Do Prohormones Work?

What Are Prohormones?

Prohormones are compounds that act as precursors to active anabolic hormones like testosterone. Once ingested they undergo enzymatic conversion in the body and transform into active steroid hormones that can help increase muscle mass, strength and recovery. Unlike anabolic steroids which are already active when taken, prohormones rely on your body's natural processes to activate. 

Prohormones have been a staple in bodybuilding and hardcore supplement circles since the late 90s, though regulatory crackdowns and advancements in chemistry have drastically changed the landscape over the years. Today's prohormones are non-methylated where as prohormones in the past were methylated and were liver toxic and very hard on the liver and other organs. 

Methylated Vs. Non-Methylated Prohormones

Methylated Prohormones

The original wave of prohormones in the late 90s and early 2000s included methylated compounds. These were chemically altered (through 17-alpha alkylation) to survive liver metabolism and remain active in the bloodstream. The trade off however is that same modification made them toxic to the liver and harsher overall on the body, often requiring liver support supplements and more aggressive Post Cycle Therapy (PCT).

Non-Methylated Prohormones

Today's prohormones are non-methylated ie a newer generation designed to be safer and less liver toxic. While non-methylated prohormones may be slightly less potent and deliver slightly less dramatic results on a milligram to milligram basis, they're easier on the organs and still deliver impressive anablic effects, particularly when paired with absoprtion enhancing delivery systems like liposomal technology ie think Hi-Tech Pharaceuticals Cyclosome Delivery. Non-methylated prohormones are ideal for those looking for gains without the side effects that come with harsher compounds. 

Types of Prohormones

1. 1-Andro (1-Androsterone / 1-DHEA) 

• How it works: Converts into 1-Testosterone, a powerful anabolic compound.

• Effects: Lean muscle gains, hardening effect, strength increase, minimal water retention.

• Ideal for: Users wanting clean, dry gains and improved vascularity.

• Products: Hi-Tech 1-Testosterone, Hi-Tech 1-AD, Blackstone Labs Chosen1

2. 4-Andro (4-Androsterone / 4-DHEA)

• How it works: Converts to testosterone via a two-step enzymatic process.

• Effects: Mass gains, strength, improved libido, mood enhancement, slight water retention.

• Ideal for: Bulking cycles and those seeking size and performance boosts.

• Products: Hi-Tech Androdiol, Hi-Tech Andriol, Blackstone Labs Brutal 4CE

3. Androsterone

• How it works: Converts to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen.

• Effects: Increased strength, aggression in the gym, fat loss, muscle hardness.

• Ideal for: Cutting phases or recomposition; also useful for enhancing libido.

• Products: Hi-Tech Halodrol, Hi-Tech Superdrol, Blackstone Labs Metha-Quad

4. Epi-Andro (Epiandrosterone)

• How it works: Converts into DHT, similar to Androsterone, but usually considered milder.

• Effects: Lean, dry muscle gains, increased vascularity, fat burning, strength.

• Ideal for: Cutting and drying out before a photo shoot or competition.

• Products: Hi-Tech Dymethazine, Hi-Tech Winstrol, Blackstone Labs Superstrol-7

5. 19-Nor (19-NorDHEA / NorAndro)

• How it works: Converts to nandrolone (Deca), a strong anabolic hormone.

• Effects: Joint support, size gains, enhanced recovery, minimal androgenic sides.

• Ideal for: Bulking cycles, joint relief, and users sensitive to DHT side effects.

• Products: Hi-Tech Decabolin, Hi-Tech Trenabol, Hi-Tech Deca-Durabolin, Blackstone Labs Abnormal

Do Prohormones Actually Work? Do Guys Get Results?

While some skeptics will say non-methylated prohormones aren't as good as the old methylated prohormones or that today's prohormones are underdosed, while it's true they aren't quite as effective as the old school stuff, they still do deliver great results and they're much safer with much fewer side effects.

What Type of Gains Can I Expect? How Many Pounds of Muscle Will I Gain?

We're constantly getting customers asking how much muscle they can expect to gain from their cycle. This is tough to say, everyone responds to supplements differenty including prohormones. We also don't know what your diet, training schedule, or sleep routine is like which is going to heavily play into the type of results that you get. That said we do talk to a ton of customers who run various prohormones as stand alones as well as every combination of stacks you can imagine and here's what we've seen.

On a lean muscle or cutting cycle ie something like 1-Testosterone and Winstrol or 1-Testosterone and Deca-Durabolin, we've seen guys put on anywhere from 3-7 pounds of lean muscle over the course of an 8 week cycle. Some guys may gain more and others less but that seems very reasonable and possible.

On a lean bulking cycle ie something like Halodrol and Decabolin we've seen guys put on 4-10 pounds of muscle over an 8 week cycle. And lastly with a heavy bulking cycle we've talked to and seen guys put on 8-15 pounds of muscle over the course of an 8 week cycle. While we do occasionally talk to guys who claim to put on 18 pounds of muscle during a cycle this is probably unlikely or at the very least they are rare outliers. 

Wrapping Up

So do today's non-methylated prohormones work and deliver results? Absolutely. Are today's non-methylated prohormones as effective as prohormones of the past? No they aren't, however they are much safer and have much fewer side effects, they also don't require the extensive liver support and PCT regimens and prohormones of the past required. 

If you're looking for results beyond what natural muscle builders like Turkesterone and Laxogenin can deliver you may want to look into prohormones. If you're looking for lean muscle and strength and prioritize definitionand a lean frame over size and mass focus on 1-Andros, Epiandros and 19nors. If as much size as possible is what you're chasing and  you don't mind sacrafacing some definition go for heavy bulkers like Sustanon 250 and Equpoise. And if you're physique goals fall somewhere in the middle, focus on lean bulking prohormones like Superdrol, Halodrol, or Monster Plexx among others.