Carefully consider the following questions, and try to answer them as best as you can. I guarantee that if you understand all the terms in bold, and can answer the questions attached, that you have attained a good level of understanding of AAS, and in my opinion, are ready to begin AAS usage, assuming of course that you are of proper age and training experience.
1.)What are Androgens? and what is their function? How is the Androgen Receptor site activated? How does this cause Protein Synthesis? How does this increase Satelite cell expression (aka brand spanking new muscle fibers)?
2.)What is anAnabolic? and what is the role of insulin and therefore glucose in hypertrophy and anabolism? What other Hormones does the Liver regulate that can contribute to muscular growth?
3.) What are Ester lengths? How do they effect the potency of the attached compound? (molecular weight - ester weight = potency of compound, IE: why Testosterone Propionate is more effective milligram for milligram than the larger Testosterone Enanthate molecule). What is the Half-Life of all the esters, and their relations to injection/dosing frequency? What is Alkylation? and how does it protect the active hormone through the harsh environment of the digestive tract and help in the absorption of the hormone into the blood stream? Why does alkylation make the compound Hepatoxic? Why does this limit both the length and dose of oral usage? What is Methylation? Is it more or less hepatoxic than alkylated compounds?
4.) Aromatase activity, where does it occurs? what does it do? and why is it important to suppress with an Aromatase Inhibitor when on AAS? Which compounds aromatize and which don’t? Why?
5.) Estrogens: Estrone, Estradiol and Estrione whats the difference between them? Seek to understand the love hate relationship with E, and why a balanced approach to Estrogen management is the only way to maintain skin quality, joint health and fuction, mood, libido, and erection hardness both during and off cycle. Selective Estrogen Receptor modulators what do they do? How do they differ from Aromatase inhibitors? When should they be used? Why are they so effective for Post Cycle Therapy?
6.) Human Chorionic Gonadtropin mimics Leutinizing Hormone, what is their function in the body? Why does using HCG prevent testicular atrophy? What other hormones do your Testes synthesize that contribute to a healthy functioning body and mind?
7.) Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis how do these 3 organs work together to regulate hormone levels in your body? How does using exogenous Androgens suppress their activity? How do SERMs effect the HPTA axis? Why is it important to let all AAS clear your system before commencing SERM usage? How long should you stay ‘off’ after a cycle and PCT before starting another, to maintain HPTA function?
8.) Injection Protocols Why is it important to sterilize? What should you wipe down the top of your vials with? What is Aspiration and why is it important? Why should oils be injected intramuscularly ONLY? I generally recommend nursing resources for learning about injections.
This is not a complete guide, but rather a template for understanding.
There are a million and one threads full of answers, my thinking here is that a thread full of questions may actually facilitate a higher level of understanding. In the words of a certain Austrian bodybuilding icon “The knowing is in the doing”.
Post any questions/suggestions you may have.
Cheers,
-PTD