Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone
Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (known under the name Oral Turinabol) is an oral (tablet) synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid. It was developed in the 1960s in former East Germany (GDR) by combining the structures of two other substances – methandienone (Dianabol) and clostebol. Although it was briefly used in human medicine in the past, its official manufacturing was completely discontinued in 1994. Today, it is an illegal substance that is strictly banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), yet it is abused in bodybuilding to build muscle mass and strength. The substance is globally known due to a massive doping scandal in the GDR, known as State Plan 14.25. Between 1968 and 1989, German doctors and coaches secretly administered Turinabol to approximately 10,000 elite athletes.
Effects of Turinabol on Muscle Growth, Why is it Abused in Bodybuilding?
Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) is utilized in bodybuilding for muscle growth because it stimulates protein synthesis and nitrogen retention in cells. Unlike other oral substances (such as Dianabol or Oxymetholone), however, Turinabol builds muscle mass more slowly but in a visually “cleaner” way – without extreme water retention. Increased protein synthesis accelerates the repair and growth of muscle cells. The substance does not undergo the process of aromatization (it does not convert into estrogen), which prevents it from causing gynecomastia (growth of breast tissue in men). It significantly increases strength performance, muscle endurance, and accelerates recovery after intense training. Since it is an oral (oral steroid) tablet, the effect onset is relatively fast compared to long injectable esters. Muscles appear firmer, harder, and denser, which users frequently abuse in pre-contest phases or in strength-focused cycles.
Unlike other steroids that originally originated for veterinary purposes, Turinabol was developed specifically for humans. Its primary purpose in medicine was to help patients overcome severe loss of bone and muscle mass (such as in osteoporosis, severe burns, or muscular dystrophy).