(Methyldrostanolone)
Superdrol, known chemically as Methasterone or Methyldrostanolone, is an oral anabolic steroid that was never marketed through legitimate channels for medicinal purposes. It first came to the market in 2005 as a designer steroid, being sold over the counter as a dietary supplement by Designer Supplements under the name Superdrol, a portmanteau of “Super” and “Anadrol.”
Methasterone was originally described in 1959, and during its early years, there was some interest in its use as a potential therapeutic agent due to its anabolic properties. However, unlike other anabolic steroids that found medical use, Methasterone was never developed into a medicine. Its potential was recognized in medical literature, but it remained a relatively obscure compound until the early 21st century.
The reintroduction of Methasterone as Superdrol in the mid-2000s marked a period where the regulatory environment around dietary supplements in the United States allowed for the sale of substances like Superdrol without stringent oversight. This period saw a surge in the availability of designer steroids, which were anabolic steroids either not previously commercialized or known only in scientific circles, thus skirting the existing drug laws.
Superdrol gained popularity quickly in the bodybuilding community for its potent anabolic effects, which included significant muscle gains and strength improvements with minimal water retention. However, its over-the-counter availability and use came with significant health risks, including hepatotoxicity (liver damage), which were not well-understood by many of its users at the time.
In response to the growing concern over the safety of Superdrol and other similar substances, the United States Congress passed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004, which expanded the list of controlled anabolic steroids to include many designer steroids, including Methasterone. Following its classification as a controlled substance, Superdrol was withdrawn from the market, and its sale as a dietary supplement was banned. Despite its ban, Superdrol remains popular among bodybuilders and athletes, who obtain it through underground labs and black market sources, drawn by its powerful effects despite the known risks.
Properties and functions of Superdrol
Superdrol, the brand name for the anabolic steroid Methasterone (also known as Methyldrostanolone), has distinct properties and functions that have made it popular in bodybuilding and athletic circles, albeit surrounded by controversy due to its potent effects and associated health risks. Here’s a breakdown of its properties and how it functions:
Properties of Superdrol
- Potent Anabolic Effects: Superdrol is known for its strong anabolic effects, promoting significant muscle gains and strength increases. It is more potent than many other steroids, with a high anabolic to androgenic ratio, meaning it promotes muscle growth more selectively with fewer androgenic side effects.
- Oral Bioavailability: Unlike many anabolic steroids that require intramuscular injections, Superdrol is taken orally. It is a C-17 alpha alkylated compound, which allows it to pass through the liver without being broken down, making oral administration effective.
- Minimal Estrogenic Effects: Methasterone does not aromatize into estrogen, which means it does not cause significant water retention, bloating, or gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men) that are common with other steroids.
- Rapid Results: Users of Superdrol often report seeing significant results in muscle mass and strength within a short period, sometimes as quickly as a few weeks.
- Liver Toxicity: As a 17α-alkylated steroid, Superdrol is hepatotoxic, meaning it can cause liver damage with prolonged or high-dose use.
How Superdrol Functions
Superdrol works by binding to androgen receptors in the body, which are located in various tissues, including muscle and bone. Upon binding to these receptors, Superdrol exerts its effects in several ways:
- Protein Synthesis: It enhances protein synthesis, which is the process by which cells construct proteins, the building blocks of muscle tissue. Increased protein synthesis leads to muscle growth and repair.
- Nitrogen Retention: Superdrol helps the body retain nitrogen, a critical component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Higher nitrogen retention improves the anabolic environment in the body, further promoting muscle growth.
- Red Blood Cell Production: Like many steroids, Superdrol can increase the production of red blood cells, improving oxygen delivery to muscles and enhancing endurance and performance.
- Reduction in Muscle Wasting Hormones: It can also reduce the effects of hormones like cortisol, known as muscle-wasting hormones, which break down muscle tissue.
While Superdrol offers significant benefits in terms of muscle gains and strength, its use comes with serious health risks, particularly related to liver damage. Its status as a controlled substance in many countries and the health risks associated with its use mean that it should be approached with caution and awareness of the legal and health implications.
Benefits of Superdrol
Superdrol, with its transformative potential for the body, is often compared to Anadrol for its mass-building capabilities, implied by its name – a nod to “Super Anadrol.” Yet, many athletes note that Superdrol’s mass gains don’t match those of Anadrol, focusing instead on substantial lean tissue gains, provided there’s sufficient calorie intake. With appropriate nutritional support, users might see an increase of 5-10lbs, minus the water retention commonly associated with Anadrol. Moreover, Superdrol aids in more efficient off-season bulking by fostering a faster metabolism, allowing for more effective use of calories.
For those in a cutting phase, Superdrol stands out as well. It excellently preserves lean mass in a caloric deficit, crucial for successful fat loss. The body’s natural tendency to prioritize energy from muscle over fat during calorie shortages makes preserving muscle mass a key strategy for effective dieting. Superdrol ensures the retention of lean tissue while promoting a drier, harder appearance, similar to the effects of oral Masteron, known for enhancing such physical conditions.
Beyond its specific benefits for bulking or cutting, Superdrol enhances overall recovery and muscular endurance. Although not the strongest in this aspect, the improvements are nonetheless notable. Enhanced endurance means sustained performance at peak levels for longer, making workout sessions more productive without necessarily extending their duration. The essence of anabolic steroid use is to optimize existing routines for better results.
Recovery is another area where Superdrol shines. Progress in strength and muscle building doesn’t actually occur during workouts but in the recovery period afterward. Training sessions break down muscle tissue, and it’s through recovery that this tissue repairs and strengthens. Superdrol’s role in this process is invaluable, as it significantly hastens recovery times, ensuring the muscle-building process is efficient and effective.
Side Effects of Superdrol
Users must be aware of the potential side effects of Superdrol, a potent anabolic steroid that, while not the most unfriendly, carries risks, especially in areas like liver health and cholesterol levels. Those with pre-existing liver issues or high cholesterol are strongly advised against using it. For those who are healthy enough, diligent health management is crucial. Below is an overview of Superdrol’s side effects categorized for clarity:
Androgenic:
- Superdrol may cause androgenic effects like acne, hair loss in those genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness, and increased body hair growth. Its low androgenicity means a high threshold for these effects, but they are still possible and cannot be mitigated by 5-alpha reductase inhibitors due to Methyldrostanolone’s resistance to metabolism by this enzyme.
- In women, the risk of virilization is present, manifesting as body hair growth, vocal chord deepening, and clitoral enlargement. Low doses may mitigate these risks, but virilization symptoms should prompt immediate discontinuation to avoid permanency.
Cardiovascular:
- Methyldrostanolone can severely impact cholesterol, lowering HDL (good cholesterol) and raising LDL (bad cholesterol). Blood pressure may also be affected despite the absence of estrogenic activity. A heart-healthy lifestyle is imperative, including omega fatty acids in the diet, limiting saturated fats and sugars, incorporating cardiovascular exercise, and possibly using cholesterol antioxidants.
Estrogenic:
- There are no estrogenic side effects like gynecomastia or water retention. Superdrol does not convert to estrogen, and anti-estrogens are unnecessary.
Testosterone Suppression:
- All men will experience significant natural testosterone suppression. Exogenous testosterone supplementation is recommended to prevent low testosterone states. Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) is advised to stimulate natural testosterone production post-use, aiding in recovery and maintaining health and physique.
Hepatotoxicity:
- Superdrol is hepatotoxic and should not be used by individuals with liver health issues. Recommendations to minimize liver stress include avoiding other C17-aa steroids, alcohol, and hepatotoxic over-the-counter medications during use. Duration of use should ideally not exceed six to eight weeks, with a significant break before any future C17-aa steroid use. Liver detoxification supplements are also advised.
Understanding and adhering to these guidelines can help manage the risks associated with Superdrol use, but monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and liver health remains crucial for users.
Dosage and Administration of Superdrol
Superdrol (Methasterone) is a potent oral anabolic steroid, and its effective dosage can vary significantly among individuals, depending on their experience with anabolic steroids, goals, and tolerance to side effects. However, there are general guidelines that many users follow:
- Beginner Dosage: For those new to Superdrol, a starting dose might be as low as 10mg per day. This allows the individual to gauge their tolerance to the compound’s effects and side effects.
- Intermediate to Advanced Dosage: More experienced users may find doses ranging from 20mg to 30mg per day to be effective. It’s uncommon and often not recommended to exceed 30mg per day due to the increased risk of side effects, particularly hepatotoxicity.
- Cycle Length: Given its liver toxicity, Superdrol cycles are typically short, ranging from 4 to 6 weeks. Extending beyond this duration significantly increases the risk of adverse effects without proportionate benefits.
Administration of Superdrol should be with caution, considering its potent nature and the risk of side effects. Users should always start with the lowest possible dose to assess tolerance. Due to its hepatotoxic nature, it’s also crucial to avoid alcohol consumption and limit the use of other liver-stressing substances during the cycle.
Stacking with Superdrol
Superdrol can be stacked with other anabolic steroids to enhance its effects or mitigate side effects. When stacking, it’s essential to understand the properties of each compound and how they complement or counteract each other. Here are a few anabolic steroids commonly stacked with Superdrol:
- Testosterone: As Superdrol can suppress natural testosterone production, many users will include a form of exogenous testosterone in their cycle. This helps maintain normal physiological functions attributed to testosterone, such as libido, mood regulation, and muscle preservation.
- Trenbolone: Known for its potent anabolic and androgenic effects, Trenbolone can be stacked with Superdrol to further enhance muscle gains and strength. However, this combination can be very harsh, and caution is advised, particularly regarding potential side effects.
- Nandrolone (Deca Durabolin): For those looking to add mass, stacking Superdrol with Nandrolone, which promotes muscle growth and joint health, can be effective. Nandrolone’s ability to improve joint discomfort is beneficial during heavy lifting cycles.
- Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate): Equipoise can be a good stacking partner due to its ability to increase appetite and red blood cell count, further enhancing endurance and recovery.
When stacking Superdrol with other anabolic steroids, it’s crucial to adjust dosages accordingly to minimize the risk of side effects. Additionally, incorporating a post-cycle therapy (PCT) regimen is essential to help restore natural hormone levels and mitigate any long-term side effects from the cycle.
Due to the significant strain that Superdrol can place on the liver, it’s recommended to avoid stacking it with other oral anabolic steroids that are also hepatotoxic. Instead, consider injectable steroids as part of a stack to reduce overall liver stress. Always conduct thorough research and possibly consult a healthcare professional before beginning any steroid cycle or stack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Superdrol, while a potent anabolic steroid known for its effectiveness in muscle growth and strength enhancement, should be approached with a clear understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Despite its compelling anabolic to androgenic ratio and the significant gains it can produce, the narrative that once positioned Superdrol as a “superior” compound in the world of steroids was largely the result of strategic marketing and legal opportunism rather than unparalleled pharmacological innovation. The real story behind Superdrol’s rise to prominence is not one of scientific breakthrough, but rather one of market savvy individuals who leveraged a loophole in steroid legislation for financial gain.
This steroid’s history and the enthusiasm surrounding it underscore the complex interplay between legality, marketing, and the genuine search for performance enhancement within athletic communities. While Superdrol does offer advantages, particularly for those looking to avoid estrogenic side effects while gaining lean muscle, it is paramount for users to recognize its risks, especially regarding liver health and cardiovascular wellbeing.
Superdrol exemplifies a fundamental aspect of anabolic steroids: the importance of informed and responsible use. It is a reminder that no steroid, regardless of how it is marketed or perceived, is without its potential drawbacks. As with any anabolic steroid, the decision to use Superdrol should come with a comprehensive understanding of its effects, both positive and negative, and a commitment to managing its risks through careful dosage, cycle planning, and post-cycle therapy. Ultimately, while Superdrol can be a useful tool in the bodybuilder’s arsenal, it is but one of many, with its own set of considerations and consequences.
Raw Data
- 2a,17a-dimethyl-5a-androst-3-one-17b-o
- 2a,17a-dimethyl-etiocholan-3-one-17b-ol
- Formula: C21H34O2
- Molecular Weight: 318
- Manufacturer: Syntex
- Effective Dose (Men): 1-2 Tablets/Day
- Effective Dose (Women): Not Recommended
- Half-Life: Approx. 8 Hours
- Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio: 400/20
- Detection Time: Unknown