Pheraplex

What is Pheraplex?

Pheraplex is a synthetic and orally active anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that was never approved for medical use. It is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is chemically known as desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT). It is also often referred to by the nickname "Madol." Pheraplex was one of the "designer steroids" at the center of the BALCO professional sports doping scandal.

Side Effects and Benefits

As a potent anabolic-androgenic steroid, Pheraplex can have both desired effects (benefits) and severe unwanted effects (side effects).

Potential Benefits (for users):

• Anabolic Effects: It is known for its strong anabolic properties, which can lead to significant muscle growth and increased strength. In some animal studies, it has been shown to have an anabolic effect greater than testosterone.

• Androgenic Effects: It is also androgenic, meaning it promotes the development of male characteristics. While this is a "benefit" for some users seeking enhanced masculinity, it is also the source of many of the negative side effects.

Side Effects: The side effects of Pheraplex are typical of 17α-alkylated oral anabolic steroids and can be severe.

• Hepatotoxicity (Liver Damage): A major concern with 17α-alkylated oral steroids is their potential to cause liver damage.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Pheraplex can negatively affect cardiovascular health, potentially leading to increased blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart's main pumping chamber).

• Androgenic Side Effects: These are common and can include acne, male-pattern baldness, and in women, can lead to virilization (deepening of the voice, excessive body hair, and clitoral enlargement).

• Suppression of Natural Hormone Production: Like other anabolic steroids, Pheraplex use will suppress the body's natural production of testosterone, which can lead to testicular atrophy and infertility.

• Cholesterol: It can cause a negative change in cholesterol levels, reducing "good" HDL cholesterol and increasing "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Pros and Cons

Pros (from a user's perspective, though highly discouraged):

• High Anabolic Ratio: Studies in rats suggest a favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, which some users might see as a "pro."

• Oral Administration: It is an oral steroid, which is often seen as a convenience for those who want to avoid injections.

Cons:

• Severe Health Risks: The potential for liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and other serious side effects makes its use extremely dangerous.

• Illegal and Banned: It is a controlled substance in many countries (e.g., a Schedule III anabolic steroid in the U.S. and a Class C substance in the U.K.) and is banned by all major sports organizations.

• Unregulated Market: As it was never a medical drug, its distribution is entirely on the black market, which means products can be counterfeit, contaminated, or inaccurately dosed, adding to the health risks.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no standardized medical dosage for Pheraplex as it was never intended for human therapeutic use. Information on dosage is only available through anecdotal reports from the illicit steroid-using community. Such information is unreliable and should not be followed.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The elimination half-life of Pheraplex is reported to be relatively short, around 2-4 hours.

• Detection Time: While the half-life is short, its metabolites can remain in the body for a much longer period. Detection times for anabolic steroids are highly variable and depend on the substance, dosage, duration of use, individual metabolism, and the type of test being used (urine, blood, or hair). For DMT specifically, metabolites can be detected in urine for a prolonged period, often for several weeks or even months after use is discontinued, especially with sensitive testing methods.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Estrogenic Effects: Pheraplex is a derivative of DHT, and therefore, it cannot aromatize into estrogen. This means it does not cause estrogenic side effects like gynecomastia (male breast tissue growth) or water retention. However, this lack of estrogen can lead to other issues, such as negative impacts on cholesterol levels.

• Progestronic Effects: There is little to no information suggesting Pheraplex has progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin Effects: It is not typically associated with prolactin-related side effects, unlike some other anabolic steroids that may have a progestogenic effect which can, in turn, increase prolactin levels.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

In animal studies on rats, Pheraplex has an anabolic effect that is 160% that of testosterone and an androgenic effect that is 60% that of testosterone. This gives it an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of approximately 2.66:1.