Where did all the Prohormones go?

Since the removal of the first generation of prohormones in 2005, various supplement companies have worked hard on creating products which can provide a sizeable anabolic effect while complying with the requirements of the 2004 law. One of the most important considerations was to ensure that not only did they manufacture a product that was effective and legal, but also safe, as the wave of methylated prohormones released in the wake of M1T were certainly of doubtful safety given their widely noted negative effects on a range of body tissues, most notably liver values.

As a result of the innovations in the industry since 2005, we now have a number of products on the market which have been around for some time and in favour with bodybuilders and athletes alike. To make things easy we will refer to the compounds by their brand names:

The One – (17a-methyl-etioallocholan-17b-ol-3-hydroxyimine)

The One was developed by Applied Nutriceuticals and is a prohormone of Dihydrotestosterone.

Effects – Being a prohormone to DHT, The One can be expected to be notably androgenic, resulting in dry, muscle gains with an absence of water retention and solid gains in strength.

Side Effects – Being that it converts into DHT, The One can be expected to be tough on the hairline as DHT is the hormone most responsible for hair loss. As it does not convert to estrogen or progesterone, side effects related to those should not be an issue. Liver toxicity would remain a concern though and it would be a good idea to take this product with something to support health liver function.

1,4 AD Bold 200 – (1, 4 Androstadiene-3, 17- Dione 200mg)

Made by I Force Nutrition, 1,4 Bold 200 is a precursor to the compound Boldenone (Equipoise) which has a very long history of use in bodybuilding circles and is highly regarded for its ability to increase muscle mass with minimal side effects.

Effects - Bold 200 has the advantage of being non-methylated making it a first choice along with Furazadrol, or Finavol for newcomers to the prohormone field who are typically concerned about liver toxicity. Users typically can expect to notice improved muscle gains which will come steadily and less dramatically than other compounds, as well as an improved appetite and increase in vascularity.

Side Effects – There is a comparatively low risk of both androgenic or estrogenic side effects and being non-methylated makes it an ideal choice for those concerned with liver health. It also makes it ideal for use in a stack with stronger, non-methylated prohormones such as dymethazine.

Finavol – ( Estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione)

Sold by a number of different brands, including Competitive Edge Labs (X-Tren), and Chaparral Labs (Trenavol) Finavol is APS Nutrition’s version of this compound. This product has Dienolone as a target hormone and is non-methylated, making it safer on the liver and an excellent choice as part of a prohormone stack.

Effects – Finavol is well suited to athletes looking for muscle gains with an increase in vascularity and strength that are compared as qualitatively similar to the compound Trenbolone. It is a noted lean mass builder.

Side Effects – Tren products can negatively impact upon libido in some people.

Furazadrol – [5a-androstano(2,3-c) furazan-17b-tetrahydropyranol ether - 50mg]

Furazadrol was developed by Axis Labs as an alternative to methylated prohormones such as Havoc or Dymethazine. As a non-methylated compound it will appeal on the grounds of being very safe and is often used by beginners new to prohormones either alone or in a stack with Bold 200.

Effects – Furazadrol has a high anabolic to androgenic ration meaning muscle gains with low risk of androgenic side effects. It does not convert to estrogen meaning gains will be lean in nature, with an absence of water retention.

Side Effects – Although the risk of side effects is low, it is usually required to be dosed in dosages of 200-400mg a day making it quite expensive. Given its otherwise favorable profile it makes an excellent choice for someone looking to stack with another prohormone.

Cynostane – (2-cyano-17a-methyl-17b-hydroxy-androst-3-one - 10mg)

Cynostane is a brand new prohormone which features an alteration of the superdrol compound, with a cyano bond instead of the 2a-methyl superdrol bond.

Effects – Cynostane, developed by Anabolic Innovations, is an extremely anabolic compound with remarkably low androgenic action, making it qualitatively similar to the likes of Oxandrolone or Methenolone (Primobolan). It is non-aromatizing meaning it will not produce estrogen mediated side effects and its high degree of anabolic action makes it a favorable choice for athletes concerned with losing bodyfat while maintaining, or increasing, muscle mass. From feedback to date, Cynostane has very potent recomposition effects making it ideal for athletes and when dieting. If using to bulk up, calories would need to be increased considerably.

Side Effects - Bloodwork conducted by users shows that Cynostane has a more favorable effect on blood lipids, and liver values than superdrol itself. Although feedback to date is limited, the combination of low androgenic action, lack of aromatization to estrogen, and low level of general health effects, makes cynostane an intriguing newcomer to the prohormone world.

Protodrol

Protodrol was introduced by I Force Nutrition, designed to be a less toxic compound than some of the older prohormones on the market. Daily dosage is 50-75mg a day.

Effects – Protodrol is considered to be a potent mass builder, with a low incidence of side effects being very favorable on both liver and lipid profiles. As it does not convert to estrogen, Protodrol will impart muscle and strength gains with an absence of water retention. As such it is a very versatile compound which can be used for both bulking, recompositioning and dieting.

Side Effects – Protodrol was designed specifically to provide a bulking compound with a low risk of side effects so the only side effects you could expect to have would be those associated with all prohormone products.