Dianabol 101: Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives

Bodybuilding is one of the most physically and mentally demanding activities there are. You need the utmost discipline and determination to put in countless hours in the gym and maintain a clean diet. Because of this, many athletes result to taking anabolic steroids to aid this process.

The use of steroids and performance-enhancing substances dates way back to early Greek civilizations. However, it wasn’t until 1958 that the “Godfather of Steroids” Dr. John Bosley Zieglar created the anabolic steroid we know as Dianabol.

Dr. Zieglar worked closely with the US Olympic weightlifting team in the 50s as the team physician. During his work with them, he saw the Russians suffering from androgenic side effects of the drug Dianabol was based on. Working with CIBA pharmacies, they reduced the androgenic aspect while increasing the anabolic one in this steroid. After “perfecting” the chemical makeup of the drug, they later introduced it as Dianabol.

What is Dianabol?

Dianabol (also called Dbol and Methandrostenolone) is the world’s first oral steroid,  introduced to the world. Prior to its introduction, you would administer steroids through syringe and needle. Because of this newfound convenience, its rise to popularity was almost meteoric.

The FDA initially approved the sale and distribution of Dbol in 1958, before the FDA revoked its approval entirely in 1985. Later in the year 1990, non-medical use of Dbol was deemed illegal by the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of the same year.

This drug was used and abused for a large part of the 60s and 70s. Some professional bodybuilders who are rumored to have taken this steroid are the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sergio Olivia. These guys are said to have guzzled these pills like candy. And because many prominent bodybuilders openly used it, Dbol was often referred to as “The Breakfast of Champions.” 

How it works

When scientists created anabolic steroids, they wanted to mimic the effect of your body’s natural testosterone production. Hence, steroids are essentially derivatives of testosterone. This increase in testosterone is what generally leads to rapid muscle growth and bulk.

Dbol works by magnifying the protein synthesis in the muscle tissues. The primary contributor to protein synthesis is your body’s ability to retain nitrogen. When your body digests the Dbol pills, this leads to increased levels of nitrogen within it. The increase in nitrogen levels is the natural response of your body to the drug.

Your body then carries the released nitrogen to the rest of your muscles through the bloodstream. The nitrogen even helps your body with increased RBC (red blood cell) production.

Meanwhile, your metabolism spikes up too, along with other biochemical reactions happening within your body. These biochemical reactions result in increased energy throughout the day, especially for demanding physical workout sessions.

When the blood carrying the increased nitrogen and RBC reaches your muscles, it breaks down within the bulk of the muscle tissue and turns into protein. When the protein reaches the targeted muscles, the tissue absorbs them quickly. Consequently, a series of aerobic digestion occurs in the presence of oxygen. Once these reactions take place, the muscles become pumped up and exceed their previous capabilities. This is mainly attributed to the protein being the essential building block for muscle growth. Based on the muscle structure, the layers of tissue leverage protein, digesting it for growth and strength advantages.