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Cornish_Celt · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2012, 10:04 AM

Steroid Information for Beginners

So you have finally made the decision to cross over to the dark side, the often talked about, but never discussed in public, use of anabolic steroids. You know you want to use them, but you don’t know what to use, how to use it, or even what they really are. This article will cover the very basics of steroid use, as well as safety information, and general knowledge so you can make an informed decision to use.

What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are all synthetic forms or derivatives of the basic hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It causes physiological changes in the body, such as; body and facial hair, development of male sex organs, sperm production, deepening of the voice, and increased libido (hard-on’s).

Testosterone also creates increases in muscular size by way of protein synthesis and anabolic mechanisms. Testosterone interacts with lots of cells in the body, but since we are really only interested in muscle growth, I will focus on that action. When testosterone floats free in the blood stream, it looks for androgen receptors to attach to. One it attaches, it can start its activity by way of transcription and therefore an increase in the synthesis of two primary proteins, actin and myosin. In addition to this action, there will also be increases in red blood cell count, oxygen capacity, and some mobilization of fat cells.

Why are there so many different kinds of steroids?
One look at a steroid dealers list is enough to make anyone’s head spin. There are so many choices and options. What you must remember is that all steroids are chemically altered derivatives of the master hormone testosterone. Each chemical alteration allows the steroid molecule to exert a slightly different action in the body. Steroid are primarily classified as anabolic or androgenic, while this is a simple classification, you should know that all steroids are anabolic and androgenic, they just have varying degrees of each activity.

With that in mind, the more anabolic and less side effects a steroid has, the safer it is to use, but in that same theory, it will also be a less effective steroid. There are some steroids that are better for lean mass gains, some to assist in fat burning while dieting, some to add a lean hard look before a show, some for off-season and bulking, etc. Once you have determined what your goals are, that is how you determine what products to take for a cycle. Being that you are new to steroids, I will assume you are looking for more mass and assemble your product list and cycles accordingly.

What kind of side effects will I get from a cycle?
Most people have seen the commercials, print ads, or something with all the scare tactics of steroid side effects, hell, even in the locker room guys talk about your penis shrinking. Ignore everything you have heard, it is media hype, high school scare tactics and other misinformation. I am going to write out a complete list of possible side effects, and then discuss the real world and what to expect.

Possible side effects from steroid use include: Acne, aggression, anaphylactic shock, birth defects, blood clotting changes, cancer, depression, gynecomastia, hair loss, headaches, high blood pressure, immune system changes, kidney stress, liver stress, prostrate enlargement, sexual dysfunction, stunted growth, testicular atrophy, water retention, and virilization.

That is quite a list, but now I will write out what you can really expect with steroid use, how to combat it and why not to worry. The first and most common side effect is acne. Yup, good old zits, just like when you were in high school. The reason you get them is the same reason you got them then, increased oil production which is stimulated by androgens. Gyno, the dreaded bitch tits can come about as a result of too much androgen use without controlling estrogen. Hair loss is common in some users who abuse oral steroids; there will be little to no loss on safe and sane cycles. High blood pressure can occure due to increases in water retention and an increase in estrogen levels. Testicular atrophy or “raisin nuts” can occur during a cycle because you will shut off your natural testosterone production. Finally, sexual dysfunction can occur in a very long cycle, too high a dose, or post cycle if you don’t do a proper post cycle therapy.

You should remember that most side effects are the results of two things; too much or too long without using precautions. Too much mean taking too much of any product or the sum of products taken. There is no need to go overboard; twice as much does not equal twice as many gains. Too long means staying on cycle for excessive periods of time, and then starting another cycle when there has not been enough off time. Both of these problems are easily overcome, hence most side effects can be avoided.

What should I take for my first or second cycle?
Remember the old acronym KISS? That is the best applied advice for your first few steroid cycles. Honestly nothing more than a cycle of testosterone is needed to make incredible gains but nobody goes that simple anymore. Stacking, or the adding of multiple steroids together for a cycle has become far too common, even in new users. While there can be come synergy from stacking certain steroids, they will serve as no benefit to first time users.