Can HCG Really Be Used as a PCT?

Bodybuilding to an outsider can seem like child’s play. However, those within the realm of bodybuilding for competition’s sake know that there is more to it. For one, several dozen bodybuilders use substances known as performance enhancers to aid in their muscle building gains. However, many don’t really look into the cost of their use. In many situations things like anabolic steroids have downright nasty side effects. Although, those that look into it and do their research know that with the help of a PCT such as HCG they can more safely take the steroids. All while combatting its side effects.

What is a PCT?

When considering everything from prohormones to steroids, it is important to know what a PCT or post cycle therapy is and how to employ it. Why? Because you want to ensure that you allow your time to return to its normal balance. However, you don’t want to lose the gains you’ve achieved with your cycle. But what is a post cycle therapy?

Basically, post cycle therapy regimens help your body to return to its regular state. Meaning that your levels of testosterone and other hormones go back to what they were before your cycle. When you use substances like anabolic androgenic steroids or even some SARMs, they can affect your body. In most cases they boost your testosterone levels which then allow you to gain muscle faster. However, by using these substances you tend to put things minorly out of whack. Then when you finish your cycle you risk losing all of what you gained by waiting for your body to recover. That is why a post cycle therapy or PCT is used. It aids your body in returning to normal without you losing the gains all together.

In most cases, these PCTs take shape as either Nolvadex, Clomid or Rebirth. HCG is an aromatase inhibitor, so it is primarily used with one of these other options to aid in the natural production of testosterone.

What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG is a hormone most commonly produced by the cells that surround an embryo that is growing. Eventually this hormone then helps to form the placenta after implantation occurs. It is a glycoprotein. This means that it consists of oligosaccharide chains that are covalently connected to amino acid side-chains. It consists of 237 amino acids in total. The compound interacts with the LHCG receptor. This is the luteinizing hormone choriogonadotropin receptor.

Using HCG as a PCT

In more recent years, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) has become mainstream in the bodybuilding and dieting worlds for several reasons. The first being that when combined with a low calorie diet, the individual can still function as if they were eating a regular 2000 calorie plus diet.

In terms of using it for bodybuilding. HCG has become popular as a post cycle therapy. Why? Because of its mechanism on how it works.

When it comes to most anabolic androgenic steroids, they tend to cause the body to slow down or stop natural production of testosterone. With the body not producing its own testosterone, the pituitary gland stops releasing the luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone is important for the fact that it triggers the release of testosterone naturally. Therefore, without it the testes stop producing the testosterone normally. That is why HCG is so important.

HCG helps as a restorative and maintenance agent of testosterone production do to the fact that it mimics the luteinizing hormone. This is what makes it appealing to bodybuilders that use anabolic androgenic steroids. It allows for the use of these steroids and then the reduction of negative effects because they are counteracted. All the while the bodybuilder gets to maintain their gains from using the steroids.

All of this is good and fine. However, keep in mind that HCG is not meant to use at high dosages for long periods of time and it tends to follow the same time frame as most PCTs when used for this purpose.

Post Cycle Therapy Dosage

Like many other post cycle therapy regimens, HCG is typically taken for two weeks after the cycle is completed. It can go as long as eight weeks, but it shouldn’t exceed that amount of time. In many cases, bodybuilders use it in conjunction with the steroid they’re cycling. In this case they usually take it as 500iu a day. Another option is to take it at 2000iu every other day. Either way it would essentially work in the same manner and aid in the maintenance of your gains from your cycle.

Regulating your hormones either during or after your cycle is a pivotal point of maintaining your gains. So, whether you decide to take your HCG compound in conjunction with your steroids or for the two weeks after. It can help give your body what it needs in order keep you going.

HCG as a PCT with Paradigm Peptides

No matter if you’re just starting your cycle or if you’re ending it, Paradigm Peptides is the place to go for PCTs. We have several variations of post cycle regimens that you can choose from.