What Is PCT In Bodybuilding?

If you're considering taking performance-enhancing drugs, you're probably interested in learning more about Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). 

While working hard and achieving your desired physique is achievable with hard work, dedication in the gym and the best aesthetic workout routine, professional bodybuilders' physiques are not solely the result of consuming large quantities of calories and spending hours pumping iron.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are used to help men achieve bulging muscles that are above their natural ability.

So what is PCT? And what happens if you don’t do it after taking performance enhancers? Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you should know about PCT. 

What is PCT?

PCT, or post-cycle therapy, is a precise regimen that must be followed following a cycle of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to restore the normal hormone levels in users. Several drugs classify as performance enhancers, including prohormones, SARMs, and androgenic anabolic steroids

Once consumed, whether by eating, drinking, or injecting, all PEDs reduce your body's natural testosterone production. Even if only used for a short time, they can have a significant negative impact on hormone levels.

This means that when your PED cycle is through, your body's hormone production will have to restart. That's where post-cycle therapy comes in, to help you re-establish hormonal production and recover as rapidly as possible.

Although your body may recover on its own, you should not take this chance because recovery could take months and could hinder your exercise routine, while also making you feel quite ill or out of sorts in terms of emotions. 

When Should You Start PCT?

How soon you should start PCT depends on the compounds you have used in your training. These are the three main performance enhancers used in bodybuilding and when you should start PCT:

1. Prohormones - the day after the cycle has finished
2. Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) - the week after your cycle has finished
3. SARMs - The day after the cycle has finished

It's important to note that no matter the performance-enhancing chemical you use, you'll need a PCT, so do your research to find out when you start on PCT based on the drug used. 

Even if it was a brief cycle with only one drug, your hormones will have been repressed. Don’t use a short cycle of performance enhancers as an excuse not to do PCT as you may regret it when you feel down or sick after. 

What Happens If You Don’t Use PCT?

If you don't use PCT after a PED cycle, it could take months, if not longer, for your hormone levels to return to normal.

During those months, your testosterone levels will be at an all-time low. They will be so low in fact that there will not be enough testosterone to support your mood, muscle mass, or libido. You will notice that you will feel very tired and sluggish, and just moving normally will feel like it takes a lot of effort. 

You'll feel miserable if your hormones don't rebound adequately. Also, the lack of testosterone may cause you to lose all of the gains you've achieved in the last few months, with your muscles shrinking considerably as a result.

What Are Some Good PCT Supplements? 

There are several PCT supplements on the market. These are some of the ones favored most by gym-goers and bodybuilders. 

Rebirth PCT

Rebirth PCT is a product designed exclusively for use as a Post Cycle Therapy.

Each serving consists of six capsules containing only clinically proven ingredients that can help you recover.

It was created to resume and boost testosterone production, something that few other drugs can accomplish. Components in Rebirth PCT have been scientifically proven to have a positive and immediate effect on your hormones.

Because it kicks in immediately, you'll notice that your muscle mass, strength, libido, and mood all remain normal even when you're not on a PED cycle.

CLOMID PCT

This is a prescription PCT meaning that you cannot get it over the counter or buy it online. Clomid (Clomifene) is without a doubt one of the most effective PCT medications available, but it is also the strongest you can get. Bodybuilders who have taken a lot of anabolic steroids are the ones who use this drug the most.

Clomid is commonly taken for 2 to 4 weeks at a dose of 20 to 50 mg per day. We don't recommend increasing the dosage for safety reasons because it's extremely potent compared to other PCT treatments available.

Nolvadex PCT

Nolvadex (also called Tamoxifen) is one of the most commonly utilized forms of post-cycle therapy. It's typically used in moderate to heavy cycles with numerous compounds that stay in the body longer than other PCT drugs.

This drug will aid in the production of testosterone faster than other PCT medications. It is, however, not available over-the-counter and must be obtained through a prescription.

The usual dosage for this PCT treatment is 10 to 40 mg per day for 2 to 4 weeks.

Advice For Getting Through PCT

Many users dread getting off-cycle and beginning post-cycle therapy, but it's not as bad as it seems so long as you do it correctly. Here are some tips for you to try out when doing PCT. 

1. Keep working out, but do not overtrain, and stop if you feel tired even if you have not done as much. Your body needs time to adjust to life without steroids, so you may be unable to do as much as you usually do

2. Saying that, keep the weight you're lifting consistent. Although it's natural to see a slight decrease in strength, aim to keep the numbers as high as possible.

3. Make rest a key priority; it will assist both your muscles and hormones. This means a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day.

4. Include other natural products in your program to help you grow muscle. BCAA supplements are an example of a supplement worth investigating.

5. Make sure you eat well and maintain a healthy diet. Another crucial part of maintaining your gains and speeding up your hormonal recovery is to do this. 

Takeaway

Anyone considering a performance-enhancing drug cycle should educate themselves on the significance of post-cycle therapy.

PCT will aid in your recovery and get you ready for the next cycle as quickly as possible. You will feel far worse if you do not do it, so bite the bullet and get to it.