Steroid use in sports and bodybuilding has been around for decades but one steroid in particular, trenbolone (or “tren”), has recently gained popularity, especially by influencers on social media.
Trenbolone is an anabolic steroid meant for veterinary use to increase muscle and appetite in cattle. Despite this, it’s widely sought by people looking to build muscle fast, cut fat and enhance performance.
While it might help some reach their fitness goals, trenbolone can have serious risks. Not only is trenbolone illegal for human use but the potential side effects can have lasting impacts on your health.
Before getting caught up in the hype, here are five important things to know about trenbolone:
1. Quick muscle gains and increased workout stamina
Trenbolone is popular among bodybuilders and athletes because it helps build muscle fast. It boosts how well muscles hold onto nitrogen and process protein, which means quicker recovery and faster muscle growth after workouts. This results in a more defined, muscular look.
“Trenbolone also increases stamina by improving oxygen flow to muscles,” said Bryan Kuhn, PharmD, a pharmacist and clinical toxicologist with Banner Health. “This allows users to push through longer, more intense workouts.”
These effects are especially attractive for those focused on quickly building strength and endurance.
2. It’s not legal for human use and quality is uncertain
Unlike other steroids that are monitored and dosed by health care professionals, trenbolone is used primarily in veterinary medicine. In the U.S., trenbolone is a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it is illegal to use without a prescription.
In the cattle industry, trenbolone is often referred to as Finaplix.
“Trenbolone was created to increase nonfat weight in cattle,” Dr. Kuhn said. “It enhances the efficiency of meat production, allowing farmers to produce a larger yield of meat to bring to market in less time.”
Trenbolone stimulates the animal’s appetite and promotes lean muscle gain, which is why it has attracted the attention of bodybuilders and athletes seeking similar results.
Since trenbolone is illegal for human use, some people turn to underground sources.
“The quality of these unregulated products is often unknown, increasing the risk of contamination or incorrect dosing,” Dr. Kuhn said. “This lack of legal, medical approval means no professional oversight on usage, leaving users to experiment with potentially harmful or even life-threatening doses.”
3. A long list of side effects
While you might dream of rapid gains, you could face a range of physical and psychological side effects. Trenbolone can cause side effects common to other steroids like:
- Acne and oily skin: “Trenbolone can stimulate oil glands in the skin and lead to more acne, particularly on the back—commonly known as bacne,” Dr. Kuhn said.
- Hair loss: Increased androgen levels can lead to hair thinning or hair loss.
- Increased aggression and mood swings: Many users say they experienced intense mood swings. Tren can cause paranoia and leave some people irritated, sad and violent, often referred to as roid rage.
- Gynecomastia: Trenbolone can cause an imbalance in hormone levels, leading to excess breast tissue in males. This condition, known as gynecomastia, can affect people physically and psychologically.
- Problems sleeping: Users may experience insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
- Sex drive and function: Trenbolone affects hormone levels, which can impact libido, sperm production and overall fertility. Users may experience a lower sperm count and testicular atrophy (shrinkage), which can lower fertility and make it difficult to conceive naturally.
- Suppress testosterone: Trenbolone suppresses your body’s ability to produce testosterone and other androgens. It can take your body weeks to months to get back to making testosterone on its own.
These side effects may go away after use but some people may continue to have these effects even after discontinuing the drug.
4. Trenbolone carries serious heart, liver and kidney risks
Using trenbolone can seriously strain major organs over time, especially the heart, liver and kidneys. Trenbolone can raise blood pressure, increase bad LDL cholesterol levels and lower good HDL cholesterol. This combination makes it harder for the heart to work properly, increasing the chances of heart disease, heart attack and even stroke as the body works harder to keep up.
For the liver and kidneys, trenbolone is tough to process. “Long-term use can overwork these organs, causing a build-up of toxins that the body has problems clearing,” Dr. Kuhn said. “This extra stress can eventually lead to liver and kidney damage or failure.”
5. Healthier alternatives exist
If you want to build muscle and lose fat safely, working with a health care professional and a certified strength coach is a much better choice than using trenbolone.
A medical professional can monitor your health, checking important things like cholesterol, blood pressure and liver function to ensure your body stays strong and healthy as you train.
A certified strength and conditioning coach can set up a workout plan that matches your goals and body type. They can also make sure you’re using the right techniques to avoid injuries and get the most out of every workout.
A nutritionist or dietitian can also help create a food plan that gives your body the nutrients it needs to grow muscle and recover properly.
With the right support team, you can make real progress without risking the serious health problems that come with steroids like trenbolone.
Takeaway
While taking shortcuts like trenbolone to achieve a chiseled body might be tempting, the risks involved are not worth it. Prioritize your health and well-being over fitting into a social media mold. Focus on building strength and a positive body image through safe and sustainable methods. For help, talk to your health care provider or a Banner Health specialist.
