Considering a steroid cycle but unsure what impact it will have on your body? That’s a total normal thought to have, don’t worry.
The trouble is, there is so much information online regarding anabolic steroids, that some of it is not quite as trustworthy as you may think.
Much like any new drug, supplement or even workout regime, there will always be misinformation available online. While your mate down the gym may have sold you on the idea of trying out safe steroids to take, the truth is, no anabolic steroid is 100% safe.
If you checked out any of our previous articles on the likes of Deca Durabolin, Dianabol, Trenbolone or Anadrol, you’ll be well clued up on their original intended use. While several popular bodybuilding steroids have been approved by the FDA, “safe steroids to take” are considered safe when prescribed to patients.
Yep, that’s right. These popular anabolics weren’t intended for guys to get shredded. No matter their use, there are always side effects to look out for.
But what is considered the safest anabolic steroid? We take a closer look.
Which is the safest steroid to use?
While any medical professional will tell you to steer clear of these anabolic steroids beyond their medicinal use, some users have reported the safest anabolic steroid to take is the one less strenuous on the heart.
With side effects varying greatly from one steroid (and user) to the next, any type of damage to the heart is the most dangerous of side effects to avoid. With the potential to spike your blood pressure, even the “safest” anabolic steroid could put you at risk of stroke or even a heart attack.
The next side effect to be wary of is liver toxicity. The power of even the safest steroids can be detrimental to your liver – which may lead to liver failure and even death. Alongside this, what some users may consider the safest steroid to take can still result in the following side effects:
- Gynecomastia (man boobs)
- Water retention and bloating
- Hair loss
- Acne
Safe steroids to take: The rise of SARMs
While many deem certain anabolics as safe steroids to take, the rise in SARMs in recent years has made many consider if the potential side effects of anabolic steroids is worth the gains.
Alongside this, SARMs are sort of legal. However, thet do sit in a grey area where the FDA are concerned. These selective androgen receptor modules can have a huge impact on muscle growth, with fewer side effects.
Safe steroids to take: Testosterone
Some consider testosterone the safest steroid to take. Big on muscle growth and a little safer for the heart, testosterone is the first steroid to ever be synthesized. Originally developed in this way back in 1935, its original intention was to treat depression.
However, in recent years, testosterone has been considered one of the safest steroids for those looking to beef up. So much so that beginners can gain around 15 to 20 pounds from their first T cycle alone. After this period (200 to 350mg per week dose), a higher dosage (tp to 500mg weekly) in future cycles can add a further 10 to 15 pounds.
Since testosterone is considered the oldest steroid around, many consider this popular compound to be the safest anabolic steroid – especially for beginners.
Although, it’s worth bearing in mind that it is predominantly used as a bulking steroid – while also being frequently used as part of a stack. With minimal impact on your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, its low risk on the heart makes it feel like the safest steroid to take.
Is testosterone the safest steroid to take?
Although no anabolic steroid is considered 100% safe, some users claim that testosterone is the safest steroid cycle to take. According to research, 300mg of testosterone per week over a 20-week cycle can cause a 13% decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol.
Meanwhile, further research has shown that a high 600mg dose per week may cause excessive cardiovascular strain, as well as a 31% decrease in HDL cholesterol levels.
Also Read: Legal Steroid Alternatives That Work Fast
Despite these frightening figures, testosterone’s impact on the heart is still considered less than other bodybuilding steroids – which is why many deem it the safest anabolic steroid to take. That being said… Further studies have shown that even a small dose of testosterone can increase your risk of premature death due to cardio concerns.
However, where the liver is concerned, testosterone as the “safest steroid” has shown to pose few risks.
Does testosterone have any other side effects?
Despite many considering testosterone the safest steroid to take, it is not completely free of all side effects.
Some users have reported some rather uncomfortable side effects, from acne, gynecomastia (man boobs) and hair loss to water retention.
Since this steroid aims to increase your testosterone levels to an unnaturally high amount, the body responds by trying to increase estrogen in order to combat the rise. This can often result in gynecomastia – an increase in breast tissue in men, forming dreaded “man boobs”.
In this instance, some users run an AI (aromatase inhibitor) or a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) to try to prevent gynecomastia. However, these strategies are not guaranteed to fight off unwanted breast tissue. Plus, they have the potential to increase your blood pressure, which can lead to further health risks.
So, what other potential (although, less life threatening) side effects can you expect from testosterone? Here’s just a few:
- Hair thinning
- Acne
- Water retention
- Testosterone suppression
Hair loss or recession may be reversed via post cycle therapy (PCT), much like testosterone suppression. However, if the hair follicle is permanently damaged, hair loss can be permanent.
If you choose to skip PCT, your body’s natural testosterone production can be damaged long term. As well as this, the gains earned during your cycle can quickly drop off, too.
Popular safe and legal steroid alternatives
Is Anavar the safest anabolic steroid?
A hot favorite in bodybuilding circles, Anavar is incredibly popular due to three main reasons:
- It is taken orally (no need for injections)
- Both men and women can use it
- Relatively weak side effects
Unlike testosterone, Anavar is usually used as a cutting steroid, helping its users to cut fat to reveal that beautiful lean muscle we all crave. While stripping back fat, Anavar also has the power to increase muscle size and strength – with relatively weak side effects.
So, is Anavar the safest steroid cycle to consider? Well, it kinda depends on your goals. Oh, and what you consider to be “weak” side effects.
More powerful at cutting through fat (in comparison to testosterone), Anavar can help users gain around 10 pounds of muscle on a dosage of 15 to 20mg per day for six weeks.
If your focus is to bulk and get huge gains, testosterone may be the better option.
In terms of its use for both men and women, testosterone is not considered the safest steroid for women. Unless they’re looking to gain a beard, of course. However, in this case, Anavar is one of the very few steroids that women can take with fewer risks.
Even on half the dose of its male user, women can experience a huge amount of fat loss and muscle gain in a 4 to 5 week cycle on a dosage of 5 to 10mg per day.
So, is Anavar the safest anabolic steroid around? Well, thankfully for its user, it doesn’t cause water retention, so the risk of man boobs is out the window. Alongside this, users have reported Anavar to cause little stress on the liver.
Anavar side effects
Like any anabolic steroid, no matter how “safe” some users claim them to be, they aren’t free of certain side effects. Much like testosterone, Anavar will also cause some testosterone suppression. For some, it may be several weeks to months for their testosterone levels to return to normal.
However, Anavar won’t suppress your T levels completely, so it’s entirely up to you if you head into PCT after your steroid cycle.
Although your testosterone levels are only mildly at risk, Anavar does have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels. With studies showing that users experienced a 30% drop in good (HDL) cholesterol levels across a 12 week Anavar cycle at a dose of 20mg. In users taking 40mg, they experienced a 33% drop in HDL, while 80mg users had a huge 50% decrease.
Also Read: The Best Steroids For Weight Loss – Steroid Comparison
In order to fight back against these cholesterol changes (which affect blood pressure, therefore putting strain on the heart), it is recommended that users incorporate regular cardio into their workouts.
Anavar: The safest steroid cycle?
It’s no surprise that many consider Anavar the safest steroid to take, since it has the power to boost fat loss and help you get shredded.
However, it is worth noting that Anavar can have an impact on your testosterone levels. Although it may not shut down your T production completely, it will decrease. Post-cycle therapy is recommended to help your body kick start its natural production once again.
While users of testosterone will notice significant muscle gain, Anavar is aimed at those looking to cut – rather than bulk up.
Example Anavar cycle
| Week | Anavar Dose |
| 1 | 15mg/day |
| 2 | 15mg/day |
| 3 | 15mg/day |
| 4 | 20mg/day |
| 5 | 20mg/day |
| 6 | 20mg/day |
What’s the safest anabolic steroid: Primobolan
If you’re wondering, ‘which is the safest steroid to use?’ there’s no doubt you will have come across Primobolan before now.
Yet again, an oral, cutting steroid, Primobolan (or “Primo”) is often considered one of the safest steroids around. In a medical setting it has been given to underweight infants, with no negative repercussions. With an intention to help users gain lean mass, it’s no surprise that Primo has been picked up by bodybuilders.
Much like Anavar, Primo doesn’t aromatize, therefore avoiding water retention. Plus, Primo isn’t considered an androgenic steroid – meaning it can be tolerated by female users at a dosage of 50 to 75mg per day.
Does Primo have any side effects?
In a similar fashion to Anavar, Primo will also affect your cholesterol (good) levels. This means you may notice some fluctuations in your blood pressure and cholesterol levels – more so than some other anabolic steroids, such as Deca Durabolin and testosterone.
Of course, you’re going to have to expect some testosterone suppression yet again while using Primo. However, the decrease you experience can depend on your duration and dose.
Again, PCT is optional, although some users highly recommend it to avoid losing your gains and damaging your testosterone production long term.
Is Deca Durabolin the safest steroid to take?
Users often consider Deca Durabolin the safest steroid – after testosterone. Primarily used for a bulking cycle, Deca Durabolin is also an injectable steroid, which takes weeks to build up in the body.
When taken alone, its power is somewhat limited, which is why many prefer to stack it in order to maximize their muscle and strength gains. It is frequently cycled with testosterone, Anadrol or Dianabol – however, this combination can result in further side effects.
As we’ve touched upon previously, these anabolic steroids have been approved for medicinal use, with Deca Durabolin used to treat anemia, working to increase lean mass and red blood cell count in bone marrow. In the past, it has also been used to treat HIB, osteoporosis and dwarfism.
Thankfully, deca durabolin is not androgenic, which means you’re not at risk of acne or hair loss. Plus, it can also be tolerated by female users, in short to moderate cycles.
Deca durabolin side effects
Unfortunately, despite often being branded the safest steroid cycle to take, Deca Durabolin is not without its own set of side effects. Deca’s ability to increase estrogen is deemed to be 20% of testosterone, however, users may still experience high-estrogen-like side effects.
Much like the previous steroids we have mentioned, deca also affects your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, which can increase your blood pressure. Research has shown that a 600mg weekly dose of deca can cause a 26% reduction in good (HDL) cholesterol.
However, a usual dose sits at around 200 to 400mg per week for male users. Despite some considering deca the safest steroid cycle, its power to suppress your testosterone can be huge. In just 6 weeks at a dose of 300mg, studies have shown it can lower T levels by a whopping 70%.
Dianabol: The safest steroid?
Not yet approved by the FDA for medicinal use, there’s a huge question mark above whether Dianabol (check online deals here) is considered one of the safest steroids to take. However, it is more tolerable than other steroids, which is why some users consider it the safest steroid cycle.
If you’re new to steroids, you’ll have come across Dbol long before now, with Dbol-only cycles a common introduction into the world of bodybuilding steroids.
A similar compound to testosterone, however, Dbol is more anabolic, less androgenic and also an oral steroid. During a Dianabol cycle, it’s likely you will gain more muscle than on testosterone, while experiencing less androgenic side effects such as:
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Oily skin
Dianabol side effects
A C-17 alpha alkylated steroid, Dbol passes through the liver with a notable amount of strain. However, this is a short-lived side effect, since the liver restores itself after your cycle. That being said, many users opt for a TUDCA supplement for extra liver protection during their cycle.
So, what’s the worst thing about Dbol? Its effects on your blood pressure. Its impact on your HDL cholesterol levels can have a detrimental effect on your blood pressure, therefore putting strain on your heart. Also, Dianabol is estrogenic, causing noticeable amounts of water retention and bloating.
Other side effects include:
- Testosterone suppression
- Potential for gyno
Which anabolic steroids are the most dangerous?
While some users consider the steroids above to be the safest steroids, there are always pros and cons to every option. Alongside this, some are certainly considered pretty dangerous, including:
- Anadrol – An oral steroid with significant risks to cholesterol levels and T suppression
- Trenbolone – Injectable steroid, never approved for human use
- Winstrol – Oral steroid with huge risks and is incredibly liver toxic
Bulk up and get shredded the SAFE way
Although the Internet is filled with users telling you about the safest steroid cycle to do, the reality is, they all have their downfalls.
Whether it’s putting your liver at risk of toxicity, hair loss, man boobs or even huge heart risks – it’s just not worth it.
So why not cut fat and earn HUGE gains the safe, legal way? Our 100% safe and natural steroid and SARMs alternatives have been carefully formulated to support your bulking and cutting goals, with ZERO side effects.
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