highest dosages.

BOLD is known to work very slowly, most BOLD users won’t begin to see results until week 4 or 5, therefore BOLD is typically ran for relatively long cycles typically 6-8 weeks in length with 8 weeks being the normal.  Some experienced users have ran cycles that exceeded 8 weeks, typically 10-12 weeks, however is not advised and could possibly cause negative side effects in some users.

BOLD dosages should be equally split with one dosage in the morning and one around dinner.  Ideally one dosage should be timed and taken 45 minutes prior to working out on training days.

Common Side Effects

BOLD just like most other pro-hormones and designer steroids have a wide array of side effects, however side effects are typically user unique, some users may experience none, while others may experience a variety of side effects.  It should be noted that BOLD is considered very mild and side effects typically aren’t very common, the following are common side effects of BOLD.

• Loss of Libido (Taking Tribulus, MACA or Horny Goat Weed help with Libido)
• Hair Thinning (Especially those prone to hair loss)
• Sore Joints (Fish Oil helps with sore joints)
• Back Pumps (Taurine helps with back pumps)
• Acne (Typically on arms/back etc)
• Increased aggression, migraines, shrunken testicles, sleep pattern alteration and various other side effects can take place, however aren’t common.

As you can see there are various *possible* side effects, including some not listed, however for the most part users have limited sides on BOLD and the ones that are most typical (Acne, Libido Loss, Back Pumps) can be mitigated as noted above.

Typical Results

BOLD is a dry compound therefore should produce excellent lean body mass increases with limited water weight or bloating.  BOLD is best used while bulking due to it’s noted ability to significantly increase appetite, however can also be used while recomping or cutting body fat.  BOLD is seldom used SOLO while cutting, therefore typical results are not being published below.

• When used in a bulking diet, users typically report gains somewhere in the 8-12lb neighbourhood on a 8 week cycle at 800mg.
• When used in a recomp diet, users typically report gains somewhere in the 5-7lb neighbourhood while simultaneously losing 0-1% bodyfat on a 8 week cycle at 800mg.

These ranges are considered normal, however some users have reported gains in upwards of 20lbs and some users may not experience many noticeable gains at all, however lack of results is typically a result of poor diet and workout regiment.

Stacking

This is where BOLD shines the most, BOLD is an excellent product to stack with other compounds, due to BOLD’s non-methylated stature it can also be safely stacked with methylated compounds.  It’s more common for BOLD to be ran as part of a “stack” then it is to run BOLD solo, it is often stacked with the following compounds, however has been stacked with many different compounds that won’t be listed here

• Halodrol (H-Drol)
• Epistane
• Furazadrol

Post Cycle Therapy

Possibly the most important item on the menu is post cycle therapy, when taking a foreign substance (BOLD) that creates testosterone your body begins to shut down it’s normal production, when you stop taking a pro-hormone or steroid compound your body needs a way to jump start it’s own natural production again, this is why we need post cycle therapy.  It’s not just as simple as that however, when coming off of a compound your body goes through a very stressful phase as your hormones are out of balance, failure to mitigate these imbalances can result in a unique set of side effects not related to the BOLD compound.  Below is just a *few* of the noted side effects of an improper post cycle therapy regiment, it should also be noted that the occurence of side effects in the post cycle stage is more common than the “on-cycle” phase, however a properly planned post cycle therapy regiment can mitigate these risks.

• Gynecomastia (or Man Boobs)
• Anxiety/Depression (Can range mild to severe)
• Body Aches/Pains (Can range mild to severe)
• Impotence and other sexual function side effects.

As you can see, these are side affects we definitely want to avoid at all costs, so let’s start discussing a proper BOLD PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).

Post Cycle General:  You should begin your PCT regiment immediately after your pro-hormmone or designer steroid cycle, it should begin the day after your last dosage of BOLD.  PCT regiments are tpyically 4-6 weeks depending on the type of compound being used, user and type of PCT.  As noted in the previous section under “Maintaining Health”, you should continue to use Life Support or Cycle Support throughout your entire cycle, INCLUDING your PCT regiment.  If you can afford to or have adequat health insurance, you should consider obtaining bloodwork that include your liver function values, testosterone levels (both free & overall) and cholestersol levels, sometime torwards the end of your PCT regiment to ensure proper recovery, while not a requirement its certainly recommended.  During PCT we effectively want to achieve the following…

• Boost Natural Testosterone Production.
• Regulate Estrogen.
• Restore HPTA function.
• Reducing SHBG.
• Control Cortisol Effects.

Over The Counter:  An OTC (Over The Counter) post cycle therapy regiment is simply that, a PCT that consists with strictly over the counter products that can be bought at major supplement outlets such as BodyBuilding.com or stores such as Vitaminshoppe or GNC.  The following is just an example PCT, you can intercharge other similar products if you have a preference.

1. Competitive Edge Labs – PCT Assist.  An ALL purpose PCT product that will help boost testosterone production, help balance hormones and assist with estrogen regulation.
2. ShockerNutrition – TS2.  An effective estrogen regulated/inhibitor, also includes tribulus which enhances libido and according to some, may increase testosterone.
3. Driven Sports – Lean Xtreme.  One of the most popular and proven products that control the effects of Cortisol.
4. Some users, whom can afford to, should also consider adding test booster such as SAN MyoTest or Driven Sports Activate Xtreme.

When using an over the counter PCT, it’s recommended to run a 6-week PCT regiment, assuming you were using the products above, here is how you would schedule your PCT.

Week 1-2 PCT Assist, Lean Xtreme.  |   Week 2-4 PCT Assist, TS2, Lean Xtreme, MyoTest.  |  Week 4-6 TS2, MyoTest

Research Drugs:  The MOST effective PCT regiment is one that includes a perscription/research drug, however some users prefer not to go this route, you may be asking why would someone go another route if this is the most proven and effective PCT method.  There’s various reasons but one to point out is that these drugs aren’t technically available without a perscription, these are also very powerful drugs that can also have their own side effects, notice that I say they aren’t “technically” available that’s because they can be purchased online at research drug sites, I won’t provide you with any links, if you chose to go this route googling for these sites will won’t take you long.

1. Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).  Comes in Liquid or Pill form.
2. It’s also recommended to include a test booster such as Driven Sports – Activate Xtreme or Thermolife T-Bol.  Those concerned with Cortisol can also include Lean Xtreme.

Below is an example PCT when using a research drug (such as Nolvadex aka Tamoxifen Citrate, as we are in this case).

Week 1-4 Nolvadex 10mg, Test Booster.

Cycle Example

This is an example cycle from start to finish to give you an idea how it should look, assumes you’re going with a prescription drug for PCT.  From start to finish our properly designed cycle will take approximately 14 weeks total.

• Week 1-2:  Pre-load Cycle Support or Life Support @ Bottle Recommended dosages.
• Week 2:  Cycle Support or Life Support | BOLD 600mg
• Week 3-10:  Cycle/Life Support | BOLD 800mg
• Week 10-14:  Cycle/Life Support | Nolvadex 10mg | Test Booster (i.e Activate Xtreme/T-Bol etc).

Drug Testing

Those being tested for elevated testosterone levels and or lowered estrogen levels will produce a positive test result while on BOLD, it’s also important to note that if using a research/perscription drug for your PCT regiment, this will also cause a positive test result in many cases.  Bookmark our site (TunedSports.com) as we will be putting together an article on passing drug tests while on compounds and or quickly cleaning the system after cycle.  In the meantime the easiest method for passing a drug test is to purchase synthetic urine online, they come in easy to use kits at many websites and are relatively affordable.

Supplements

It’s recommended that users supplement with a quality Multi-Vitamin and Fish Oil throughout the ENTIRE cycle.  You should stop taking any other supplements on Cycle as well such as Creatine, NO, Test Boosters and so on, these should be saved for PCT in order to preserve strength.  It’s heavily recommended that during PCT, you add Creatine and a Cell Volumizer type of prodct.  Supplementing with Protein is highly recommended on cycle

Interactions

Users who are on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication may experienced increased anxiety/depression while on cycle and during PCT.  It is HEAVILY advised not to drink alcoholic drinks while on Cycle & PCT, doing so will put significant strain on the liver and can result in a major health hazard, while BOLD is not liver toxic, drinking on cycle is still not recommended.  Users should avoid using stimulants on cycle as blood pressure may elevate too high and possibly cause fainting.  In general, avoid starting any new medications while on cycle or just before, if you’re concerned about a possible interaction consult your doctor.  Users should also eat a clean diet on cycle.

Disclaimer

We are not doctors, therefore before starting any supplement or training regiment you should consult with your doctor.  The information being provided is simply personal opinion.

Links

Most products mentioned can be purchased online with a substantial discount at http://www.BodyBuilding.com