Need advice: there is a steroid that is legal, and I'm considering using it

[CasanovaFrankenstein]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-dhealegal051409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

It's called DHEA. I'm very much an AFC, without really the motivation to do anything about it in the state I'm in. I've tried all sorts of antidepressants and one gave me what's called a hypomanic state (basically you just feel really good, but without the out of control craziness of a regular manic state, where you think you're invincible). But it only lasted a couple of weeks and I've never been able to get it back. If I could feel like that all the time (hell even some of the time), I could make up for the 36 years of living I haven't done yet. Confidence, that's what I'm talking about. Driven by "what if I succeed" instead of driven by "what if I fail" my whole life.

I've read some of what Pook wrote about "testosterized males", that basically the key to everything manly is testosterone. And I know with steroids you start producing testosterone like a mo-fo. I even asked my doctor the last time he took blood to check if I have low testosterone. He said he would run the test (and put low libido as the reason for the test so my insurance will pay for it), but he said that being that I have a very deep voice and am very hairy, its a longshot at best that my problems have anything to do with lack of testosterone.

Just tell me this: is steroids EVER a good idea, even if they are legal? What are the risks and what are the possible rewards. Maybe even info specifically on DHEA. Thanks.

 

[MisterMcGee]

Other way around, steroids REDUCES testosterone.


... and you think you're ready to give yourself medical advice.

 

[Sandow]

you should google the effects of steroids and what it does to your body. dhea isn't really a steroid, its a very weak pro-hormone that almost has no effects

 

[The Decay of Meaning]

Not necessary, unless you would have some sort of disease that hinders your development of some sort.

Take ZMA, which is a combination of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B-6. It can increase your testosterone by up to 30 percent, and it is produced by your own body. That last part is an important point because steroids just pump steroids into your body and shuts down your own testosterone production.

Less than 6 hours of sleep can lower your body's production of testosterone with 40 percent testosterone, if I recall correctly. If not entirely these numbers, it's very close.

Parsley contains apigenin which fights estrogen, and broccoli will convert estrogen to weaker forms of estrogen.

You say you have tried anti-depressants, but studies have shown that working out is better at curing depression than anti-depressants. And compound exercises like bench press, squat and deadlift actually increase testosterone production IIRC. What is called "extreme stretching" (basically stretching the muscle after workout like 90 seconds) is known to produce testosterone and what is called Insuline-like growth factor, and a bunch of other stuff that.
If you drink a certain amount of water (I think it is about 2 glasses) immediately after you wake up, your testosterone will increase a lot during an hour and a half or so. Testosterone will also increase when you watch sports and cheer for a team or a person.

What I am saying is that your testosterone level is not something that is a constant. It changes over time, and also very much according to your life habits.

 

[The Decay of Meaning]

That's interesting.

So there are conflicting studies then... And a 1999 study favoring ZMA seems biased.

I can only speak from my own experience, but I have had better muscle gains and fat loss on ZMA, and I can go with less sleep (I've had trouble sleeping lately). The past month I estimate I have gained 300-400 grams of muscle and my weight has gone down from 92,3 to 88,3 kilos. This has been while I have been suffering from bronchitis and lack of sleep, and these are gains I don't normally have without ZMA.

 

[RMM]

That's interesting.

So there are conflicting studies then... And a 1999 study favoring ZMA seems biased.

I can only speak from my own experience, but I have had better muscle gains and fat loss on ZMA, and I can go with less sleep (I've had trouble sleeping lately). The past month I estimate I have gained 300-400 grams of muscle and my weight has gone down from 92,3 to 88,3 kilos. This has been while I have been suffering from bronchitis and lack of sleep, and these are gains I don't normally have without ZMA.

It's possible that your diet is not properly balanced. According to the wikipedia article on Zinc, deficiency can cause:

Zinc deficiency is usually due to insufficient dietary intake, but can be associated with malabsorption, acrodermatitis enteropathica, chronic liver disease, chronic renal disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, malignancy, and other chronic illnesses.[2] Symptoms of mild zinc deficiency are diverse.[147] Clinical outcomes include depressed growth, diarrhea, impotence and delayed sexual maturation, alopecia, eye and skin lesions, impaired appetite, altered cognition, host defense properties, defects in carbohydrate utilization, and reproductive teratogenesis.[142] Mild zinc deficiency depresses immunity,[154] although so does excessive zinc.[131] Animals with a diet deficient in zinc require twice as much food to attain the same weight gain as animals given sufficient zinc.[109]

It may be worth noting, just in case. I've bolded parts that may refer specifically to muscle gain and growth. Check that you're eating properly and enough of everything, if you have switched to a high protein diet due to working out you may not be getting enough of some essential nutrients.

 

[Alle_Gory]

Just tell me this: is steroids EVER a good idea, even if they are legal? What are the risks and what are the possible rewards. Maybe even info specifically on DHEA. Thanks.

DHEA is not a steroid and it doesn't do anything unless you have a deficiency. Do you have a deficiency??

Steroids like testosterone are fantastic for muscle gains and fat loss. Problem is, they can also completely destroy your skin (acne) and shut down any natural testosterone production if used improperly, and say goodbye to your balls too.

The people who use steroids know what they're doing or they have some kind of medical professional who know the stuff to help them out. This stuff is dangerous in the wrong hands and you should REALLY think hard about this if you are considering it. Talk to everyone who takes the stuff, including the people who fvcked themselves up so you at least have an idea what you're getting into.


Better stick to supplements, herbs if you need them, and just exercise and eat right. Without diet and exercise even steroids can't help you.