Often described as the most popular tablet-based steroid of all time, Dianabol is an influential drug which began the synthetically-enhanced bodybuilding tradition.
But what is it exactly that makes this drug a favorite amongst the mass-obsessed gym-junkie? And what’s more, is Dianabol legal?
Often, it’s difficult to discover the whole truth. Locker room hearsay and ambiguous or biased online articles do little to make the situation clear. Unraveling the secrets behind this steroid can prove tough. I’m right, yeah?
Well, forget about the schoolyard gossip.
Dianabol, as with most steroids, isn’t a difficult drug to understand. Its effects, both negative and positive, have been documented in many scientific studies—and that’s what this article will rely on—proven, researched evidence.
Here’s the deal.
I have put together what could be described as a Dianabol 101—clearly detailing the history behind this synthetic, how it’s used, and the physiological effects it provides.
This is an article for the big boys—if you can’t handle the truth, look elsewhere.
Let’s get down to it.
Table Of Contents:
What Is Dianabol?
Dianabol (sometimes known as methandienone or methandrostenolone) is an oral anabolic steroid.
Its history is extremely revealing. Although theoretically patented as a drug to help healing in both burn victims and those with skin grafts, it’s thought this was simply a cover story.1
Although you probably weren’t around in the 1960s, you might be aware of the government-sponsored doping of athletes from the USSR and GDR. These state-operated programs gave them a superhuman edge over their competitors in the US. 2 3
But this was soon to change.
After conducting experiments on weightlifters, a US physician called John Ziegler believed he had discovered a way to beat the USSR at their own game. By manipulating the hormone, testosterone, the Soviet’s drug of choice, he found a way to double its muscle-building power—leading to the synthetically created drug, Dianabol.4
Here’s some quick science.
Dianabol possesses two major adaptations from testosterone. Firstly, it has an extra double-bond at the first and second carbon positions.
This leads the synthetic to be less androgenic than testosterone. That is, while it still contributes to high androgen side effects, such as hair loss and ball shrinkage—they are less severe than other steroids.
Secondly, it has a supplementary methyl group at the C17α position, increasing its potency and allowing it to be ingested, instead of injected.
But, enough science—here’s a brief overview of the results.
Dianabol boosts muscle growth—fast. It does this through enhancing muscle protein synthesis, elevating the retention of nitrogen and supercharging glycogenolysis (the breaking down of glycogen—more on that later). It’s one hell of a performance enhancer.
But, for all these benefits, there’s one major issue.
It’s illegal.
In most countries, including the UK and US, it’s banned—except for prescription use, and even then, there are more effective modern alternatives. Furthermore, its use is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. 5 6 7
How Does Dianabol Work?
As mentioned, Dianabol has had two alterations from the original testosterone form, to increase its potency and reduce side effects.
Here’s the detail.
Dianabol Boosts Muscle Protein Synthesis
Muscles are damaged through resistance training—heavy lifting creates micro tears in the muscle fibers. It’s the repair and rebuilding of these muscles that allows them to return both larger and stronger. This process is through muscle protein synthesis, in that amino acids fuel this growth.
Dianabol both speeds up the rate of rebuilding and increases the efficacy of proteins. Thus, leading to gains that are unobtainable in this time period if using resistance training alone. 8 9
Dianabol Improves Nitrogen Retention
To build muscles, your body requires nitrogen. Without it, your muscles begin to break down. It’s essential that the body has a positive nitrogen balance—that is, intake and retention exceed expenditure.
Dianabol ensures that as much nitrogen remains within the body as possible—allowing the full utilization of proteins to increase mass and strength.10
Dianabol Enhances Glycogenolysis
When carbohydrates are consumed, they are stored in the muscles as glycogen. To be used as energy, as in the case of lifting weights, they need to be converted into glucose—a process known as glycogenolysis.
Dianabol boosts this chemical reaction—ensuring that increased energy is available for both muscle building and working out.11
Dianabol Side Effects
As steroids go, Dianabol is definitely not one of the most dangerous steroids available. However, that’s somewhat akin to saying that arsenic isn’t the most dangerous poison.
Let me put it on the line.
Steroids play havoc with your bodily functions—sometimes, for life. This isn’t an exaggeration. I have listed below the most common side effects from using this synthetic—but I want to briefly mention the first one on the list—the inhibition of testosterone production.
Listen carefully.
Loading your body with steroids means you are, in effect, overdosing yourself with (adapted) testosterone. Your testes sense this, and cease production of natural testosterone—there’s little point in creating what the body already has sufficient quantities of. All of this is fine while you are juicing up.
But then, your Dianabol cycle finishes—and your balls are screwed.
Imagine your car has broken down, and you have to push it to the garage to be repaired. With hands on the trunk, you try and propel the vehicle forward.
At first, it’s extremely difficult, attempting to get those wheels to revolve under your strength. But, as it starts moving, momentum is increased until pushing is easy and you have a fairly decent speed.
That’s like your balls.
Since birth, they’ve gradually been building up momentum to produce testosterone—until you reached puberty where they were at maximum speed.
But, steroids grind them to a halt.
Now, those testes have to start all over again and build up momentum. Even with post-cycle therapy (PCT), it can take weeks to reach anywhere near normal production levels again—but often, that just never happens.
Commonly, with every cycle of steroids, your own ability to produce testosterone is hampered. In the worst cases, it never starts again. Bro, you’re going to rely on steroids for the rest of your life—that’s if you ever want a boner again.
Assuming you have superhuman balls that can cope with this abuse, here’s (some of) the more serious side effects.
- Inhibition of testosterone production—possibly for life.
- Anemia 12
- Swelling of feet and legs.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Blood clotting inabilities.
- Gynecomastia (man-boobs).
- Acne.
- High blood pressure.
- Water retention.
- Kidney disease.
- Hair loss.
- Issues with urination.
- Liver necrosis.
Remember what I said earlier? Dianabol is one of the least dangerous of all the steroids!
Dianabol Results
Although the side effects mentioned above are somewhat off-putting—it cannot be ignored that there are some astounding Dianabol before and after results—and in an extremely short time frame. Even first time users, committing to this synthetic for just one six-week cycle, witness unbelievable returns.
While protein and caloric intake, the level of training, and an individual’s personal physiology all make a difference—generally gains of 20–22 pounds in just a few weeks can be expected in a Dianabol cycle.
There’s more.
Dianabol, together with its cousin Anadrol, is one of the true strength enhancers—making it a favorite among powerlifters and bodybuilders alike. This strength increase is probably the first positive effect seen by users—with guys reporting an elevation in strength within the first few days of use.
And there’s still more.
Both recovery time and endurance levels increase while using Dianabol. The ability of this drug to repair muscles faster means that fewer gym days are missed, increasing muscle growth even further. Its endurance power works hand in hand with muscle building—making it ideal for the serious lifter.
However, it’s not suitable for all.
If you’re not looking for pure mass, but instead a more athletic physique, or indeed if you are competing in sports involving a lot of cardio—it’s not the ideal steroid. It will provide some stamina and endurance benefits, but the committed athlete would be better suited to a muscle retainer rather than a builder, such as the steroid Winstrol.
The bottom line.
Dianabol results include bulking you up like a beast, taking strength off the scale, and repairing muscle at a phenomenal rate.
Dianabol Cycle and Dosage
Dianabol is a powerful steroid, and as such, shouldn’t be used for more than six weeks consecutively.
Often, for bulking purposes, this synthetic is referred to as a “kickstarter”—that is, it’s taken at the beginning of a cycle to place the body into a prime anabolic state. Then, after the first few weeks have elapsed, it’s dropped, with other steroids taking over the reins.
For beginners, testosterone is often used as the anabolic muscle builder once Dianabol use has ceased. For the more advanced and experienced juicer, it is often further combined with the potent Deca-Durabolin.
Just one more thing.
Dianabol, stacked with testosterone, can often lead to heightened estrogen levels—leading to water retention, impaired muscle growth, and gynecomastia. Hence, in these circumstances, you will frequently find guys combining it with Arimidex (a breast cancer drug) to alleviate these unwanted effects.
A typical beginner to intermediate Dianabol cycle stack could look like this.
Weeks 1 to 6 Dianabol 25 mg per day
Weeks 1 to 12 Testosterone-Enanthate 450 mg per week
Weeks 1 to 12 Arimidex 0.5 mg per day
For the more advanced user, 400mg of Deca-Durabolin can be added to the stack in weeks 1–12, for even more phenomenal mass gains.
But, a quick word of caution guys.
If you’ve never taken steroids before, never start your synthetic journey with a stack. It’s important that you first complete a cycle of each individual synthetic on its own before you start to combine them.
This ensures that your body is capable of tolerating each distinct steroid, instead of massively overloading it with compounds that could severely damage your health.
A little tip.
Once this cycle is complete, a course of PCT will definitely be required. I would recommend that you initially take weeks 13–15 as a detox period. Then, dose yourself with 40 mg of Nolvadex in weeks 16 and 17, then reduce this dosage to 20 mg in weeks 18 and 19.
This should hopefully assist in restoring your naturally-created testosterone to normal levels—if too much damage hasn’t already been done.
Legal Dianabol
It’s a tough situation.
The benefits of increased endurance, mass gains, phenomenal strength, and enhanced recovery are all extremely enticing beasts. Let’s face it, as bodybuilders, it’s the Holy Grail that we all seek.
But, we also don’t want to screw up our awesome bodies.
Using Dianabol to achieve these incredible results comes at one heck of a price. Personally, I like my balls to work, find vomiting somewhat unpleasant, and, as much as I like breasts—I don’t want a pair of my own.
But bro, it doesn’t have to be this way.
After a lot of time and some extensive scientific research, the guys at CrazyBulk have formulated a supplement that mimics the amazing returns of Dianabol, without the adverse health effects.
Called D-Bal, this awesome product contains ingredients which are proven to build muscle, skyrocket strength and improve endurance. What’s more, the formulation is 100 percent natural—with no synthetically modified compounds.
Its advantages over its cousin Dianabol include:
- No side effects—it’s made from natural ingredients.
- 100 percent legal—no issues from the police.
- Purity guaranteed—unlike online purchased Dianabol.
- Cheaper than steroids.
- Available worldwide.
- No requirement for PCT
D-Bal works in conjunction with your body, not against it. This supplement promotes muscle gains while increasing testosterone naturally. Instead of wrecking your own production of this hormone, it encourages it to make more. The exact opposite of Dianabol.
What’s more, this supplement can be stacked with other legal steroids from the CrazyBulk line—giving you the most potent muscle building cycle you can imagine.
Apart from its similar effects, the only other aspect it has in common with Dianabol is that it’s supplied in pill form. Each bottle contains enough D-Bal for one month’s continuous use.
For more info:
- Read our D-Bal Review
- Visit CrazyBulk official website
Summary
With a history dating back to the 1950s, the longevity of Dianabol gives testimony to its efficacy. Despite numerous scientific advances, there are few steroids that come close to this synthetic—with its powerful anabolic properties while allaying the androgenic side effects—common with injectable testosterone use.
But, that is only half the story.
The massive gains in strength, increased endurance, and off-the-scale muscle gains come at a price—and that’s your health. Remember, we’re not just talking a headache or an upset stomach here. These are effects that can damage you for life.
My personal advice is this.
Use legal steroids, such as the awesome D-Bal from CrazyBulk. In doing so, you will obtain similar results as those provided by Dianabol, but without the dangers. Trust me, your body will thank you.
Dianabol FAQ
“Where Is Dianabol for Sale?”
If you search for Dianabol for sale online, you will find numerous sites where it can be purchased. Alternatively, you can obtain it from local black market sellers—if you know the right people.
However, as this retail is unlicensed and illegal, the chances are you may not receive 100 percent Dianabol. Equally, you may be given a product labeled as Dianabol—but at best it’s actually a sugar pill, at worst it could be poisonous.
“How Much Does Dianabol Cost?”
There’s no definite Dianabol price. As the sale of these is illegal—prices fluctuate and are vastly different between sellers, both online and in physical sales. Generally speaking, a bottle of 100 Dianabol tablets, dosed at 10mg per pill, will cost between $100 and $200.
“Is Dianabol Legal?”
In the majority of countries of the world, Dianabol is illegal, unless obtained under prescription from a health practitioner.
It was banned in the United States under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prevents its use in competitive sport.
“Is Dianabol an Anabolic Steroid?”
Yes. Derived from testosterone, this synthetic builds muscle by boosting protein synthesis, making it an anabolic steroid.
“How Long Does It Take for Dianabol to Kick In?”
This depends on dosage, the frequency of ingestion, and an individual’s personal physiology. However, in general, increases in both energy and endurance are apparent after 2–3 days use, with visible muscle results being witnessed around the 7–10 day mark.
“Can Drug Tested Athletes Use Dianabol?”
They can, although if the Dianabol pills are detected it will probably lead to a sporting ban. Remember, it is prohibited by WADA.
“Is Dianabol Dangerous?”
Yes. Although considered a “safer” steroid, taking Dianabol can lead to hair loss, acne, raising LDL cholesterol, and the reduction of natural testosterone production.
“How Long Should You Use Dianabol?”
Dianabol is not normally used for more than six weeks at a time, with many users opting for just four weeks of use. Even when stacked during a 12-week cycle, this steroid will be one of the first to finish, with other steroids being consumed for the following 6 weeks.
“Can Dianabol Cause Heart Attack?”
As a drug with side effects, including high blood pressure and an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol, Dianabol has negative effects on the cardiovascular system. As such, it can, therefore, be a contributing cause to heart attacks.
“Do You Need PCT After Using Dianabol?”
Yes. Clomid (clomifene) and Nolvadex (tamoxifen) are frequently used to attempt to restore natural production of testosterone. However, these levels will not reach “normal” status for a few months—if, at all.
References
1. https://worlespacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=US&NR=2900398&KC=&FT=E&locale=en_EP
2. http://clinchem.aaccjnls.org/content/43/7/1262
3. http://www.kawasaki-m.ac.jp/soc/mw/journal/en/2006-e12-1/01_kremenik.pdf
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20080528195958/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/JSH/JSH1993/JSH2001/jsh2001b.pdf
5. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/c_cs_alpha.pdf
6. https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/4658
7. https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/wada_2019_english_prohibited_list.pdf
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7018798
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/491874
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1710892
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4802397/
12. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/methandrostenolone#section=Drug-Warning
Leave a Reply