Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate)

What is Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate)?

Equipoise is a brand name for the drug boldenone undecylenate. It is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that is a synthetic derivative of testosterone. It is chemically similar to testosterone but has a double bond at the C1 and C2 positions. This modification changes its properties, making it more anabolic and less androgenic compared to testosterone. The undecylenate ester attached to the boldenone molecule makes it a long-acting injectable drug, as the ester slowly releases the boldenone into the body.

Another name for boldenone undecylenate is boldenone undecenoate.

Benefits and Side Effects

Benefits (in veterinary use):

• Anabolic Effects: Equipoise is known for its strong anabolic properties, promoting protein synthesis and muscle growth.

• Increased Appetite: It can significantly increase appetite.

• Improved Physical Condition: In debilitated horses, it is used to improve overall physical condition, weight, and hair coat.

Side Effects (in humans, based on veterinary and illicit use observations):

• Androgenic Effects: While its androgenic activity is considered moderate, it can still cause androgenic side effects such as acne, hair loss (especially in those with a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness), and a deepening of the voice.

• Estrogenic Effects: Boldenone has a low rate of aromatization, meaning it converts to estrogen at a much lower rate than testosterone. However, it can still cause mild estrogenic side effects like water retention.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Long-term, high-dose use of anabolic steroids can have negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

• Reproductive System Effects: It can suppress natural testosterone production, leading to a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels, seminal volume, and sperm count, which can result in male infertility.

• Liver and Kidney Damage: While boldenone is not 17$\alpha$-alkylated, which is a common cause of liver toxicity in oral steroids, long-term, high-dose use has been associated with negative effects on liver and kidney health.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong Anabolic Properties: It is effective at promoting muscle growth and protein synthesis.

• Moderate Androgenic Activity: The reduced androgenic activity makes it less likely to cause severe androgenic side effects compared to some other steroids.

• Low Aromatization: It has a low rate of conversion to estrogen, which can be beneficial for those who are sensitive to estrogenic side effects.

• Long-Acting: The undecylenate ester allows for less frequent injections.

Cons:

• Illicit and Unregulated: Equipoise is not approved for human use and its use is illegal in many places. This means there is no quality control or medical supervision.

• Side Effects: Despite its lower androgenic and estrogenic activity, it still carries significant health risks, including those related to the cardiovascular and reproductive systems.

• Long Detection Time: Its long-lasting nature makes it easily detectable in drug tests for a very long period.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no standard or medically approved human dosage for Equipoise as it is not meant for human use. Information on dosage and frequency comes from illicit use and is not safe to follow. In veterinary medicine, specifically for horses, the dosage is typically 0.5 mg per pound of body weight, administered intramuscularly, and may be repeated at three-week intervals.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The elimination half-life of boldenone undecylenate is approximately 14 days. This means that after injection, it takes about 14 days for the concentration of the drug in the body to decrease by half.

• Detection Time: Due to the long undecylenate ester, boldenone can be detected in the body for a very long time. Trace amounts can be detected in a steroid test for up to 1.5 years.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic (Estrogenic): Boldenone has weak estrogenic effects because it aromatizes at a low rate (about 50% of the rate of testosterone).

• Progestronic: Boldenone has little to no progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: Boldenone is not typically associated with an increase in prolactin levels.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio of boldenone is approximately 100:50. This indicates that it has an anabolic rating of 100 (the same as testosterone) but an androgenic rating of 50 (half of testosterone's androgenic rating). However, these are general reference numbers and individual response can vary.