Clenbuterol is a steroid-like drug that is primarily used for relieving asthma symptoms. It also functions in increasing lean body mass and decreasing body fat. The dramatic weight loss effects of Clenbuterol are truly praiseworthy!
But does it work without damaging the normal functioning of your body?
Unfortunately, no.
This is why FDA and many other organizations have banned this chemical’s use in any form. Nevertheless, despite the official restrictions, people still gravitate towards this quick fix due to its wondrous results in weight loss and bodybuilding.
Read along to find out everything you need to know about clenbuterol.
What is clenbuterol?
Clenbuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist. (It’s hard to decipher, I know) Let me explain what this means.
Beta2-adrenergic agonists assist in the relaxation of bronchial muscles i.e., the muscles in the throat. This helps in breathing normally in case of an asthma attack or any other obstruction in breathing.
Not only this, but Clenbuterol also resembles anabolic steroids A LOT. So much so that it can trigger a sympathetic nervous response or fight or flight response just like steroids! And they do so without the androgenic side effects i.e., growth of excessive body hair, facial hair, and deepening of voice; all of which are a serious concern for female users.
Now you must be wondering… WTH is a fight or flight response?!
For that, first and foremost, you should understand how our body works. Humans have two types of responses.
- A normal functioning response
- Fight or flight response
The latter one is activated when we are performing a strenuous task, this helps in the burning of stored fat to replenish the body’s energy needs.
Clenbuterol perfectly mimics the hormones that are released during the fight or flight response. (Dope! right?)
How does Clenbuterol work?
Clenbuterol works by relieving the blocked mucus in the sinus. This has given it the reputation of an effective decongestant and a well-performing bronchodilator too.
A major effect of using Clenbuterol is that it activates the fight or flight response of the body. This increases
- your heart rate,
- elevates your Basal Metabolic Rate, and
- improves oxygen supply to all parts of the body.
Note: A heightened BMR renders your body to break down and use stored fat much quicker than usual. This is why Clenbuterol is the best for targeting those stubborn fat curves that you hate!
Athletes have also been using (or abusing) this product as a performance-enhancing drug for quite some time. The way Clenbuterol drastically enhances their endurance and energizes their muscles makes it easier for the athletes to practice every day. It makes them able to work out for long periods without becoming absolutely knackered! Although seemingly good for the professional players, the severe side effects of Clenbuterol have made the regulatory authorities restrict its use.
Point to remember: Clenbuterol’s use as a weight loss enhancer is fairly recent. The way it works on your body will make you see marked results sooner than the contrary. But be aware! Just like all the other drugs, your body can become accustomed to them. There is a possibility that it may stop working on you altogether if you take it continuously without any break!
Was Clenbuterol designed for human weight loss?
Surprisingly, no.
The actual purpose of Clenbuterol mass production was to alleviate asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD symptoms in horses! (Yup! It’s true.)
Airway obstruction in horses was a big concern as it would severely limit the performance of the animal.
Since Clenbuterol serves as a decongestant and bronchodilator, it was allowed for humans to use in minute quantities who suffer from chronic lung disease (I am talking about the ones who are constantly fatigued and breathless due to obstructive inhalation, Clenbuterol truly works wonders for them).
But when the weight loss effects of Clenbuterol came to light, it caught the world by its storm!
It soon became evident that the best advantage of using Clenbuterol for weight loss is that it promotes the burning of stored fat while aiding in the production of lean muscles. This repartitioning effect was so unique and alluring that people started giving Clen to their livestock so that they can get more meat to consume from each cow in a significantly less amount of time.
Not only this, humans started using this horse drug on themselves to lose weight fast. Be it Hollywood or the professional athletes, everyone was drawn towards the neverending praises of this miracle drug.
(The lengths to which people can go to lose weight is just mind-boggling!)
Being produced for animals originally, Clenbuterol used for bodybuilding purposes surely had its ups and downs (We will discuss it below in detail).
Usage of Clenbuterol in humans for weight loss
You must have heard celebrities going crazy for this weight loss drug! Famous athletes and celebs all over the world endorse Clenbuterol as their diet secret for their weight loss and dramatic body sculpting.
Well, despite the hype of Clen use for weight loss or as a performance enhancer, the research backing it up is quite minimal.
(It’s almost non-existent for humans, peeps…
Yup.
You are only hearing telltales from everyone backing up Clenbuterol for weight loss. So much for a hot bod, right?)
The research for Clenbuterol’s efficiency as a weight-loss or performance enhancer is mainly done on animals. (Ironically)
Some of the research or studies conducted on Clenbuterol are:
- In 2006, a study was done on the effect of Clenbuterol on livestock. It showed increased anabolic activity i.e. more lean muscle mass and decreased fat. Since muscle production occurred at the expense of fat, it is generally called the repartitioning effect.
- In 2012, research conducted in Italy on rodents proved that Clenbuterol consumption significantly decreased the genes responsible for the breakdown of skeletal muscles. (Dope! ain’t it? Muscle retention is always a win-win situation for weight loss)
- Another research conducted on mares and horses showed that if they were injected with therapeutic levels of Clenbuterol for long periods, their gene expression changed (This change in each cell is truly mind-blowing!). Clenbuterol use increased the production of muscle components and enzymes for fat metabolism simultaneously!
Note: Do you know why muscle is important for weight loss? This is because muscles are loaded with mitochondria, the fat-burning powerhouse. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more you will burn fat (the best part is this process doesn’t stop even when you sleep!)
And voila!
That’s how you kill two birds with a stone.
But the question that arises here is: Does Clenbuterol work the same for humans too?
The answer is no.
There is more of a chance of overdose while using Clenbuterol for weight loss.
A case report submitted in 2013 by two poison control centers based in America suggests that Clenbuterol misuse was done by 11 out of 13 people who wanted to lose weight as a part of building muscles. (That’s an astounding 80% of the users, people!)
Not only this, but the myocardial injury was also reported in 2 of the patients (i.e., their hearts were permanently damaged by the overdose of Clenbuterol! Think long and hard before using it my friend, as heart damage is a major risk to consider before you commit to Clen once and for all).
What amount of weight loss can you ideally expect from Clenbuterol?
This majorly depends on your starting weight and body type.
Do you consider yourself on the chubby side?
Or do you think losing a few pounds will enhance the athletic look of your body?
Well, in that case, mate, Clenbuterol will work for you. (Ngl) You can expect to drop at least 3 to 4 pounds by using Clen alone.
However, keep one thing in mind that Clen is NOT suitable for you if you are obese/overweight. (Don’t lose hope fam, there are plenty of options out there for everybody! Starting from the basics i.e. healthy eating and exercise should always be your first approach). The primary reason for this is that this drug targets stubborn fat while replenishing the muscles. Being extremely overweight, a drug (and lifestyle) that targets fat cells would be most appropriate for you to lose weight.
Recommended Clenbuterol dosage to lose weight
The recommended dosage of Clenbuterol to lose weight is 0.06 to 0.12 milligrams a day. (Know that this is more than double the concentration of Clenbuterol given to asthma patients to alleviate their symptoms i.e., 0.02 to 0.03 milligrams a day!)
However, starting it from a high dose will do more harm than good. As a beginner, you should always take a minimal dose first. The first Clenbuterol dose should be maximum
- 0.04 milligrams for males
- 0.02 milligrams for females
Nevertheless, you cannot settle on this dose forever to lose weight. The funny thing with such medications is that as soon as your body starts accommodating to a certain dose, the effects of the drug start diminishing. The only way is to work your way up on the dosage to see the weight loss results you want for yourself.
But, be aware! There is a limit to which you can consume Clenbuterol. The maximum daily dosage of Clenbuterol is
- 0.14 milligrams for men
- 0.12 milligrams for women
Moreover, there is a yearly limit too…
You cannot take this weight loss drug for more than 16 weeks every year. Pumping yourself up with Clenbuterol more than the limit mentioned will make you susceptible to cardiac arrest and death!
Is it safe to use Clenbuterol for weight loss?
Well mate, tbh this majorly depends on you.
Clenbuterol is safe to use if you use it in limited amounts after consulting your doctor.
The moment you decide to go overboard with it or misuse it is the second it becomes lethal.
It is of utmost importance that you consult your doctor first so that he may assess you for any underlying health conditions you may have and check your family history for heart disease, hypertension, etc. Once you get cleared by a health professional, always stick to the amount prescribed to you for the safe use of Clenbuterol for weight loss. (Trust me, bro, overdosing on it does not guarantee quick weight loss. It most probably will lead to other complications.)
Clenbuterol side effects
You are most likely to experience these side effects intensely if you overdose on Clenbuterol. The side effects are:
- Profuse sweating (you will feel like there is a heater burning inside of you)
- Tachycardia/increased heart rate (This is the most common side effect of Clen. You will experience it even if you are using limited amounts. The increased pulse rate is similar to what you feel after an exercise session. You may feel agitated and uneasy because of it.)
- Anxiety (the excess adrenaline in your body is responsible for it)
- Heart palpitations (you will feel your heart fluttering and pounding irregularly)
- Hyperglycemia/increased blood sugar (Consult a doctor immediately if you detect a spike in your blood sugar after taking Clen).
- Hypokalemia/decreased blood potassium (Clenbuterol causes the shortage of free potassium in the blood. This has a pronounced effect on the nerve impulse. You will likely experience jitters and cramps from it)
- Abnormal blood pressure (the irregular heart rate is mainly responsible for it)
- Aggression or nervousness (the adrenaline rush causes intense emotional confusion)
- Tremors (it is common for people to experience unexplained shaking of hands. The sudden tremors can be quite uncomfortable for you)
- Severe headache (Of all the symptoms, this serves as a cherry on the top! Headaches of such intensity will make you unable to perform any task easily)
- Consistently dry mouth (A typical side effect of Clenbuterol is dry mouth. Focus on ample hydration to tackle this issue)
- Severe insomnia (You will feel yourself becoming a zombie due to sleeplessness – no kidding. Your overstimulated brain will make it impossible for you to calm down and relax for a sound sleep)
- Gastrointestinal disorder (You can experience nausea and vomiting due to Clenbuterol. Do not ignore these signs and rush to the hospital as soon as the uneasiness starts)
- Muscle cramp (low potassium levels cause your muscle to cramp. Drink plenty of water and eat potassium-rich foods to combat this issue. Muscle cramps are very painful, make sure you visit your doctor if the cramps are beyond your tolerance!)
- Addiction (Oh boy is it addictive! Clenbuterol contains the chemical dopamine, which is linked to our sense of pleasure. Taking Clenbuterol regularly for weight loss will make it extremely hard for you to give up on it completely at a later stage).
You will most likely experience these symptoms to some extent when you start using Clenbuterol for weight loss for the first time. It takes time for your body to adapt to such drugs. Once you become accustomed to it, your symptoms will fairly subsidize if you use only the recommended dosage.
Most of these symptoms occur when you overdose on Clenbuterol. And since it is clinically detectable for almost 6 days, the symptoms persist as well.
You should, therefore, consume beta antagonists very carefully. Let me tell you this again, losing weight by Clenbuterol at the expense of your health is a no-brainer. If you are not an adequate candidate for Clen use, then using it is not worth the risk.
The myriad of side effects can also lead to some serious health complications mentioned below.
Serious health implications caused by Clenbuterol
Clenbuterol also causes some adverse effects and grave health conditions such as
Cardiac Hypertrophy
Continuous use of Clenbuterol is very harmful to your heart. It causes heart enlargement which further causes it to beat more irregularly (commonly known as arrhythmia).
As per studies, Clenbuterol increases collagen production in your body. When you use high doses of Clen for long periods, it causes the heart muscles to enlarge. As a result, your heart will become big in size until it becomes increasingly difficult for it to pump blood to your whole body. This results in an unavoidable cardiac arrest, which is always fatal.
Moreover, long-term excessive Clenbuterol use is also linked to aortic nerve irregularities (The aortic nerve is the largest nerve arising from the heart that supplies blood to your lower body). Unregulated Clen use can cause your aorta to enlarge which often results in an aortic burst or sudden death.
Overdosing complications
Overdosing on Clenbuterol is harmful in itself too. You can put yourself in imminent danger if you do not stick to the minimum dose prescribed to you. Symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, vertigo, breathing difficulty, and stroke are some of the side effects of overdosing. Since Clenbuterol does not clear from your system for days at a time, the risk of you dying from overdose is also quite high.
Bones fragility
The fragility of bones is a common side effect of the long-term use of Clenbuterol for weight loss. Studies suggest that people who regularly use Clenbuterol have decreased bone density, thus they are more prone to fractures, etc. It makes your bones hollow and prone to breakage.
Unanticipated weight gain
Now, this is something that will surely catch you off guard! As I have mentioned before, if you keep using Clenbuterol for weight loss without any break, it will stop having any effect on your body. Another adverse effect would be water retention, which will subsequently make you gain weight. You should, therefore, adhere to the cycles recommended for everyone. (P.S. Clenbuterol cycles is a whole nother topic. I am going to discuss it in the next article for sure!)
Is Clenbuterol legal to use?
I think you already have an idea of what Clenbuterol’s status would be…
Clenbuterol is banned in most countries all over the world. The unending list of side effects in humans has given it the lethal status.
This is why Clenbuterol is still high on the list of the most dangerous and strictly prohibited for purchase and use of chemicals in most of the countries!
The WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) and IOC (International Olympic Committee) have banned Clenbuterol use in athletes for more than 20 years now. They use rigorous testing methods to ensure that no person entering the competition has abused this drug.
Not only this, but Clenbuterol’s use in livestock is also banned by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service). The reason behind this is quite justifiable too.
This is because when livestock are given Clenbuterol, they often break it into non-toxic components. However, animals such as cows and others, sometimes break Clen into ARS, a more toxic component. This can have severe adverse effects on our health if we consume such food.
And instances of such poisoning situations have been reported all over the world!
Almost 140 people were hospitalized in Spain in 1994 after eating meat with Clenbuterol’s traces.
While in China, almost 336 people in 2006 and 70 people in 2009 were hospitalized after eating pork that was contaminated with Clenbuterol. Despite preventive measures in China, almost 1750 cases have been reported of Clenbuterol poisoning through food since 1998.
This is why countries such as the USA, UK, and the likes have completely banned Clenbuterol (whether it’s for weight loss or respiratory conditions, you cannot access it at all). It is only available in certain European and Latin American regions, the sale of which is limited to the prescribed dose for asthma patients only.
The real reason behind the hype of Clenbuterol use for weight loss!
There are quite a few reasons for people’s craze for this weight loss drug. But the most important of all is its repartitioning effect.
It decreases the fat content of the body and replaces it with muscles, and that too without you having to lift even a finger!
This is why people are even willing to import it illegally in countries such as the US. (I mean, all thanks to the Internet, what’s impossible nowadays?)
Some other reasons for the popularity of Clenbuterol are:
- The reputation of a natural steroid
Since Clenbuterol is a non-steroidal steroid, people assume it to be a natural approach to losing weight and building muscles in comparison with others. (Regardless, it’s just a cold comfort, guys. It just shows the lengths to which people can go to reassure themselves that they are not doing anything wrong. Huh!) - Dramatic weight loss
Clenbuterol does cause prominent weight loss when results are compared to a control group. This was done in a study, which spanned 10 weeks. The final results showed that the control group lost 19.18 pounds while the group receiving Clenbuterol lost 25.13 pounds. - No androgenic side effects
This is a major catch for women trying to lose weight and female athletes too. Steroids are mostly used for building muscles but they cause androgenic hormones to increase. This leads to an increase in male characteristics i.e. facial hair growth and deepening of the voice. Since Clenbuterol does not cause any of these side effects, it has become quite a popular drug, especially among females. - Decreased appetite
Yes, there is a chance that you will not feel hungry as usual when taking Clenbuterol. However, this does not happen for everyone, unfortunately. Some people do not lose their appetite at all when taking Clenbuterol for weight loss. (Keep your fingers crossed to be on the other side of this group!) - Toned body
The upside of using Clenbuterol for weight loss is that you will look snatched by the end of your journey! This is because the repartitioning effect will enhance your muscles tremendously. And since 1 pound of muscle is much leaner than 1 pound of fat, you will be blessed with the toned body of your dreams!
People who use Clenbuterol in limited quantities, along with a high-protein low-fat diet and exercise, see appreciable results just within a week.
The takeaway
Using Clenbuterol for weight loss is entirely your decision. But consulting your doctor beforehand and remaining within the prescribed limits is the only right way for you.