"Synthol": what is it and how does it work? "Synthol" in bodybuilding

• January 27, 2019
• Sports nutrition
• Tatyana Andreeva

Many men dream of having a beautiful, pumped up body. But in order to achieve such a result, you need to spend a lot of time in the gym and constantly monitor your diet and lifestyle. In the modern world, there are many means that can provide results much faster. One of them is Synthol. What it is and what the dangers of using the drug are, we will consider in this article.

History of appearance

The substance has existed for about three decades. The official name of the product is Pump-N-Pose. It translates as “pump and pose.” This drug was developed by German bodybuilder and chemist Chris Clark. And he called it “Synthol” by analogy with the most powerful nuclear fusion reaction. Thus, the chemist with muscles wanted to emphasize the effectiveness of his brainchild. A little later it turned out that a patent had already been registered for this name, so it had to be changed.

Clark took the drug “Exiclen”, which was common among bodybuilders of that time, as the basis for the drug. The chemist has significantly increased its shelf life and also made its use less painful. The widespread use of Synthol in bodybuilding is explained by the fact that injections of this substance cause a local increase in muscle volume. The inventor intended that the drug should give the muscles an ideal shape. Whether this is really the case will be discussed below.

But as for the moral and ethical aspects of using the substance, it was perfectly formulated by the holder of the title Mr. Olimpia Dorian Yates. He believes that bodybuilding is a real sport, which means hard work to give volume and definition to the muscles. Drugs like Synthol only distort and inflate the muscles. As a result, bodybuilding may lose its “athletic appeal” due to their use.

Compound

Many athletes are interested not only in the question of what Synthol is, but also in the composition of the drug. As mentioned above, the substance is used in bodybuilding to increase muscle mass. The main part of it consists of various oils, and painkillers and preservatives are used as additional components:

• 85% – medium chain triglycerides or fatty (aliphatic monobasic carboxylic) acids (coconut or sesame oil);
• 7.5% – anesthetic “Lidocaine”;
• 7.5% – phenylcarbinol, benzyl alcohol (preservatives).

In most sports federations, the use of the drug "Synthol" is prohibited, as it is considered doping. In addition, very often its use leads to sad consequences. The original product also includes other components, but the exact composition is a trade secret.

Sources[edit | edit code]

1. Childs, Dan (16 May 2007). "Like Implants for the Arms: Synthol Lures Bodybuilders: Risky Injections Mean Massive Muscles for Users." ABC News. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
2. https://ecofrenluv.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/danger-of-synthol/
3. Foggo, Daniel (13 May 2007). "Bodybuilders puff up with 'Popeye' oil jab." Sunday Times. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
4. Pupka, A; Sikora J; Mauricz J; Cios D; Płonek T. (2009). "The usage of synthol in the body building". Polim Med. (in Polish) 39 (1): 63–5. PMID 19580174.
5. Koopman, M; C. Richter, R. J. M. Parren and M. Janssen (2005). "Bodybuilding, sesame oil and vasculitis." Rheumatology (Oxford Journals) 44 (9): 1135. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keh712. PMID 16113147.
6. Schaefer, N. “Muscle enhancement using intramuscular injections of oil in bodybuilding: review on epidemiology, complications, clinical evaluation and treatment.” European Surgery. Retrieved October 22, 2014.

Mechanism of operation

After studying the composition of the drug, it becomes clear what “Synthol” is. We will describe how it works below:

1. Once in the body, the substance begins to be actively absorbed by muscle fibers.
2. The process causes inflammation and tissue irritation. This, in turn, is accompanied by severe pain. To reduce them, the drug contains an anesthetic.
3. The result of application is an increase in the size of the connective tissue shell, due to which the muscles begin to visually grow. The process is very similar to filling a balloon with hot air. After injection, Synthol settles between the muscle fibers. Each time you use the product, the distance between them increases. As a result, the muscles appear much larger, but in reality they remain in their original state.

The effect appears after a very short period of time. That is why Synthol injections are extremely attractive for weak-willed people and beginners who do not want to spend a lot of time in the gym. It is worth noting that the decision to take a shortcut is hazardous to health.

Dosage

You should not find tables of other athletes and use them during the course of drug administration. In this case, dosage is a purely individual concept, so you do not need to be guided by anyone else’s experience.

In any case, you should start with a very small dose. For the first time, one milliliter will be enough. Injections can be done every other day. And if possible even less often. Pay attention to your condition. If you do not notice that Synthol (side effects can be prevented) has a negative effect on your muscles, begin to correct the result. "Synthol" is not a drug that you can work with without caution. Small doses will allow you to get neat, pumped up muscles. At the same time, no one will guess that you are using chemicals.

Consequences of Synthol

As mentioned above, the use of Synthol can adversely affect your health:

• Fat particles accumulate in the blood vessels, leading to blockage. The consequence of this may be impaired blood circulation in the brain and oxygen starvation.
• The main danger is the possibility of affecting and damaging the nerve, which leads to paralysis and loss of sensitivity.
• Development of infections and inflammations.
• Due to the increase in the number of fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue, “fat” appears, which can fill the space between the muscle fibers and reach the periosteum.
• All kinds of allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the components that make up the drug.
• Problems of an aesthetic nature.

Mustafa Mohammed

Experiments with the product provided the bodybuilder with large, 55-centimeter biceps, and at the same time serious health problems: a constant feeling of weakness, cramps and dizziness. Since 2006, Mustafa Muhammad no longer appears on the podium. In 2009, a photo appeared on the Internet in which Mustafa looked emaciated, thin, weighing just over 70 kg.

What else are the dangers of using

Also, the consequences of Synthol are inflammation and muscle atrophy, ischemia, and sclerosis of muscle tissue. There is a high probability of getting different sizes of left and right biceps. After all, even with a symmetrical dosage, there can be no guarantee of the same muscle response to the drug.

A ridiculous appearance is not the most serious danger. There are known cases of drug administration (it is worth noting that Synthol tablets do not exist), after which surgical operations and even amputation of hands were required. This confirms that the use of the drug should be approached rationally. In this case, it is necessary to have complete confidence in the knowledge of the anatomy and professionalism of the person who makes this injection.

The creator of Synthol is trying in every possible way to prove its complete harmlessness. But real application experience still suggests the opposite.

Muscle rupture

The most obvious and common consequence of an overdose of synthol is the rupture of muscle tissue, which simply cannot withstand injections of the drug that bloat the muscles. This happens when an athlete, who wants to get results as quickly as possible, abuses injections, and the skin does not have time to stretch along with the rapidly increasing muscles.

A rupture is an unpleasant sight, and moreover, it requires a long recovery. However, this does not stop many “synthol jocks”, and they continue to aggravate the condition of their muscles.

Instructors' opinions

Fans of Synthol talk about the quick “fullness” effect. Without the use of special substances, such a result is possible only through long and hard training. Professional instructors consider this opinion of adherents of the remedy to be erroneous. Indeed, during normal muscular work without the use of any stimulating substances, the effect is explained by the complex work of the muscles, as a result of which anaerobic glycolysis manifests itself, lactic acid is released and a burning sensation and pain appear.

The presence of Synthol between the muscle fibers leads to the fact that even when performing one exercise, compression of the nerves and blood vessels occurs, which explains the burning sensation. In fact, the muscles do not receive the necessary load and practically do not work.

Side effects: are they worth it?

Today on the Internet you can find many articles talking about the negative effects of the drug and photographs of its “victims”. But if the drug has been on the market since the 90s, why is there a “synthol boom” now? This question is difficult to answer. Perhaps this is due to the increased popularity of bodybuilding, the desire to conform to modern beauty standards and the laziness of young people.

Why sweat and strain yourself, deny yourself something, if you can quickly become a muscleman and attract the attention of others, although we all know that free cheese is only in a mousetrap. Due to the unwise use of these injections, of course, we have become more aware of its side effects.

Not a help, but a barrier

Even supporters of the drug agree that its administration does not make training easier, but only interferes with normal exercise. In addition to the fact that pain and discomfort are still present after the injection of the drug, such muscles seem “wooden”, so the usual exercises become simply an unrealistic task. As a result of this, the athlete with “fast muscles” gives up, which entails a reduction in training, as well as a decrease in its intensity. A person loses the result that he had even before starting the course. In addition, such a bodybuilder loses motivation: why exhaust yourself with training if the result will be the same?

Questionable beauty

By introducing synthol, young people hoped to get the same result as in the pictures. However, the cosmetic effect of this drug is actually different:

• incorrect administration of large doses of the drug leads to “inflating” of an individual muscle, which looks unnatural and not entirely aesthetically pleasing;
• when the drug begins to dissolve, the muscle sags;
• the shape of such a body differs from the natural one.

Some compare the introduction of synthol in men to lip or breast enlargement in women. With a reasonable approach, of course, this manipulation gives an attractive cosmetic result, makes a person more beautiful, and helps him overcome his complexes. An irrational approach to these issues, as well as excessively large volumes, look ridiculous, unnatural, and at the same time cause negativity, misunderstanding and condemnation among others.

Nerve damage

Such manipulation requires appropriate training and knowledge of the anatomy of the human muscular system. The fact is that when inserting a needle, you can damage the nerve bundles that pass through this anatomical area. In addition to the fact that mechanical irritation of the nerve itself is extremely painful, it can lead to a number of serious complications:

• paresis;
• paralysis;
• loss of sensitivity.

Restoring functions lost by a nerve is extremely hard work, which does not always give a positive result.

Fat embolism

As we remember, synthol is a fat emulsion with an anesthetic. Introducing it into the intermuscular space in small doses should not lead to negative consequences. When this substance is introduced into the bloodstream, an embolus (a drop of fat) can lead to fatal consequences for the athlete, causing the following pathologies:

• ischemic stroke;
• myocardial infarction;
• pulmonary infarction, etc.

An embolus can enter any internal organ, disrupting its nutrition and causing dysfunction.

Even a person with a medical education can make this fatal mistake when carrying out such a procedure. This is, first of all, due to the anatomical features of each of us. Even in the same person, the vessels on the left and right hands can pass differently, so this harmless manipulation can pose an immediate threat to life.

Inflammatory processes and infectious complications

Ignorance and non-compliance with injection rules can lead to a number of complications:

1. Abscess. The most common complication of any intramuscular injection. It is a limited inflammatory process, which is accompanied by destruction of tissues and nearby structures. Most often, a post-injection abscess is associated with the penetration of pathogenic flora deep into the tissues along with the needle, the aggressiveness of the drug that is injected, and the characteristics of the human body. It is especially dangerous due to the generalization of the process and the spread of infection throughout the body.
2. Phlegmon. A diffuse inflammatory process affecting connective tissue and subcutaneous tissue. Its occurrence is also associated with tissue infection through the needle during injection. The fascia and muscle may be involved in the inflammatory process, which will subsequently lead to their necrosis and death.
3. Myositis is an isolated inflammation of muscle tissue. Even with the correct organization of the procedure, synthol itself leads to inflammatory processes in the muscles. The body may not be able to cope with inflammation on its own due to decreased immunity or stress, which will lead to myositis. In addition to pronounced pain and intoxication, the athlete will most likely lose the functionality of the affected muscle tissue.
4. Sepsis. The lack of correct treatment of the infectious process as a result of incorrectly performed injections can lead to generalized inflammation - sepsis. This formidable complication entails the screening out of pathogenic flora into all organs, which often ends in death.

Treatment of such complications is a labor-intensive process. Even with timely initiation of therapy and successfully selected drugs, consequences may remain that cannot be corrected. So, with necrosis of a muscle, it is necessary to completely remove it, since it is no longer viable, but only remains a source of infection. Not only can a person no longer play sports and participate in competitions, but he will also remain disabled because he wanted to appear beautiful to someone.

Irreversible changes in muscle tissue

The introduction of synthol is a long process. Day after day, such athletes injure the muscle by injecting into it a substance foreign to the body. This influence entails:

• Sclerosing muscle lipogranulomatosis. This disease is a specific reaction to injections of oily solutions. At the site of drug administration, an infiltrate develops in the subcutaneous tissue. It contains fatty masses and small cysts. This formation is extremely painful. May be complicated by the formation of fistulas (communication of infiltrate with the environment).
• Cysts. Constant trauma to muscle tissue can lead to the formation of cysts - capsules filled with fluid. They compress the muscle itself, nerves and blood vessels. This leads to severe pain and dysfunction of the affected muscle.
• Ulcers. They arise as a result of malnutrition of the muscle and the skin above it. It is a skin defect that is accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory process and threatens tissue necrosis.

All these complications have only one treatment option - surgical removal of the affected tissue.

Muscle nutritional disorder

One of the most common complaints of athletes who are addicted to the drug is a feeling of numbness in the limb. It is simply explained. A muscle “swollen” by this substance compresses the blood vessels that feed it. This is also the feeling we experience when we sit for a long time with our legs crossed. If we can quickly remove the leg, so we don’t have to wait for negative consequences, then with these injections everything is completely different.

A muscle deprived of adequate blood supply suffers from oxygen starvation. This entails a number of complications:

• muscle sclerosis;
• atrophy;
• necrosis.

Like many other complications of synthol injections, these problems can only be eliminated in one way - surgical removal of the affected muscle.

Allergic reactions

A person's reaction to the administration of any medication is unpredictable. That is why in medical institutions, before starting a course of treatment, special allergy tests are carried out. They help prevent the development of adverse reactions.

Unfortunately, no one tests for sensitivity to synthol. But it contains lidocaine, an anesthetic that often causes anaphylactic shock. In addition, this “posing oil” contains a number of substances that scientists do not yet know about. No one can guarantee that you will not have an allergic reaction to any of its components.

An allergic reaction to this drug may include:

• irritation, redness at the injection site;
• rashes all over the body, accompanied by severe itching;
• blisters and ulcers both at the injection site and throughout the body;
• vasculitis (an allergic reaction manifested by inflammation of the vessel wall);
• Quincke's edema (limited swelling of the face, neck or limb);
• anaphylactic shock (a systemic allergic reaction that is accompanied by respiratory failure and is a direct threat to human life).

How to withdraw

The question of how to remove a substance from the body is considered the second most popular after the question of whether it is Synthol. Experts say that only 30% of the total volume of the administered drug is broken down by the muscles. The remaining 70% is not processed and slowly accumulates in the human body. The natural elimination period of Synthol is more than five years. During this time, it can lead to various unpleasant consequences. Even after stopping the drug, the kidneys and liver will suffer seriously.

Getting rid of this “Synthol” is very difficult, but still possible:

1. Create a low-calorie menu.
2. Exercise regularly. Thus, the hypertrophied muscles that have grown will disappear on their own.
3. Choose means to quickly remove triglycerides from the body. These include ion exchange and nicotinic acids. They help break down harmful fats.
4. Some claim that surgical removal of the remnants of Synthol along with overgrown muscle fibers helps. In fact, such an operation does not exist.

Where can I buy?

This is actually a huge problem. It's very easy to stumble upon a fake. Many “smart guys” buy oil in sports stores, pour it into jars, stick the appropriate inscription on it and sell it. Of course, you can make good money this way. But the consequences will only be negative.

Victims of Synthol very often come across fakes. To prevent this from happening, you should only buy the drug in specialized stores or order from licensed manufacturers.

Victims

An absurd appearance and asymmetrical muscles are characteristic features of ardent adherents of Synthol. At the moment, there are many people in the world whose use of this drug has made them the subject of public ridicule. Such fans of the funds began to be called victims of “Synthol”.

The most famous of them are:

1. Greg Valentino received the title of owner of the largest hands. Due to this, he underwent more than one surgical operation.
2. Klaus Doring - he was nicknamed “mutant” on the Internet because of his enormous muscle volume.
3. Romario. For a long period of time he tried to increase his muscles with the help of a substance. As a result, the bodybuilder experienced severe pain and tried to commit suicide, but was saved.
4. Aplindo De Suosa, a Brazilian athlete who surpassed all his rivals in muscle size. The volume of his muscles is 73 centimeters. But the bodybuilder looks more terrifying than impressive. Aplindo claims that he does not experience any negative aspects, with the exception of dizziness. But experts believe that everything has its time.
5. Kirill Tereshin is a Russian blogger and freak who has pumped up his arms to a terrifying size. Thanks to him, Russians learned about the drug Synthol and what it is. Kirill made the first injection of the substance before the army, as a test option in the triceps, in order to understand the entire system. Coming from the army, the guy took a lot of injections, which helped in a short period to increase muscle volume to 60 centimeters.

Photos of unsuccessful experimenters with Synthol do not look very attractive. What leads to excessive enthusiasm for injections of the drug can be seen in the article. It is worth noting that the product is used not only by men. There are also representatives of the fairer sex who want to build muscle mass with the help of this substance.

Conclusion

Are synthol muscles worth risking your health and life? Everyone decides for themselves, but from the point of view of common sense, the risk looks completely unjustified. Therefore, before you decide to change full-fledged sports and muscle training in the gym to dubious injections, you should once again carefully weigh all the pros and cons.

Biceps are beautiful if they look natural, rotting ulcers and amputated arms are not. Draw your conclusions, and now I say goodbye to you! In my articles you will find even more interesting facts, so I recommend that you subscribe to them and share useful information with your friends on social networks!