Why do people say that PCT is necessary? It is not!

QUADMONSTER

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There are many people out there who use gear and never run PCT and feel absolutely fine without side effects.

I come on here and I read that if you don't do PCT your gains will be lost and so forth and you will feel like ****.

But then I research it and I come across other message forums where people say they don't do PCT and feel great and know people that do not ever do PCT and feel fine.

So what is it? Why the need for PCT if so many people feel great without it? Had their test levels checked without PCT and were perfectly normal! Plus keep their gains! Also from what I have read, PCT was unheard of as little as 10 years ago. Many claim its a waste of money! Here's an example of what I am talking about.

Who doesn't run pct?

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/professional-muscle-forum/55055-how-did-bodybuilders-keep-gains-before-there-pct.html
 
mountainman33

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It's generally about restarting the natural process faster, using your natural hormone production to help you maitain as much of the gains you got on cycle as possible. You don't have to run PCT, but you really should.
 

kisaj

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Like mentioned, it is about speeding up the recovery process. Although, I know plenty of people that ran cycles and PCT and never came back to pre cycle levels, so it is no guarantee.
 
mixedup

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Pct is kinda like a cycle u use juice to speed up gains you use pct to get back to normal quicker. Just like some people put on muscle fSter some people recover faster
 
blacklac

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We've all read stories of people losing all their gains due to lack of a solid PCT. Why even chance it?
 

MuscleJ

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This is one point, it's all about getting it started faster. You can feel good with your hormones out of whack but if you feel good and all labs check out then there you go save your money, But don't go off the feeling of your mood. You can recover from a cold faster if using a antibiotic but you can also just wait it out. It wasn't really unheard of it was just harder to obtain, they didn't have the same internet abscess as we do today, I don't recall going on AOL and trying to find roids.

It's generally about restarting the natural process faster, using your natural hormone production to help you maitain as much of the gains you got on cycle as possible. You don't have to run PCT, but you really should.
 
dezzy84

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I've done the wait it out version a couple of time it was fine. I'm also relatively young. I think their are several variables involved including what type of anabolic your on (nandrolone, trenbolone) being the worse. I had a hard time recovering from tren even with PCT. But I notice Testosterone and dht derivatives I recover easy from. And before the 80's I read guys just tapered off and toughed it out.
 
mixedup

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I've done the wait it out version a couple of time it was fine. I'm also relatively young. I think their are several variables involved including what type of anabolic your on (nandrolone, trenbolone) being the worse. I had a hard time recovering from tren even with PCT. But I notice Testosterone and dht derivatives I recover easy from. And before the 80's I read guys just tapered off and toughed it out.
Before the 80's dosages were a lot different too 400mg test 30 mg dbol much easier to come down. Shoot when I first started eq only came 50mg/ml think about the amount of oil it take to get to today's dosages
 

kisaj

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In the end I think it comes down to, do you want to give yourself every advantage to come back to where you were or roll the dice.
 
Dma378

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It's like car insurance. You may never get into an accident, but it's wise to have it.
 
specmike

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If you hang around long enough you'll continue to see people on each far end of the spectrum. Some guys come in complaining about lost gains, no libido, test shut down, symptoms of jaundice, gyno etc and they also admit that they did no PCT. Then you have those mutants that claim to take a 30 week cycle of the most toxic orals known to man washed down with a daily quart of whiskey and show no sides whatsoever.

But, most people fall under the bell curve and need some PCT. The people on each end of the spectrum are the extreme minority but they will typically be the most vocal. That's who you see posting in forums. There's valid science and years of cumulative experience/evidence behind PCT.
 
warbird01

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lol good luck trying to keep your gains without a PCT. It's hard enough with a PCT.
 
Nitro41

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Run a heavy epi/tren cycle and blast the last 2wks hard and jump off cold turkey....youll have bigger boobs then your ol lady in a couple weeks.

Its about strategy, sure if you low dose and do a slow taper youll be fine, but these days most PH runs are 6-8wks and you blast the last couple the hardest, then do a quick recovery period(aka pct) then set up for another heavy blast in a couple months.
 
USABEERDRINKR

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For me PCT is more about preventing gyno than keeping gains. I hardly ever lose all of my gains, but I always lose some
 
Dma378

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...and then the OP disappears with no defense for his statement. Just spouting nonsense.
 

kisaj

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Oh, are you not familiar with the OP? Lol. His posts are great to follow. He throws chum and sits back watching people get riled up.
 
Dma378

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Oh, are you not familiar with the OP? Lol. His posts are great to follow. He throws chum and sits back watching people get riled up.
Sweet. I'll look for the next one. I like opportunities to be a smart ass.
 
T-Bone

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http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/259866-anavar-cycle-problem.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/259863-creatine-necessary-if.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/259801-need-new-creatine.html


http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259799-honest-squats-necessary.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/259662-safe-take-pain.html


http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259627-can-someone-explain.html


http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259616-what-kind-squat.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/259572-how-important-milk.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259570-planet-fitness-really.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/259555-saving-new-home.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/general-chat/257620-two-physiques-choose.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/257612-nick-jonas-says.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/pro-bodybuilding/257568-reasons-why-big.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/bulking/257559-missing-post-workout.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/257554-number-leg-exercises.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/257527-possible-get-gyno.html


http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/257514-anavar-only-cycles.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/nutrition-health/259973-why-do-so.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259970-bad-form-arnold.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/pro-bodybuilding/259979-whats-more-impressive.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/steroids/259971-what-did-pros.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/nutrition-health/260188-bulking-during-holidays.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/260100-think-back-when.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/training-forum/259990-wtf-arnold-using.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplements/259986-anything-wrong-bodytech.html

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/pro-bodybuilding/259979-whats-more-impressive.html
 
fueledpassion

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People that lose all their gains due to lack of PCT are also people running 3-4 week cycles. With cycles that short, they'd likely lose all their gains anyways (unless it was one of their first cycles)

If you have been running AAS for 16-20 weeks and ate appropriately and trained as often as possible, the gains will stick around so long as the diet and training remain appropriate. Sure, some glycogen retention goes away and the blood thins out as well as a little bit of fat gain could be expected but it shouldn't be dramatic.

However, too many folks do these two very things that makes PCT and a quick recovery a mandatory situation for them:

1) Run short, harsh oral cycles only
2) Do not eat the right proportions, macros and choices of foods to support a lean, muscular physique in the first place

So it is no wonder that people don't hold onto gains. Their approach to dieting and training requires AAS to be successful!
 
QUADMONSTER

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So basically what it comes down to, is that as long as you continue to lift and use progressive overload and focus on hitting enough macros for each day, then most your gains will stick with you.

You can lose all your gains as well just by not following those things if you haven't done a cycle to begin with. Good luck getting gains if you don't eat enough and lack focus and progressive overload in the gym without even doing a cycle.
 
fueledpassion

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So basically what it comes down to, is that as long as you continue to lift and use progressive overload and focus on hitting enough macros for each day, then most your gains will stick with you.

You can lose all your gains as well just by not following those things if you haven't done a cycle to begin with. Good luck getting gains if you don't eat enough and lack focus and progressive overload in the gym without even doing a cycle.
Correct. This is why most people always recommend that u learn how to lift and eat before doing a cycle, otherwise the gains will come and go and the effort remains unproductive in the end.

This was my story when I did the PH cycles 2-3 times per year. Now adays, I have specific goals in mind during cutting and bulking periods and the AAS is simply there to create more efficiency, but not determine success or failure. I'm getting results with or without.
 
Rodja

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So basically what it comes down to, is that as long as you continue to lift and use progressive overload and focus on hitting enough macros for each day, then most your gains will stick with you. You can lose all your gains as well just by not following those things if you haven't done a cycle to begin with. Good luck getting gains if you don't eat enough and lack focus and progressive overload in the gym without even doing a cycle.
Good luck with continuing any sort of progressive overload when your test levels are in the tank and your cortisol is at its highest.
 
QUADMONSTER

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****in been off my cycle for 3 days and performance hasn't been negatively impacted at all. If something serious was happening inside my body I would have felt it by now. Drinking has ****ed up my performance more in the past than ending this little cycle I was on. It was only 3 weeks. Everyone settle down a little bit. It may not have even been real Var. I am starting to think it wasn't since I haven't felt anything different since I stopped taking the pills.
 
Rodja

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****in been off my cycle for 3 days and performance hasn't been negatively impacted at all. If something serious was happening inside my body I would have felt it by now. Drinking has ****ed up my performance more in the past than ending this little cycle I was on. It was only 3 weeks. Everyone settle down a little bit. It may not have even been real Var. I am starting to think it wasn't since I haven't felt anything different since I stopped taking the pills.
Didn't we establish in another one of your ridiculous threads that it was fake?
 

kisaj

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And where did anyone come across as caring about your cycle? This is general talk.
 

barrymcokiner

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I recently ran Triumph and 1000mg of Stano for 8 weeks and only used LGI Rehab for PCT. I recovered fine....obviously using a good PCT will get you back to normal quicker..and everyone is different. I've also ran high dose Hdrol for six weeks and didn't use any PCT besides DAA and I recovered fine off that also. Cheers!
 
Rodja

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I recently ran Triumph and 1000mg of Stano for 8 weeks and only used LGI Rehab for PCT. I recovered fine....obviously using a good PCT will get you back to normal quicker..and everyone is different. I've also ran high dose Hdrol for six weeks and didn't use any PCT besides DAA and I recovered fine off that also. Cheers!
Do you have bloodwork confirming this or is just a "feeling?"
 
QUADMONSTER

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Didn't we establish in another one of your ridiculous threads that it was fake?
Well then it makes me feel even better because I know my increase in gains I set today are natural.
 
fueledpassion

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****in been off my cycle for 3 days and performance hasn't been negatively impacted at all. If something serious was happening inside my body I would have felt it by now. Drinking has ****ed up my performance more in the past than ending this little cycle I was on. It was only 3 weeks. Everyone settle down a little bit. It may not have even been real Var. I am starting to think it wasn't since I haven't felt anything different since I stopped taking the pills.
Well, steroids remain active in the system for weeks usually. I recall a 2 week residual strength and pumps from a 3 week SD cycle. So 8-12 week IM cycles last week's after discontinuing.

My earlier point is mainly around getting the diet and training in order regardless if u cycle or not. I still think PCT is wise but it's a vain effort if u have crappy discipline in diet and training.

The metabolic and strength effects of a 10 week Tren-E cycle can last another 4-6 weeks easily. For me, I didn't start getting fatter again until 2 months after stopping. Didn't stop having night sweats until 3 months after stopping.
 
QUADMONSTER

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I see. So I could possibly continue to experience gains for a few weeks even though my cycle ended this past Monday?
 
fueledpassion

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I see. So I could possibly continue to experience gains for a few weeks even though my cycle ended this past Monday?
Yes, hormones carry slow-moving messages. Other chemicals are instant, like stimulants.

Hormones are to postal mail service as stimulants are to email.

So just because u stop introducing hormones into the body, because of their slow-moving messages and the half-life as well, activity related to that hormone will still go on for a bit.

Using that same analogy, imagine if u sent an instructional message via postal service to someone and later decided to send a different message while the original was still in transit. You'd have to send another message in lieu and for a few days, ur recipient would still be following the original instructions. This is essentially what happens when we start or stop hormone use.
 

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