What to Expect on Tren (17 Pros and Cons)

Trenbolone is an incredibly potent anabolic steroid that bodybuilders use to simultaneously gain muscle and burn fat (1).

A well-known mantra in bodybuilding is ‘eat Clen and Tren hard‘ — for one seeking the ultimate physique.

Some of our patients come to the conclusion that Trenbolone isn’t worth it due to its harsh side effects, being one of the most toxic steroids a person can take (physiologically and psychologically).

However, others argue that Tren’s adverse effects are exaggerated and not notably worse than those of other anabolics.

Firstly, it is important to understand that each person will respond differently to Trenbolone based on their genetic code, making them more or less prone to certain side effects.

However, below are 17 effects that we have found consistent in Trenbolone users at our clinic.

Monster Strength

Trenbolone’s effects on strength are truly exceptional, especially as it doesn’t aromatize and cause water retention.

We have come to understand that every competitive powerlifter will be running Trenbolone in their stack before a meet. 

We have known of users who are relatively new to anabolic steroids, adding almost 100 pounds to their bench press on Trenbolone within the first month of a cycle.

This surely is a positive; however, bodybuilders will want to be careful not to lift excessively heavy during their first few Trenbolone cycles; to allow their muscles and tendons time to adapt. Otherwise, rapid increases in strength will leave users more susceptible to injury. We have treated men with hernias, torn muscles, and ruptured tendons as a consequence of lifting too heavy.

Shortness of Breath

It is not uncommon for users to experience shortness of breath when walking up the stairs or doing light exercise on Tren.

This happens due to a rise in blood pressure, indicating decreased blood flow to the heart; thus, deeper breaths are needed to increase oxygen supply.

Muscle Gains

It is no surprise that muscle gains on Tren are exceptional, with it being 5x more anabolic and androgenic than Testosterone.

How much muscle a user will gain on Tren will depend on their level of past steroid use.

For example, if a beginner utilizes low doses of Trenbolone, their results in terms of muscle hypertrophy will be remarkable (gaining approximately 30 lbs of lean muscle).

However, someone who has regularly used various steroids in the past may not gain as much, although taking Trenbolone could certainly take their muscle size to the next level, gaining 10-15 extra pounds (which is impressive for an intermediate steroid user).

Confidence of a King

Tren users will ooze confidence due to incredible surges in exogenous testosterone. This will bring out a person’s inner alpha male to the maximum.

This powerful aura will be observed by everyone around them, and not only will confidence improve on a social level but also on a primal level.

Hair Loss

We have found Trenbolone to be one of the most likely steroids to cause hair loss, recession, or thinning on the scalp due to its highly androgenic nature.

However, we have had some patients report approximately 80% of their hair loss reversing back post-cycle, after dihydrotestosterone levels regulate back to normal.

Hair loss may be restored post-cycle for those using Tren sparingly. However, others looking to run regular Tren cycles long-term will face an uphill battle to preserve their hairline.

Thus, for those wanting to keep their hair as thick and full as possible, it may be wise to avoid Trenbolone, instead opting for less androgenic steroids such as Dianabol or Deca Durabolin. In our experience, these two anabolic steroids do not cause dihydrotestosterone levels to rise to excessively high levels.

Fat Loss

Trenbolone is a potent fat burner due to it being highly androgenic, with the AR (androgen receptor) stimulating lipolysis in adipose tissue.

How much fat a user will lose will depend on their training and diet.

Thus, someone bulking on Tren and eating in a generous calorie surplus may stay at the same body fat.

However, someone cutting on Tren, eating in a calorie deficit, and doing regular HIIT may lose 6% of body fat in an 8-week cycle.

Generally, we have found Trenbolone’s fat-burning effects to be overpowered by its ability to pack on muscle; thus, most will utilize Trenbolone when trying to gain lean mass.

Constant Pump / Muscle Fullness

Pumps will be extreme during workouts, but this will also be a common theme outside of the gym due to increased glycogen storage.

Tren Cough

Tren cough can be described as a ‘dry cough’ that occurs when injecting Trenbolone, lasting for several seconds.

We have found that respiratory distress can also occur when injecting other steroids, such as Testosterone Cypionate.

This is not thought to be serious and is most likely related to Trenbolone’s high androgenicity, causing inflammatory lipids (prostaglandins) to become activated. Thus, upon injection, vasoconstriction of the muscular wall (in the bronchus) causes some irritation to the lungs.

Sweating

Trenbolone stimulates the central nervous system, increasing the production of adrenaline and therefore inducing thermogenesis. One benefit of this is that the metabolism increases, helping users burn more calories naturally throughout the day.

However, the negative effect of high adrenaline levels is increased sweating in and out of the gym.

Bodybuilders at our clinic have reported waking up in the middle of the night in a puddle of sweat on Trenbolone. Thus, to inhibit excessive adrenaline, we advise users to reduce their caffeine intake when cycling Tren. Sleeping with a fan next to the bed will also help cool the body down.

Hair Growth (on the Body)

Due to elevated DHT levels, we see Tren users sometimes experience androgenetic alopecia, meaning a loss of hair on the scalp (2).

However, for the rest of the body, users can expect faster and thicker hair growth (3), which can be advantageous for men coveting more grandiose beards.

Insomnia

If you struggle to fall asleep at night, Trenbolone may not be a suitable steroid due to its stimulative effects on the CNS (central nervous system), causing insomnia.

We have found that one way to overcome ‘Trensomnia‘ is to eat ample amounts of steak, chicken, or turkey before bedtime, combined with large quantities of carbohydrates. These 3 types of meat are rich in l-tryptophan, an amino acid that has sedative qualities, helping to soothe users’ central nervous systems. Combining l-tryptophan with carbohydrates in a meal aids absorption and amplifies its soothing effects.

Our patients have found that taking a hot bath before bedtime is also effective for unwinding and overcoming insomnia. Supplements such as GABA, red grape seed extract, and valerian root may also help, in conjunction with teas such as chamomile or lavender.

We have found that when a person cannot sleep despite altering their diet, taking supplements, and various other means to calm down, their body can become more catabolic due to a rise in cortisol. This can exacerbate Tren’s side effects, further increasing blood pressure and somewhat inhibiting fat loss and muscle growth. In this case, another steroid may be more effective than Trenbolone, not in terms of potency but because sleep is vital for optimal body composition.

Better Sex

With testosterone, androgen, and nitric oxide levels surging, blood flow will increase to the penis, positively affecting size and erection quality.

This often makes for a better sexual life for many users (albeit temporarily).

However, the opposite effect can also happen to some users. Reduced libido and weakened erections can occur due to Trenbolone indirectly increasing prolactin levels via the shutdown of the hypothalamus, negatively affecting feedback regulation of this lactating hormone.

In this instance, we have found that cabergoline, a dopaminergic that is medically used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin), helps to restore optimal sexual function.

Dark Urine

Tren users at our clinic sometimes report their urine turning a dark colour on-cycle. This is due to Trenbolone’s thermogenic effects, which effectively dehydrate the body.

Thus, it is important for bodybuilders to increase their water intake on Tren, which will result in their urine returning to its normal colour.

Irritability

Trenbolone is likely to shorten a user’s patience due to its stimulative effect.

Simply put, it is more difficult to stay cool with an elevated heart rate and high levels of adrenaline.

For many, Trenbolone is an emotional rollercoaster, with mood swings by the hour.

Photoshopped Look

If a person is already lean before starting their Tren cycle, they will begin to look photoshopped due to a combination of:

• Reduced water levels
• Full muscles
• Increased vascularity
• Trapezius and deltoid muscles ballooning in size

We have seen that the trapezius and deltoid muscles are more susceptible to hypertrophy on Tren due to their higher androgen receptors, causing them to respond particularly well to androgenic steroids.

A notable reduction in extracellular water can make a lean person look considerably more ripped. However, a person higher in body fat may not notice any increases in muscle definition, merely from shifts in water.

Acne Breakouts

If a person is prone to acne vulgaris, Trenbolone is likely to cause further breakouts due to its androgenic nature. This is particularly common on the back (known as ‘bacne’).

Tren causes acne due to androgens stimulating the sebaceous glands, causing increased sebum production, which is a waxy substance used to moisturize the skin.

However, when there is an excess of this viscous fluid, it can block the pores, leading to cystic acne in very sensitive users.

We have found that isotretinoin, better known as Accutane, can help bodybuilders who suffer from acne but want to experience the benefits of Trenbolone (or other androgenic steroids).

Depression

The positive effects on mood and confidence while on Trenbolone are truly indisputable. However, as the saying goes, ‘What goes up must come down‘.

From our blood tests, we know that the post-cycle crash can be fierce on Tren, indicative of damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) and deficient endogenous testosterone levels.

We have even had bodybuilders report random bouts of depression. This may occur due to infrequent injections, thus occurring during a time when serum testosterone levels taper off (just before a new dose).

Therefore, Trenbolone may exacerbate mental health issues, and thus vulnerable individuals should steer away from this steroid.

After a Tren cycle, we typically see low testosterone levels causing lethargy and diminished sexual function, as well as depression. These side effects can last several weeks or months, hence why we recommend bodybuilders opt for aggressive PCT (post-cycle therapy).

Below is a PCT protocol developed by Dr. Michael Scally, a hormone replacement expert. This trio of medications has proven to be a great success at our clinic and in clinical trials for restoring the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) from anabolic steroids.

When 19 steroid-induced hypogonadal men were given Dr. Scally’s PCT protocol in a clinical setting, 100% of them recovered their endogenous testosterone production within 45 days.

Here is what they took:

• HCG: 2000 IU administered every other day for 20 days
• Nolvadex: 2 x 20 mg for 45 days
• Clomid: 2 x 50 mg for 30 days

This is considered an aggressive PCT and thus suitable for utilizing post-Trenbolone use. 

Summary

You cannot definitively know what to expect from Tren until you inject it, as people have different experiences based on their genetics.

One man can become hypertensive under our care after a few cycles, whereas another man’s blood pressure can remain in the normal range.

We see the negative side effects of Tren occurring more at higher dosages (over 400 mg/week).

Thus, less is more is a good rule when cycling potent steroids like Tren, with there essentially being a cut-off point of diminishing returns once you go past a certain dose (we see this at around 300 mg/week).

Furthermore, almost every Trenbolone product is different based on the UGL (underground lab) manufacturer and their skill at formulating a pure product.

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