Nequals1
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Continued from the previous post.
Conclusions and Implications
Phase 1:
Daily application of 10 p/d UH resulted in severe skin irritation that required the study be stopped. Splitting the dose into two applications of 5 pumps 6h apart did not resolve the irritation. It is possible that this split dose would not lead to severe irritation if the study was started using this paradigm originally. Other users of UH report no such problems, or that OTC moisturizer is sufficient to address dry and irritated skin. Nonetheless, this rat suffered severe dermatitis requiring the application of prescription strength cortisone cream for several days.
Despite the early halt to this study, some results from phase 1 were obtained. Most notably, was a decrease in erection frequency and hardness. While somewhat disappointing, this decrease was not accompanied by a reduction in libido. Quite the opposite, libido was enhanced significantly using 10 p/d compared to baseline or to 5 p/d. As an aside, intimacy was positively impacted with increased overall satisfaction by both parties involved. The same can be said for solo performances in which the subject was similarly eager to engage in and thoroughly satisfied with the overall experience and outcome.
Another notable observation from phase 1 was an improvement in the feeling of alpha-maleness reported by the subject. This is subjective quality is defined by this investigator by feelings of (i) being able to accomplish any task; (ii) willingness and ability to push physical limits in the gym, (iii) greater control over emotional responses, and (iv) willingness and ability to exert opinion/authority/dominance in a range of social situations and environments. This factor was also measured when subject received the standard dose of UH (5 p/d) but was more pronounced when UH was administered at twice the daily dose (10 p/d).
Finally, it is worthwhile to note that body hair was seen to have increased in length. While specific measurements of length and density were not made, several indirect assessments suggest that 10 p/d UH increased the overall length of pubic hair in the groin and under the arms. There appeared to be less of an effect of UH on chest and abdominal hair length, and little or no effect on arm or leg hair. As far as mechanism, we did not observe an increase in density of hair follicles resulting from new follicles or from the activation of previously dormant follicles. Rather, it appears that the hairs grew longer and at a faster rate. This was most observed in the facial and pubic regions. Collectively these observations prompt the hypothesis that UH may increase the period of anagen growth or delay the onset of the catagen phase of hair loss. It is important to note that there were no signs of hear loss from the head.These suggestions should be taken lightly as they are based on purely observational qualitative data and not hard measurements. However, for those interested in using UH to improve overall virility, this observation combined with the positive effects on alpha-like behaviors, supports further exploration.
Phase 2:
The observational secondary endpoints for phase 2 were similar to phase 1 and will not be repeated here.
Application of 10 p/d UH for 14d increased plasma levels of DHT by almost 3x over baseline, but this was equivalent to the levels achieved overall with only 5 p/d (92 vs 95 ng/dL). This lack of a dose-dependent effect may be explained by one or more of the following three mechanisms:
In conclusion, UH does not yield a dose-dependent increase in plasma DHT when administered at more than 5 pumps per day. The most likely explanation for this is lack of a dose effect is saturation of the absorption of UH or the enzymes converting androsterone and epiandroseterone to DHT. Although plasma levels did not increase beyond those achieved at 5 p/d, 10 p/d increased several subjective criteria monitored including libido, overall alpha-maleness, and body hair. The lack of an effect on plasma DHT with a concomitant increase in these other factors suggest that the overall benefit of UH may depend on local tissue levels or overall exposure rather than those at steady state. One additional factor to consider may be time. The duration of this study was originally planned for 28d. It was necessarily extended to 69d because of the irritation caused by the high dose of UH. When the study was restarted, 10 pumps were applied for 14d before DHT was measured. The total duration of UH exposure was 38d at 10 pumps/day, almost 3x longer in duration that the previous study. Correcting for dose and duration, 10 p/d for 38d yields ~10x the amount of UH administered compared to 5 p/d for 14d. Thus, these secondary endpoints may reflect a desirable outcome that is only achieved with a longer duration of exposure at a higher dose. Regardless, UH continues to be a reliable supplement for increasing DHT levels naturally.
Conclusions and Implications
Phase 1:
Daily application of 10 p/d UH resulted in severe skin irritation that required the study be stopped. Splitting the dose into two applications of 5 pumps 6h apart did not resolve the irritation. It is possible that this split dose would not lead to severe irritation if the study was started using this paradigm originally. Other users of UH report no such problems, or that OTC moisturizer is sufficient to address dry and irritated skin. Nonetheless, this rat suffered severe dermatitis requiring the application of prescription strength cortisone cream for several days.
Despite the early halt to this study, some results from phase 1 were obtained. Most notably, was a decrease in erection frequency and hardness. While somewhat disappointing, this decrease was not accompanied by a reduction in libido. Quite the opposite, libido was enhanced significantly using 10 p/d compared to baseline or to 5 p/d. As an aside, intimacy was positively impacted with increased overall satisfaction by both parties involved. The same can be said for solo performances in which the subject was similarly eager to engage in and thoroughly satisfied with the overall experience and outcome.
Another notable observation from phase 1 was an improvement in the feeling of alpha-maleness reported by the subject. This is subjective quality is defined by this investigator by feelings of (i) being able to accomplish any task; (ii) willingness and ability to push physical limits in the gym, (iii) greater control over emotional responses, and (iv) willingness and ability to exert opinion/authority/dominance in a range of social situations and environments. This factor was also measured when subject received the standard dose of UH (5 p/d) but was more pronounced when UH was administered at twice the daily dose (10 p/d).
Finally, it is worthwhile to note that body hair was seen to have increased in length. While specific measurements of length and density were not made, several indirect assessments suggest that 10 p/d UH increased the overall length of pubic hair in the groin and under the arms. There appeared to be less of an effect of UH on chest and abdominal hair length, and little or no effect on arm or leg hair. As far as mechanism, we did not observe an increase in density of hair follicles resulting from new follicles or from the activation of previously dormant follicles. Rather, it appears that the hairs grew longer and at a faster rate. This was most observed in the facial and pubic regions. Collectively these observations prompt the hypothesis that UH may increase the period of anagen growth or delay the onset of the catagen phase of hair loss. It is important to note that there were no signs of hear loss from the head.These suggestions should be taken lightly as they are based on purely observational qualitative data and not hard measurements. However, for those interested in using UH to improve overall virility, this observation combined with the positive effects on alpha-like behaviors, supports further exploration.
Phase 2:
The observational secondary endpoints for phase 2 were similar to phase 1 and will not be repeated here.
Application of 10 p/d UH for 14d increased plasma levels of DHT by almost 3x over baseline, but this was equivalent to the levels achieved overall with only 5 p/d (92 vs 95 ng/dL). This lack of a dose-dependent effect may be explained by one or more of the following three mechanisms:
- A daily dose of 5 p/d represents the maximal dose of UH that can be absorbed when applied to the skin of the upper chest, shoulders, traps, inner bicep and axillae. Additional pumps applied at the same time or 6h later do not appear to be able to surmount this maximal absorption. Only changing the permeability of the skin or the carrier in UH will overcome this limitation.
- The conversion of the androsterone and epiandrosterone into DHT is at least a two-step enzymatic processes (requiring 17-b-HSD and AKR1C4 or AKR1C2) . Either one of these necessary enzymes may be saturated at the 5 p/d dose, leading to a maximal plasma level of 95 ng/dL DHT at steady state regardless of the amount of substrate provided.
- Plasma DHT is measured at steady state. Consequently, the peak and trough levels of DHT resulting from the application of 5 or 10 p/d are not captured. Only the steady state plasma levels at a single time-point are measured after more than 7 days of dosing. A 10 p/d dose may elicit a max plasma level or exposure that is indeed higher than 5 p/d but that data is not captured here.
- Finally, as stated previously, plasma DHT may not be reflective of tissue DHT. In this case, UH is applied to the upper chest, shoulders and arms. Samples of DHT and UH in these tissues taken at a series of timepoint immediately following application and lasting for at least 24h would be more informative of the levels of DHT produced in target tissues (Skin, skeletal muscle) at a given dose of UH. Moreover, the desired effects of UH on overall virility and muscle mass are not necessarily dictated by plasma DHT.
In conclusion, UH does not yield a dose-dependent increase in plasma DHT when administered at more than 5 pumps per day. The most likely explanation for this is lack of a dose effect is saturation of the absorption of UH or the enzymes converting androsterone and epiandroseterone to DHT. Although plasma levels did not increase beyond those achieved at 5 p/d, 10 p/d increased several subjective criteria monitored including libido, overall alpha-maleness, and body hair. The lack of an effect on plasma DHT with a concomitant increase in these other factors suggest that the overall benefit of UH may depend on local tissue levels or overall exposure rather than those at steady state. One additional factor to consider may be time. The duration of this study was originally planned for 28d. It was necessarily extended to 69d because of the irritation caused by the high dose of UH. When the study was restarted, 10 pumps were applied for 14d before DHT was measured. The total duration of UH exposure was 38d at 10 pumps/day, almost 3x longer in duration that the previous study. Correcting for dose and duration, 10 p/d for 38d yields ~10x the amount of UH administered compared to 5 p/d for 14d. Thus, these secondary endpoints may reflect a desirable outcome that is only achieved with a longer duration of exposure at a higher dose. Regardless, UH continues to be a reliable supplement for increasing DHT levels naturally.