Mad
Methylandrostenediol, commonly known as methandriol or methylandrostenediol, is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from testosterone. It’s less well-known compared to other steroids like testosterone, nandrolone, or trenbolone, but it has been used by athletes and bodybuilders for performance enhancement and muscle growth. Methandriol exists in two forms: methandriol itself and methandriol dipropionate, which is a longer-acting esterified variant used for intramuscular injection.
Effects and Benefits
Methandriol is considered to have both anabolic (muscle building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects, though its anabolic effects are not as pronounced as those of more potent steroids. Its benefits in a bodybuilding context might include:
- Increased muscle mass and strength, due to its anabolic properties.
- Enhanced recovery times between workouts, allowing for more intense and frequent training sessions.
- Potentially improved endurance and performance, although this can vary widely among individuals.
Administration and Dosage
Methandriol can be administered orally or through intramuscular injections, with the dipropionate version being designed for the latter. Dosage recommendations vary, and like any steroid, should be approached with caution to minimize the risk of side effects. For performance enhancement, dosages might range from:
- Oral methandriol: Typically 40-60 mg per day.
- Methandriol dipropionate (injectable): 100-150 mg, administered 2-3 times per week.
It’s important to note that these dosages are not medically recommended and are sourced from anecdotal reports within the bodybuilding community.
Side Effects
As with any AAS, methandriol use comes with the risk of side effects, which can be more pronounced at higher dosages or with longer use:
- Estrogenic effects such as gynecomastia and water retention due to aromatization.
- Androgenic side effects, including acne, hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness, and increased body hair growth.
- Suppression of natural testosterone production, leading to potential testicular atrophy and decreased libido.
- Possible liver toxicity, especially with oral forms of the steroid.
- Cardiovascular strain, including changes in cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, and a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
While methandriol may offer certain benefits for muscle growth and performance enhancement, its effectiveness is generally considered to be less than that of more commonly used steroids. The potential for side effects, particularly with unsupervised use, underscores the importance of caution. Individuals considering the use of any anabolic steroid should weigh the risks and benefits carefully and consider the legal and ethical implications, particularly in competitive sports settings. Consulting with a healthcare provider for guidance and monitoring is also advisable.
What bodybuilders say about it
Methandriol is a steroid aimed at athletes wanting to improve performance. Known as MAD, it’s a chemically altered form of 5-androstenediol (5AD) made to survive digestion when taken as a pill, which helps your body use it better. Despite this, MAD doesn’t build muscle as well as testosterone does and only has mild effects compared to stronger steroids, making it less likely to cause issues like hair loss or acne. It’s somewhat useful for those worried about these side effects and for female athletes looking to avoid male traits, as long as doses are kept low.
However, MAD doesn’t offer significant muscle or strength increases. There’s a myth that it helps other steroids work better by affecting muscle receptors, but this isn’t true. Its main benefits could be in reducing muscle breakdown and boosting the immune system. But, it comes with a downside of high estrogen effects, like increased chest tissue in men and water weight, which can be problematic.
For bodybuilding, suggested doses are 30-50 mg daily, taken by mouth or injection. Being a strong compound, it can strain the liver, so it’s recommended to use it briefly. Usually, it’s combined with other steroids, especially testosterone, to counteract some of MAD’s downsides, like lowering sex drive. Yet, using drugs to manage its estrogen-like side effects might cancel out its few benefits.
Conclusion
Overall, despite some interesting traits, methandriol’s weak muscle-building ability and high risk of estrogenic side effects make it a less attractive choice for bodybuilders. Its uniqueness and the overstated claims about its effects further lessen its appeal in the bodybuilding world.