Bodybuilders are accustomed to using a wide range of supplements and medications to help them achieve maximum muscle growth, bigger physiques, and greater overall endurance. One of the more popular drugs on the market for this purpose is Halodrol. So what is Halodrol, and how does it work?
Halodrol is a prohormone that can increase natural male testosterone levels and encourage muscle growth, increase endurance, and even promote weight loss. However, some negative and serious side effects to Halodrol exist, and caution should be used when considering this prohormone for muscle growth.
Keep reading to learn more about Halodrol, its history, how it affects the body, and some of the possible dangers that can accompany this popular prohormone.
What is Halodrol?
If you’ve ever heard of Halodrol, you may be thinking of one of two distinct yet related products. Halodrol got its start as a nutritional supplement produced by Gaspari Nutrition back in 2005.
This testosterone-derived, quasi-synthetic substance was marketed as a dietary supplement and fell into the category of an anabolic steroid. It was immensely popular on release, but concerns about its eventual illegality led Gaspari Nutrition to pull the original product and begin work on a second, modern version of the drug, now under the Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals brand.
The contemporary product known as Halodrol is a prohormone, meaning it stimulates and increases the body’s production of natural testosterone. This is in contrast to an anabolic steroid, which mimics natural testosterone, binding to hormone receptors and decreasing natural hormone production in the body.
It contains four key compounds, namely 1-Androsterone, 4-Androstene, Androsterone, and Androstenolone Acetate, making it uniquely effective and powerful even in small doses. Like other hormone boosters, however, there are some safety concerns. All of these compounds, while effective at creating and boosting testosterone levels, can wear down your internal organs and put excess strain on the liver and kidneys.
So should you take it? Let’s first see what Halodrol does to the male body, and better understand why many bodybuilders choose it to begin with.
How Does Halodrol Affect the Body?
As mentioned, modern Halodrol is a prohormone. It’s a basic blueprint for testosterone, and once enzymes in the body bind to Halodrol, it’s converted into natural testosterone. It also helps boost your body’s organic hormone production, meaning all that’s being used by your body is a form of the hormone most familiar to it anyway.
The increase in testosterone in your bloodstream can increase lean muscle mass, make it easier to lose weight, help improve the aesthetic appearance of muscles over time, and lead to greater physical endurance at the gym and on the field.
Because this prohormone is boosting natural levels of testosterone, a man may notice an increase in those factors and characteristics associated with naturally occurring male hormones, including
- A temporarily boosted sex drive
- More energy
- Improved mood and cognition
- A better ability to manage weight
Halodrol tends to give users more visible results over a quicker period. These results tend to look more natural than those caused by anabolic steroids, and bodybuilders who want a less exaggerated look may feel more comfortable using Halodrol over an anabolic.
This all sounds great, but is this substance legal? Will it remain legal for the foreseeable future?
Is Halodrol Legal?
As a prohormone, modern Halodrol is legal and can be bought as a nutritional supplement at most health and supplement stores. While anabolic steroids mimic natural testosterone and bind to hormone receptors in the body, prohormones simply encourage natural testosterone increases, making it generally safer and easier for your system to manage.
In general, prohormones are thought to be less risky overall for your health, making them less likely to be targeted by legislation (like the 2014 Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act) which took aim at synthetic hormones. However, it’s important to keep in mind that laws, FDA regulations, and restrictions can shift easily, so keep an eye out for future legislation or restrictions which could affect Halodrol and other prohormones in general.
Anabolic androgenic steroids, on the other hand, are classified as controlled substances in the United States and are strictly regulated by the Steroid Control Acts of 1990 and 2004.
In addition, many popular steroids are increasingly classified as Schedule III, making them legal with a prescription, but not without. In other words, you wouldn’t be allowed to use them for bulking up if bought without a prescription, and misuse of these drugs even with a prescription could land you in serious legal trouble.
For the time being, Halodrol is legal and can be picked up off the shelf at many nutritional supply stores and supplement specialty stores. The benefits are considerable when contrasted against steroids, making this a popular supplement to replace anabolic illegal substances
Benefits of Halodrol
So what can Halodrol do for a bodybuilder? Unlike anabolic steroids, Halodrol won’t pump your body full of synthetic testosterone. This helps keep natural testosterone levels better regulated and allows your body to bulk up at a safer and more manageable rate.
Your natural testosterone levels will increase, making it easier to gain lean muscle and allowing your body to build up endurance and stamina more gradually. You can see some quick results but at a less over-the-top level.
How does this differ from the process followed by synthetic male hormones? While synthetic testosterone binds to hormone receptors, it also tricks these receptors into thinking that the body already has enough testosterone. This causes your endocrine system to reduce natural testosterone production. Thus, while you’re bulking up, your natural testosterone levels are falling, leading to reproductive harm, skin problems, and even a decrease in external sex organ size.
Unlike synthetic hormones, Halodrol works with your body along with exercise and a healthy diet, to help you gain muscle and improve overall strength. It can be gentler on your system than illegal steroids, and if taken carefully can help you make some gains without shutting down your endocrine system or tricking your body.
But how should you take Halodrol? How much is a safe dose, and how should this prohormone be cycled?
How Should I Take Halodrol?
Making sure you’re taking a safe quantity of any nutritional supplement is important. While Halodrol is generally thought to be safer than anabolic steroids, taking too much of it can be harmful.
The original Halodrol came in smaller doses of 50 to 100 mg per tablet, but modern forms of the prohormone tend to come in 250 mg tablets. This can make it tougher to determine if you’re starting on a dose that’s safe for your body.
Start with one tablet per day, taken about ½ hour before your workout. Keep the daily dose up even on rest days for 4 weeks. Experienced prohormone users can go longer, but if you’re just starting out with Halodrol, we recommend a shorter cycle of just 4 weeks.
The long-term effects of this cycle of Halodrol should give you the boost you need physically to help improve gains and bulk up more safely. Over the next 4 to 6 weeks, allow hormone levels to come back to normal, and take care of your body with a regimen of recovery supplements, healthy eating, and activity.
Failure to take Halodrol safely can result in some negative and even dangerous side effects, and even careful users in controlled environments can report health issues. So what are these negative repercussions? If Halodrol is safer than illegal steroids, why are there still side effects?
Are There Negative Side Effects to Halodrol?
Negative side effects to Halodrol are sometimes experienced by users, and they’re actually quite serious. Halodrol, like all substances, has to be processed by your liver and kidneys. While it’s easy for your body to convert Halodrol into testosterone, the processing of this drug can still do a number on your system. The most common side effects include
- Liver damage
- Weakening of the kidneys
- Heart damage
- Increase in blood pressure
- Accelerated baldness
The first four are all quite concerning and can lead to permanent organ damage. The main ingredients of Halodrol are still very tough for your body to break down, as they’re man-made compounds as opposed to natural food.
These extreme side effects are most often seen in bodybuilders who over-use Halodrol in an attempt to bulk up even faster, but even regulated use can cause organ damage.
Be aware of how Halodrol is affecting your body. Even moderate and lower doses can react badly with some people’s systems, so stop using all together if you notice abdominal or chest pain, elevated heart rates, or if you begin to feel unwell.
You don’t want to abuse or become dependent on Halodrol. Even mild substances that are typically safer for the body can become emotionally addictive, as bodybuilders chase faster and bigger muscle gains. Take your Halodrol dosage slowly, and combine it with a healthy lifestyle.
Even safer? Forego the substance entirely. But what about the testosterone boost? Are there natural ways to get the same results without using Halodrol?
More Natural Alternatives to Halodrol Exist
So what can you do if you want to boost testosterone levels naturally, without Halodrol? Happily, some natural ways to boost testosterone without Halodrol exist.
As Halodrol essentially converts to natural testosterone and boosts hormone production levels in your system, the simplest replacement for this prohormone is a diet and lifestyle that helps to naturally boost hormone levels without putting your kidneys and liver through the wringer.
Foods to seek out to help naturally increase testosterone include fatty fish (like salmon), eggs, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, and whole dairy products. The more natural your diet, the better and healthier your hormone levels will be.
Avoid junk food, added sugars, fast food, food containing preservatives or artificial ingredients, and energy drinks. Try to cook most if not all of your meals at home, and choose healthier menu items when eating out.
Get plenty of exercise! Exercise is a simple and even enjoyable way to boost testosterone levels. The best kind of exercise is something enjoyable and involves plenty of fresh air. Hiking, walking, jogging, and biking are all excellent ways to get an energy boost and naturally improve hormone levels.
Getting plenty of sleep, reducing stress, finding ways to relax during the week, and cutting down on screen time can all help balance out hormone levels as well as improve emotional health.
What about herbal supplements? Like Halodrol, some men have experienced great results with natural herbal remedies like Tongkat Ali, while others have experienced long-term negative side effects. While some have reported better testosterone levels with ashwagandha, ginseng, and other herbs, some have reported no noticeable changes.
Your mileage may vary, so see what works for you while eating better, exercising, getting fresh air, and reducing stress in your life.
Final Thoughts
Halodrol is a prohormone that binds to enzymes within the body to produce testosterone and increase natural testosterone production. Generally safer than synthetic testosterone, it won’t lower hormone levels within the body and has fewer negative effects on sexual health overall.
Still, the synthetic compounds within Halodrol can be very hard for the liver and kidneys to break down, leading to organ damage, even in moderate doses. While Halodrol does lead to more natural and manageable muscle gains, it can still cause illness if used improperly, or if one’s body is sensitive to it.
It’s safest to use Halodrol in a 4-week cycle, followed by another 4 weeks of recovery. In addition, eating well, getting exercise and fresh air, and reducing stress in one’s life can work with Halodrol to improve testosterone levels and increase muscle bulk and overall well-being.
For bodybuilders wanting to skip Halodrol altogether, a diet rich in fish, nuts, whole grains, and leafy greens, and low in junk food and sugar can help. Eating whole foods cooked at home is a great way to boost testosterone, as is exercise, getting enough sleep, and managing mental health.
Gary David is the founder and CEO of CrazyMass, one of the nation’s leading supplement companies. Before starting CrazyMass in 2006, Gary was a bodybuilder and personal trainer for several gyms throughout Northwest Michigan, helping clients meet their fitness goals. Gary happily worked in this profession for over 15 years. He saw that most weight gaining products to increase muscle were made with ingredients that were dangerous or of poor quality. He knew there was a safer and healthier way to do this, so he created a special blend of herbs, amino acids, and nutrients to help bodybuilders slim down and gain muscle.
Although Gary no longer participates in bodybuilding competitions, he continues to be involved in the community, helping others prep for shows and attending events where he can advertise CrazyMass products. When Gary isn’t working long hours, he likes to spend his time working out at the gym, boating on Lake Michigan, traveling the trails around Northern Michigan by four-wheeler, and spending time with his family. He also loves to take a yearly trip to Europe with his wife and children.
