Prohormones are a much-discussed topic in the world of bodybuilding. These over-the-counter steroid supplements are often called “legal steroids”. But what are they, really? Are they anything like illegal steroids? And ultimately, are they helpful or harmful?

Simply explained, a prohormone is a chemical substance that is a precursor to a hormone. A prohormone will generally have little effect on its own until it combines with enzymes in the body, at which point the prohormone is converted into an anabolic steroid. The main purpose of prohormones is to supplement or enhance the strength of hormones that are naturally in the body.

Prohormones have become increasingly popular specifically because of the similarity to steroids (though the results from prohormones are generally less drastic). The primary difference between prohormones and steroids is that prohormones add no hormones to the body, but rather enhance existing hormones. Steroids, on the other hand, add hormones to the body.

It’s important to understand that though prohormones are relatively weak on their own, there is ultimately little difference between the actual effect of prohormones and traditional (illegal) steroids. Illegal steroids are not necessarily more potent or toxic than their legal counterparts. Methyl-1-Testosterone, for example, was a legal prohormone until 2005 and was considerably more powerful than many illegal alternatives.

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Disclaimer: Hypermuscles.com does not promote the use of anabolic steroids without a doctor's prescription. The information we share is for entertainment and research purposes only.