AAS and cell alterations
From "Anabolics" 9th edition by William Llewellyn
"Are the gains from steroid use permanent?"
Yes, and no. steroids can help you do two basic things in regards to muscle growth, first they can allow you to more rapidly
reach your genetic limits for muscle growth. provided you continue to train actively, eat properly and use an effective
PCT program, you should be able to maintain at your genetic limit indefinitely. So in this regard, the early gains do not
have to be temporary.
Later, steroids can allow you to push well beyond your genetic limits. It is important to emphasize this, as extreme physical
development cannot be maintained long-term without the repeat administration of anabolic substances. The body will always
revert back towards its normal metabolic limits once AAS are removed. In this context, some of the gains will not be permanent.
Steroids do permanently alter the physiology of your muscles by adding more cellular nuclei. With higher nuclei content, each
muscle cell can manage its volume more efficiently, which allows more rapid expansion. Even after a long period of complete
abstinence from training and AAS, the nuclei remain. This may provide a "muscle memory" effect, allowing you to reach your
genetic limit (perhaps a slightly extended limit) faster than if you had never used AAS. So, in this regard, there are lasting
benefits beyond the temporary increase in muscle size itself.
So there is some evidence that using these substances acts to change the way the body responds to androgens or even
the response from training itself. I'll post more info when I find it.
