Do Androgen Receptors Downregulate After Continuous Steroid Use?

Summary

In this video, Derek from More Plates More Dates discusses androgen receptor downregulation and its relevance to anabolic steroid use, particularly in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). He explains that while androgen receptors don’t become desensitized, muscle growth can be inhibited by increased myostatin levels, a natural counteracting mechanism that prevents excessive muscle gain. Derek also highlights that myostatin inhibitors are not yet approved for human use, and cautions against experimenting with unapproved substances. The video emphasizes that TRT doesn’t require cycling off to maintain effectiveness, as the body’s response remains steady despite myostatin activity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Androgen receptors do not downregulate with the use of anabolic substances like testosterone, even with long-term use.
• 😀 Myostatin, not androgen receptor desensitization, is the key factor that limits muscle growth when using anabolic substances.
• 😀 The body increases myostatin production to prevent excessive muscle growth, which is considered unhealthy in the long term.
• 😀 Myostatin’s role is to regulate muscle mass and protect against excessive growth that could lead to health complications, such as cardiovascular stress.
• 😀 The plateau that many users experience on TRT or anabolic cycles is due to the body’s adaptation through increased myostatin, not a failure of androgen receptors.
• 😀 Users on TRT don’t need to cycle off and back on to ‘resensitize’ the androgen receptors; they remain responsive throughout use.
• 😀 The idea that cycling off testosterone is necessary to make it work better is a misconception; testosterone continues to exert its effects properly.
• 😀 Flex Wheeler’s gene mutation example shows that reducing myostatin can lead to greater muscle growth potential without harmful effects.
• 😀 While myostatin inhibitors could potentially unlock new frontiers in bodybuilding, there is currently no reliable human data on these compounds.
• 😀 Substances like YK11, which claim to be myostatin inhibitors, should be avoided due to the lack of proven safety or efficacy in human trials.
• 😀 The future of bodybuilding pharmacology may focus on myostatin inhibition, but it's still a long way from being a practical option for athletes or bodybuilders.

Q & A

What is Androgen receptor downregulation, and why is it relevant in the context of anabolic steroid use?

Androgen receptor downregulation refers to the process where the body becomes less responsive to androgens like testosterone after prolonged use. In anabolic steroid use, this would mean that the Androgen receptors stop working effectively, necessitating a 'reset.' However, in the video, Derek explains that Androgen receptors do not downregulate; instead, the body's response to muscle growth is influenced by other factors like myostatin levels.

Does testosterone use cause Androgen receptor desensitization?

No, testosterone use does not cause Androgen receptor desensitization. The Androgen receptors continue to function normally, binding to testosterone and exerting their anabolic and androgenic effects. The body’s limitation on muscle growth comes from increased myostatin production, not from receptor desensitization.

What is the role of myostatin in muscle growth during anabolic steroid use?

Myostatin is a protein that regulates muscle growth by inhibiting excessive hypertrophy. When the body detects high levels of androgens, such as those from testosterone or anabolic steroids, it increases myostatin production to prevent muscle growth beyond healthy levels.

Why do muscle gains tend to plateau during long-term anabolic steroid use?

Muscle gains plateau because, after prolonged use of anabolic steroids, the body increases myostatin levels to counteract the excessive muscle growth. Myostatin essentially limits further muscle gains, causing the progress to slow or stop despite ongoing steroid use.

What does Derek suggest about cycling off anabolic steroids for 'resetting' receptors?

Derek clarifies that cycling off anabolic steroids is unnecessary for 'resetting' Androgen receptors. The reason for plateaus in muscle growth is not receptor desensitization but rather the increase in myostatin, which limits further muscle growth. Therefore, cycling off does not provide any advantage in terms of receptor sensitivity.

How does myostatin inhibit muscle growth?

Myostatin inhibits muscle growth by acting as a negative regulator of muscle hypertrophy. When the body perceives excessive androgenic activity, such as from anabolic steroid use, it increases myostatin production to prevent the body from growing more muscle than is deemed healthy or sustainable.

What is the significance of Flex Wheeler's genetic mutation regarding myostatin?

Flex Wheeler has a rare genetic mutation that results in very low myostatin levels, allowing him to develop more muscle fibers than the average person. This genetic variation is part of the reason why his muscle development is exceptional compared to others.

How do steroid cycles and myostatin levels interact?

Steroid cycles can temporarily boost muscle mass, but as the cycle progresses, the body increases myostatin levels to regulate and prevent further hypertrophy. This increase in myostatin limits additional muscle growth, causing the gains to slow or plateau after a certain period.

Are there any approved treatments to inhibit myostatin in humans?

Currently, there are no approved myostatin inhibitors for human use. Some substances, like YK11, have been studied at the cellular level, but they lack sufficient research or clinical trials to be considered safe or effective for humans.

What is Derek's stance on using substances like YK11 to inhibit myostatin?

Derek strongly advises against using YK11 or similar compounds because they have no sufficient human trials or data. Without proper research or approval, using these substances could be unsafe and is not recommended.