Dianabol, also known as methandienone or methandrostenolone, is an anabolic-androgenic steroid that was first developed in the 1950s and has become one of the most popular performance enhancing drugs among athletes and bodybuilders. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Dianabol, including its history, benefits, side effects, dosage, cycling, and legal status.
History of Dianabol
Dianabol was first developed by Dr. John Ziegler and his team at Ciba Pharmaceuticals in 1958. At the time, Ziegler was working with the U.S. Olympic team as their physician. After witnessing the dominant performance of Russian athletes, Ziegler suspected they were using testosterone. In response, he began developing Dianabol in an effort to help level the playing field for U.S. athletes.
Once perfected, Dianabol was widely used by U.S. athletes during the 1960 Olympics. It proved to be highly effective, helping the U.S. team secure multiple medals and dominate in several events. This success cemented Dianabol's reputation as a potent performance enhancer. Soon after, it became available on the commercial market where it gained widespread popularity as a muscle building steroid.
Benefits of Dianabol
There are several key benefits that make Dianabol so popular among bodybuilders and athletes:
- Rapid muscle growth - Dianabol promotes dramatic increases in muscle size and strength. The effects typically kick in within the first few weeks of use. Many users report gaining up to 10-20 pounds of muscle on just one cycle.
- Boosts protein synthesis - Dianabol increases protein synthesis in the body, which enables muscles to rapidly repair and grow bigger after strenuous exercise. It helps the body utilize protein more efficiently.
- Increases nitrogen retention - Nitrogen is a critical building block for muscle growth. Dianabol improves nitrogen retention in the muscles, creating the perfect anabolic environment for rapid growth.
- Quick fat loss - Dianabol has a thermogenic effect, meaning it helps the body burn fat. By improving metabolism and reducing overall body fat, it promotes a leaner, more defined physique.
- Increases focus and drive - Many users report feeling increased focus and motivation while on Dianabol. This enables highly intense workouts with better mind-muscle connection.
With these powerful muscle building and performance enhancing effects, it’s easy to see why Dianabol has remained popular for over 60 years.
Side Effects of Dianabol
While an effective steroid, Dianabol does come with a range of potential side effects. The most common include:
- Liver toxicity - Dianabol is a C17-alpha-alkylated steroid, meaning it has been synthetically altered to survive metabolism by the liver. However, it still presents some level of toxicity and can negatively impact liver enzymes. Proper dosing and cycle length is key.
- Estrogenic side effects - Like many steroids, Dianabol is estrogenic, meaning it can cause side effects related to a spike in estrogen levels. This includes gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), water retention, and high blood pressure, among others. An aromatase inhibitor is often taken to mitigate these effects.
- Hair loss - Dianabol can trigger Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in men predisposed to the condition. This occurs due to its conversion into DHT. Those not genetically prone to hair loss typically have nothing to worry about.
- Acne and oily skin - Hormonal fluctuations from Dianabol can lead to increased acne, especially on the back and shoulders. Maintaining proper hygiene and keeping skin clean helps minimize this side effect.
- Aggression and moodiness - Some users report increased irritability, aggression or mood swings while cycling Dianabol. Controlling temper and avoiding confrontations is advised.
While powerful, these side effects are manageable with a proper dosing protocol, on-cycle support supplements, and responsible use. Most healthy adult men can use Dianabol safely for 6-8 weeks.
Proper Dianabol Dosage and Cycles
Dianabol dosage must be carefully planned to maximize benefits and minimize side effects. For beginners, 15-30mg per day is advisable for 4-6 weeks, taken with meals. This provides rapid gains while helping the body adjust. Intermediate users may up the dose slightly to 20-50mg daily for 6-8 weeks. Advanced users may go up to 50-75mg daily for 8-10 weeks. Doses surpassing 100mg per day are not recommended due to toxicity risks.
It's advised to split the daily Dianabol dose into 2-3 smaller doses taken with meals throughout the day. This provides stable blood levels for optimized effects. Take doses 4-5 hours apart.
Dianabol should always be used for 4-10 week cycles to give the body a break and prevent side effects. It is most effective when stacked with an injectable steroid like Testosterone Enanthate for the first 4-6 weeks of a cycle.
Proper on-cycle support and post cycle therapy (PCT) are important when using Dianabol. Support supplements like milk thistle, NAC, and tudca help reduce liver strain and other side effects. PCT drugs like Clomid, Nolvadex and hCG will help restart natural testosterone production after a Dianabol cycle.
Is Dianabol Legal?
In the United States, Dianabol is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. It is illegal to possess or distribute Dianabol for non-medical purposes. However, it remains widely available on the black market. A doctor’s prescription is required to legally obtain and use Dianabol.
In certain other countries, such as Mexico and European nations, Dianabol is somewhat more accessible either as a prescription drug or on the gray market. Laws surrounding anabolic steroids vary greatly across the world, so be sure to know your country's specific regulations. Many people still import Dianabol illegally for personal use despite the legal risks.
Dianabol remains banned in sports and tested for in blood screenings. Athletes and competitors should avoid Dianabol to prevent sanctions or disqualifications.
Safe and Responsible Use
While potent when used properly, Dianabol does carry significant side effect risks. Following general safety guidelines can help minimize adverse reactions:
- Adhere to recommended cycles and dosages. Avoid excessively high doses or extended cycles.
- Get regular blood work to monitor health markers like liver enzymes, lipids, etc.
- Use on-cycle support supplements to reduce strain on the liver and regulate estrogen.
- Avoid oral only cycles. Stack with injectable testosterone for best results.
- Implement a proper PCT protocol after each cycle. This will help restart natural hormone production.
- Maintain a proper diet and exercise routine to reduce side effects.
- Limit alcohol intake which can worsen liver toxicity. Stay well hydrated daily.
With prudent use, Dianabol can be a very effective and tolerable muscle building steroid. It provides exceptional gains in size and strength, but must be respected given its potency. By following safe guidelines and managing side effects, the benefits can safely be enjoyed.
In Conclusion
Dianabol occupies an important place in the history of anabolic steroids. Since its inception over 60 years ago, it has remained one of the most popular muscle enhancers on the market. This powerful oral compound delivers rapid gains in size, strength and muscle mass.
However, users must be prepared for potential side effects like liver toxicity, estrogenic issues, and interactions with DHT. With prudent dosing, cycling, and on-cycle care, these can be managed well by most healthy adult men. While illegal without a valid prescription, Dianabol remains accessible on the black market due to high demand.
Hopefully this guide has provided a comprehensive overview of this iconic steroid - its background, benefits, side effects, cycling, legality and safety guidelines. While not recommended for beginners or casual gym-goers, experienced bodybuilders can truly harness Dianabol's potent effects. With responsible use, Dianabol remains an extremely effective tool in a bodybuilder's stack.
