Clenbuterol for Bodybuilding or Performance
Those who know will likely tell you Clenbuterol is one of the best when it comes to promoting weight loss. That is, for people who are not afraid to try such illegal substances to get what they want. Some even say this is a secret of many celebrities when it comes to driving weight loss.
This must be quite effective then – you may conclude. But how effective is it? Are there risks you need to be aware of? This article addresses all you need to know.
Clenbuterol Overview
Clenbuterol is a sympathomimetic amine – it works on the sympathomimetic nervous system. You may likely know it by such trade names as Spiropent, Dilaterol, or Ventipulmin. Many people consider it a steroid, although it is technically not.
The steroid-like compound, which is popularly referred to as clen, is a synthetic drug. It was originally created for treatment of breathing disorders. The chemical functions as a powerful bronchodilator and an effective decongestant.
As a bronchodilator, clenbuterol helps to dilate or widen vessels that transport oxygen. It also assists in thinning the blood in order to keep blood pressure under control.
Some countries, including those in Europe, approve the use of clenbuterol for treatment of asthma. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve its use for similar purpose, supposedly because there are already other approved drugs serving similar purpose.
Clenbuterol was approved in the past, including in the U.S., for use in farm animals intended for consumption by humans. It helped to increase lean muscle mass and reduce fat.
But use in animals has since been banned in many countries, especially in the developed ones. This was after food poisoning incidents were reported in different places from consumption of animals containing its metabolites.
Clenbuterol lasts very long in the body, making its effects felt for longer.
Why is Clenbuterol Popular Among Bodybuilders and Celebs?
From our discussion so far, you are likely wondering why many bodybuilders and celebrities use this compound. The simple answer is that it is thermogenic. This is why clenbuterol is a very popular inclusion in many weight loss programs. Many anabolic steroid users, such as pro bodybuilders, take it for this same reason.
The chemical increases the temperature of the body. When this happens, a person’s metabolism runs faster and more triglycerides are broken down. This is how clenbuterol can help the user to lose body fat more rapidly.
This steroid-like substance is able to help because it is a beta-2-adrenergic agonist. It counters the effects of a beta blocker. Clen actively excites the beta-2 receptor. This stimulation causes the mitochondria of cells to produce more heat, which, in turn, fires up metabolism.
The compound also promotes some level of muscle protein synthesis.
As a result of its beta-2 agonist effect, clenbuterol can boost production of epinephrine and noradrenaline. Sufficient amount of these neurotransmitters are not only beneficial for weight loss, but also for greater energy.
Professional bodybuilders and athletes also use clen for performance enhancement. Research has shown that it may promote muscle growth and recovery from injury. It can also help to prevent muscle breakdown.
Most likely because of its performance enhancing benefit, the World Anti-Doping Agency has banned clenbuterol use by all athletes. It is prohibited both in and out of season. Former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is among those that have been penalized for testing positive to the drug.
How is it Used?
How you use clen depends on the goal you have in focus. The doses you take for therapeutic reasons may not be appropriate for aesthetic purposes.
When being used to treat a medical condition, such as asthma, its usage usually starts at a dose of 20 mcg. But up to 40 mcg a day may safely be recommended for this purpose. Higher amounts – however, no more than 120 mcg – a day could be required to correct breathing disorders in rare cases.
The starting dose for aesthetic purpose – bodybuilding or fat loss – is typically higher. This is usually around 40 mcg per day, but will need to be lower for some women.
Users often need to increase this dose gradually in order to maximize the benefits of clenbuterol. This is because of the down-regulation of the beta-receptor.
Different program cycles are employed by bodybuilders and athletes to get the most out of clenbuterol. These include taking it for two successive days or weeks and then taking a break of two days or weeks. Some use it for a week and stay off it in the following week.
There are still individuals who use clen continuously, varying the dose at intervals, until they achieve their goal.
You can take clenbuterol orally or with the use of injections. For fat-burning, it is advisable to use it during daytime to enable you make the most of the metabolic effect.
Does Clenbuterol Work?
Based on what you have read up to this point, you may conclude that this steroid-like compound does work. However, there is a caveat: do not expect it to work if you avoid exercising.
As beneficial as clenbuterol could be, you still need to do regular exercise to maximize its benefits. Those that are known to get great results from it, including pro bodybuilders and athletes, maintain proper training regimen. So, you will also need to get off the couch often to see any improvement from using clen.
It will also be important to closely watch what you eat. The fact that clenbuterol can rev up fat-burning is not a license for a person to eat recklessly. If you fail in this regard, it should come as no surprise in case you do not see improvement.
Many people in the bodybuilding community can certainly testify to the efficacy of clenbuterol. It helps in putting finishing touches to all that may have been achieved through proper training and dieting. Pro bodybuilders typically use it in the final weeks leading to a competition.
Can You Buy Clenbuterol in the U.S.?
It is practically impossible to buy clenbuterol from a pharmacy in America. The lack of FDA approval makes this so. There is no company manufacturing it in the country.
However, you can easily get clen online. It is available from many anabolic steroid sellers. Some regular drug suppliers, usually from other countries, also offer it. It is not difficult to get pharmaceutical grade offerings from these online portals.
You should note, though, that you stand at risk of being prosecuted for possession of illegal substance. The only way you will be able to get off the hook is by successful proving you got it for research purpose. Otherwise, you will be in soup if law enforcement decided to pursue a case against you.
What are the Risks and Side Effects?
We have come to an aspect that dissuades many people from using clenbuterol. This is because there are numerous risks and side effects associated with use. This is probably a major reason it is banned in many places.
Besides, the typical recourse to the black market for supply doesn’t help matters either.
You should be aware that clenbuterol is a stimulant. This makes it likely to produce very strong and unpleasant side effects. These include:
- Headaches
- Shaky hands
- Anxiety
- Higher body temperature
- Unusual sweating
Usually, these will subside as the body gets used to the compound. But this is not always the case; some will be forced to stop taking clenbuterol altogether as a result.
On account of its beta-2 agonist effect, the drug can cause potassium loss. You may also experience depletion of taurine, which is a major reason for muscle cramps some people report from using the chemical. Adequate hydration can help to control this.
There are still other more disturbing side effects that could result from using this drug. Among these is sleeping difficulty, a result of the stimulating effect. Its half-life stretches well beyond a day, making it a bad idea to use later in the day.
Clen may lead to irregular, maybe fast, heartbeat as well as high blood pressure. Irregular, faster heart rate has the potential for more troubling problems. It can bring about a condition that is referred to as cardiac hypertrophy.
The disorder is characterized by abnormal swelling or thickening of the heart muscle. This reduces the ability of the organ to pump blood to tissues. It can bring about a heart attack and even death.
There is also fear that clen could be addictive. This is because it supposedly contains the natural brain chemical dopamine.
Consider HGH
In the light of the side effects associated to clenbuterol, it won’t be a bad idea to explore for a safer alternative. There are many of them out there, or so it seems.
One of the safer options available is human growth hormone (HGH). This is a substance you already have in your body. The problem here is that the levels may not be sufficient. And this raises the need to find a way to boost levels.
HGH injections are available for raising the amount of growth hormone in the body. Professional bodybuilders are thought to take these for improving results, although it is illegal. Banned substances are not uncommon among this group of users anyway.
Research has shown that growth hormone can help to build lean muscle mass faster. It is also thought to help shed body fat. Bodybuilders and athletes also use it for boosting performance. HGH offers most, if not all, of what you can hope to get from clenbuterol.
The fact that it is illegal to use synthetic HGH for fat loss or bodybuilding doesn’t mean the end of the road. There are good natural supplements, such as GenF20 Plus, Provacyl, Hypergh 14x and Somatropinne, which are not only cheaper but also safer than HGH injections. These stimulate the pituitary gland to release more growth hormone.
Clenbuterol is an effective drug that can help you burn body fat and have a great body. It may also give you a performance boost. It is not an alternative to regular training and healthy diet, though, but a complement.
The main downsides to the steroid-like chemical are the numerous side effects. You may be better off using a good, natural HGH supplement or even a natural substitute like Clenbutrol. Although such products may be less effective, they are safer, legal, and cheaper.
REFERENCES
Clenbuterol – Supplement Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com (https://examine.com/supplements/clenbuterol/)
Clenbuterol – Steroid .com (https://www.steroid.com/Clenbuterol.php)
Clenbuterol: Uses, side effects, and risks (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319927.php)
Clenbuterol – Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clenbuterol)
