Dianabol,
a trade name of the chemical compound methandrostenolone, is one of the
vintage anabolic-androgenic steroids. Dianabol, or
D-bol,
has been around since the 1960s and it still belongs to the Top 5 list
of the most sought-after steroids by athletes.
Dianabol
is unarguably the compound that introduced the sporting world to the
potential benefits of steroids to athletes.
Dianabol was
developed by John Ziegler, a physician in the United States Olympic
weightlifting team, and released in the US by the drug company Ciba
Pharmaceutical. It has been discontinued by Ciba in the 1980s when the
US Food and Drug Administration
decided to schedule it under the Controlled Substances Act. However,
since it is still in great demand among those who want to pump up their
performance and enhance their physique, many companies (legitimate and
underground labs) continue to produce this compound.
What makes this oral steroid attractive to bodybuilders and athletes?
Dianabol,
without a doubt, is a mass steroid. It promotes extreme muscle growth
through ideal protein synthesis, supporting protein buildup and
positive nitrogen balance in the body. This steroid is also known to
upgrade calcium deposits in bones, resulting to a positive bone mineral
density.
Dianabol is
classified as Class II steroid, which means that it exerts its efficacy
not through the androgen receptors unlike Class I steroid compounds.
Such classification of steroids is a newly-emerged theory, in which
anabolic-androgenic
steroids
are categorized into two distinct groups based on their principal mode
of promoting muscle growth. Class I steroids promote muscle growth via
the cellular androgen receptor. Class II steroids, in contrast, are
relatively weak activators of the androgen receptors and thus promote
muscle growth via other modes of action. According to the proponents of
this theory, non-medical users of steroids can find this helpful when
stacking since they can choose drugs that yield synergistic effects
more easily. In the case of
Dianabol,
a Class II compound, it is recommended that it should be stacked with a
Class I drug like
Deca-Durabolin.
Many adapt this stacking protocol since it is found to be effective
because these drugs induce anabolism through non-competing mechanisms.
This theory proposes that using steroids belonging to the same class
would be pointless, even counterproductive, since the two compounds
would have to compete against one another. Thus, under this
classification, Dianabol should not be stacked with Anadrol
50, a steroid which has basically the same properties (and similar
activity) as
Dianabol.
Dianabol converts to estrogen through aromatization and, as such, it is
prudent to stack it with SERMS, or what are known as selective
estrogen-receptor modulators.
Arimidex
and
Nolvadex
are among the most commonly used SERMS by individuals who want to avoid
the possible occurrence of estrogen-related side effects like
gynecomastia and hair loss.
Women are advised against
Dianabol
intake since it can cause androgenic reactions like hirsutism,
deepening or voice, and development of other male characteristics.
These side effects are irreversible.
Males can have great results with 25-50mg daily intake of
Dianabol, preferably
in divided doses (four to five doses spread out throughout the day).
Dianabol is a 17
alpha-alkylated drug which means that it can put the liver under a
great strain; thus, users are strongly advised against prolonged cycles
and excessive doses. Cycle duration should not go beyond 8 weeks.