Myth: The injection site doesn’t matter.

Truth: A study conducted by Minto et. al. in 1997 examined the differences between injecting in the deltoid (shoulder) versus the gluteus (butt). While we’d logically assume that if we’re injecting 100mgs of Nandrolone into the body it shouldn’t matter where the injection site is, but in reality nothing could be further from the truth. Injecting in the gluteus results in significantly higher blood plasma levels of the anabolic steroid in question. Put more simply, the men who received gluteal injections in the Minto study ended up with more Nandrolone in their bloodstream! In practical terms, this means if we’re going to inject one ml of anabolic steroid per week, we’d probably be getting the best results by alternating butt cheeks (or quads). For the guys doing a few ml per day, they’re going to have to stick themselves anywhere they’ve still got a piece of unscarred skin showing!




Myth: As long as the milligram amount is the same, the concentration doesn’t matter.

Truth: It seems like a reasonable assumption to say that a 100mg shot of Nandrolone is going to hit you the same, regardless of whether it’s 4ml of 25mg or 1ml of 100mg, right? Wrong. Minto (the guy from the myth above) took a look at Nandrolone volume per injection and compared it to final blood plasma levels, and found that the more highly concentrated shot (100mg in 1ml of oil versus 4ml) actually produced a higher concentration of steroid in the bloodstream (yes, even though the total milligram amount was exactly the same). This means you’re actually getting a better product when you purchase something like Equibold 350 (a 350mg/ml Equipoise from Anabolic Research Laboratories), as compared to purchasing an equal amount of Ganabol (which is 50mg/ml).


Myth: Equipoise (Bolednone) works similarly to Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone).

Truth: These two anabolic steroids have been considered interchangeable in cycles since the first series of Underground Steroid Handbook updates were published (they were a newsletter, written by the late Dan Duchaine). When Dan first introduced Equipoise to the bodybuilding world, he stated that a quick look at it’s structure revealed that it probably worked something like Deca. Well, nothing could be further from the truth.
Deca is a progestin, an anabolic steroid derived from 19-nor testosterone, while Equipoise is simply testosterone with an additional double bond. If we look at their characteristics (conversion to oestrogenic metabolites, conversion to 5a-reduced metabolites), we find very few similarities between the two drugs. And while Equipoise has a reputation for increasing appetite, Deca lays claim to healing injuries and relieving joint pain. Deca is also likely to cause a bit more water retention than Equipoise, although, when we talk in those kinds of terms we really start getting into a very subjective realm. In reality these two drugs are pretty dissimilar, but because of a single error, made a couple of decades ago, we still see them being used interchangeably in cycles.


Myth: You should take Milk Thistle on a cycle that includes orals.

Truth: While it will help protect your liver, the active component in Milk Thistle effectively reduces nuclear androgen receptor levels and down-regulates several androgen-regulated genes primarily by inhibiting the transactivation activity of the AR, and can also inhibit nuclear localisation of the androgen receptor. Milk Thistle will also have an inhibitory effect on the insulin-like growth factor receptor-mediated signaling pathway. All in all, there seems to be a reasonable expectation that this stuff is anti-anabolic. It’s a real loser to include during a cycle. A much better alternative is Prunella Vulgaris, which has been shown to protect liver cells and activate the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor, thereby allowing it to work as an anti-oestrogen as well. As long as you’re going to take oral steroids, you may as well take a liver protector that isn’t going to hinder your gains.