Dianabol (methandrostenolone / methandienone)
Muscle & Strength · Oral anabolic steroid (C17-aa)
Tier C+
What this is
Developed by Ziegler for US weightlifters in the 1950s to counter Soviet testosterone use. Classic 'kickstart' of injectable cycles. Short half-life (~5 hr) — often dosed multiple times daily. Severe hepatic strain if used >6 weeks. High Benefit reflects rapid performance effects; low Safety reflects nonmedical C17-aa steroid use.
Mechanism
17-alpha-alkylated oral anabolic; AR agonist; moderate aromatization to methylestradiol; rapid strength/size gains via increased protein synthesis and glycogen retention
Dose & route
Typical illicit: 25-50 mg/day PO for 4-6 weeks
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15705014/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25436181/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20417927/
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062581
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482418/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.