What Is Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
There’s only so much humans can do naturally while trying to attain the glorified body that fitness influencers, since time memorial, have portrayed as the peak male physique.
However, no matter how many hours you spend pumping iron at the gym or consuming thousands of calories each day like a maniac, the physique of Mr. Olympia is unattainable without performance-enhancing drugs.
Many people in the bodybuilding community are often deceived by these “fitness influencers” who claim they are natty, but it’s not hard to see who’s in gear and who’s not if you’ve been around for a long time
In any case, if you’ve ever considered or are considering taking performance-enhancing drugs such as SARMs, you’ve probably heard of Post Cycle Therapy, PCT in short.
Post Cycle Therapy is a type of protocol that bodybuilders follow if they have completed using a cycle of performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids or SARMs. We know for a fact that these PEDs (Performance-Enhancing Drugs) offer increasing muscle growth but have side effects such as suppressing your natural production of Testosterone.
That’s where PCT comes in; with a combination of various medications and a few adjustments to your lifestyle, this period minimizes the negative effects of PEDs and restores the body’s natural hormone and testosterone production.
While we prefer the natural way of bodybuilding and do not advocate the use of various performance-enhancing drugs such as SARMs, we do think it is important to share the information that we have attained through experience to keep you safe and reduce the risks that surround the use of it.
Read on as we engage deeper into PCT and SARMs and answer a series of important questions that will help you mitigate adverse effects and achieve your dream physique the “safe” way.
Do SARMs Need PCT?
The simple answer to this question is while some SARMs need PCT after a cycle, some don’t. However, certain factors play a role, which we will explore shortly.
First, we need to understand how SARMs work. SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) selectively bind to the androgen receptors in our muscles and bone tissues. They mimic the effects of Testosterone in these tissues that increase muscle strength and growth.
Even so, while they indeed boost the growth and strength of muscles by mimicking the effects of Testosterone, this, in turn, makes the body think that you have too many tests, and as a result, it produces less of its own.
Some SARMs specifically target androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissues while reducing activation in other tissues, such as sebaceous glands or the prostate gland, reducing the androgenic side effects that most SARMs come with.
Yet, it doesn’t fully eliminate the potential risk of natural testosterone production suppression, and an individual may find themselves needing PCT.
The fact is that needing PCT after a SARM cycle may vary depending on the individual’s response. Some users may experience a very minimal suppression that can be recovered naturally, while others may require PCT.
Other factors that play a role in determining if an individual needs PCT come down to the type of SARM used, dosage, cycle length, gender, genetics, and overall health status.
It is impossible to generally state if a person needs PCT since it may vary, and a blood test is the only reliable source to determine it.
So, in general, even with those SARMs that trigger minimal suppression, since it can vary from person to person, it is best to consult a healthcare professional and gear up for blood tests, then decide on the need for PCT accordingly.
Does PCT Increase Testosterone?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, depending on the individual or product and other factors, a cycle of SARMs can generally suppress the body’s natural production of Testosterone.
While PCT does not directly increase Testosterone beyond normal levels, a proper PCT gives your body the boost it needs to increase testosterone production that the use of SARMs has suppressed.
With the use of certain medications and a lifestyle change, a proper two- to four-week PCT helps the body restore its endogenous testosterone production, minimizing risks and promoting hormonal balance and overall well-being.
What Is the Best PCT To Take After A SARMs Cycle?
Unless you’re one of the naturally lucky at-birth individuals whose body and its testosterone production are not fazed by the use of SARMs, which is highly unlikely, you’ll need to run a proper PCT protocol.
As such, you’ll wonder what the best supplement/medication to take for your PCT is. Some of the best PCTs to take after a SARM cycle are as follows:
Rebirth PCT
One of the best and most common PCTs you can take after a moderate SARMs cycle is the Rebirth PCT.
The mixture of various potent ingredients in this supplement, such as D-Aspartic acid (proven to boost testosterone levels), will easily boost your hormones to natural levels while maintaining the lean muscle mass, strength, and energy you’ve achieved.
Clomid PCT
On the other hand, if you’ve been on SARMs with more dosage than normal and had a cycle length of more than 12-16 weeks, surely it will have serious negative effects on your body and its natural testosterone production. In times of harsh cycles and extreme test suppression, Clomid PCT acts as a savior since it is powerful enough to get your hormones back to their natural levels.
In addition to your supplements, make the most out of your PCT protocol by making adjustments to your lifestyle.
This includes proper nutrition intake, getting enough protein to maintain your muscle mass, maybe adding a testosterone booster, training hard, and getting enough rest to the list to quickly recover from any adverse effects.
What Happens If You Don’t Do A PCT After SARMs?
The purpose of a proper PCT protocol is to help your body recover from the testosterone production suppression caused by the cycle of SARMs and increase it to normal levels.
If you don’t do a PCT after a SARM cycle, the adverse effects of suppressed Testosterone are as follows:
- Hormonal Imbalance- With your natural testosterone levels suppressed, you’ll suffer from symptoms such as low libido, mood swings, and fatigue.
- Loss Of Gains- Without proper Post Cycle Therapy, you’ll lose all the progress and gains you accumulated during your cycle.
- Increased Health Risks- The longer your natural hormone production stays suppressed and imbalanced, in the worst-case scenario, you risk health complications such as liver toxicity, cardiovascular issues, etc.
While it depends on certain factors such as individual response, dosage, cycle length, and so on, in general, a proper PCT protocol needs to be done to mitigate any risks involving a SARM cycle.
Even though SARMs are not as potent as steroids when it comes to adverse effects, they are known to suppress your natural hormone production.
If you’re planning on taking on a SARM cycle, ensure that you assess yourself properly after the end of it by taking blood tests and maintaining a proper PCT protocol for maximum gains.
