My HcG trials

[JetSpyder]

Sorry this is so long but wondering if anyone else has had similar side effects and what you've done?

I've been on TRT for 7 years but have tapered down over the past 2. I went to clinics for several years where I was started at 200 mg and I received HcG as well (no idea how much.) Just like many other members it was successful the first few years. Lots of libido and strong erections but side effects came along with it. Terrible sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, and then I started breaking out on my face like a teenager. I dealt with all of this for about 5 years then decided I needed to cut back (this is when I found this forum.) I dropped HcG for a while, reduced my test to 100 mg/week (50 Monday and 50 Thursday night.) However now I've struggled with libido for the past 2 years. I always thought it was the test that was causing most of the side effects but now I think it's HcG (good and bad.)

Without the HcG I had good and bad weeks. I have read over several forums and decided to start HcG (500 iu 2x/week) back up and give it a try for a few months. The first 3 weeks it made me feel like shit. I was about to stop but kept pushing thru. 2 weeks ago I had amazing energy and holy shit my libido came back. No more need for Cialis and strong lasting elections. I thought it's a miracle. All of a sudden this past week I have broken out all over my face like you couldn't imagine. 15 massive pimples all over my face and all over my scalp. I've seen dermatologist for years about these but they were mostly gone. I am a professional that has to shave and it's embarrassing and painful AF. Also it has given me anxiety and sleeplessness. However I still have my libido and good erections.

Questions.
Should I cut back on to HcG? I love the libido and erections but can't take the bad effects.

Has anyone cycled HcG? Maybe a few weeks on then take a few off?

Anyway to counter act the acne? Other than meds from a derm.

Thanks

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

Sorry this is so long but wondering if anyone else has had similar side effects and what you've done?

I've been on TRT for 7 years but have tapered down over the past 2. I went to clinics for several years where I was started at 200 mg and I received HcG as well (no idea how much.) Just like many other members it was successful the first few years. Lots of libido and strong erections but side effects came along with it. Terrible sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, and then I started breaking out on my face like a teenager. I dealt with all of this for about 5 years then decided I needed to cut back (this is when I found this forum.) I dropped HcG for a while, reduced my test to 100 mg/week (50 Monday and 50 Thursday night.) However now I've struggled with libido for the past 2 years. I always thought it was the test that was causing most of the side effects but now I think it's HcG (good and bad.)

Without the HcG I had good and bad weeks. I have read over several forums and decided to start HcG (500 iu 2x/week) back up and give it a try for a few months. The first 3 weeks it made me feel like shit. I was about to stop but kept pushing thru. 2 weeks ago I had amazing energy and holy shit my libido came back. No more need for Cialis and strong lasting elections. I thought it's a miracle. All of a sudden this past week I have broken out all over my face like you couldn't imagine. 15 massive pimples all over my face and all over my scalp. I've seen dermatologist for years about these but they were mostly gone. I am a professional that has to shave and it's embarrassing and painful AF. Also it has given me anxiety and sleeplessness. However I still have my libido and good erections.

Questions.
Should I cut back on to HcG? I love the libido and erections but can't take the bad effects.

Has anyone cycled HcG? Maybe a few weeks on then take a few off?

Anyway to counter act the acne? Other than meds from a derm.

Thanks

@Cataceous please help on this. I too have the same acne from HCG. I get sweatier, oilier and more back and shoulder pimples. Could we just do some preg. cream and skip the hcg or cut back to 150ius per week. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated and welcome!

 

[Cataceous]

@Cataceous please help on this. I too have the same acne from HCG. I get sweatier, oilier and more back and shoulder pimples. Could we just do some preg. cream and skip the hcg or cut back to 150ius per week. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated and welcome!

I wish I could give you a better answer to this. My TRT was definitely improved by adding hCG, but over time I felt it was keeping things out of balance, and I could never get it right. I ended up dropping hCG and switching to gonadorelin, a substitute that's impractical for most. Among more doable alternatives there's experimenting with lower TRT and/or hCG doses. Some guys are able to keep the benefits of hCG at only 250 IU twice a week. Most guys need less testosterone to feel good than they think, but you've got to be patient when reducing. I've used cypionate-equivalent doses ranging from 100 mg per week down to 38 mg per week. I notice a reduction in athleticism at the lower doses, but everything else is the same or better. You may be able to reduce total testosterone use by 20% with minimal loss of benefits by switching to daily injections of a blend of cypionate and propionate.

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

I wish I could give you a better answer to this. My TRT was definitely improved by adding hCG, but over time I felt it was keeping things out of balance, and I could never get it right. I ended up dropping hCG and switching to gonadorelin, a substitute that's impractical for most. Among more doable alternatives there's experimenting with lower TRT and/or hCG doses. Some guys are able to keep the benefits of hCG at only 250 IU twice a week. Most guys need less testosterone to feel good than they think, but you've got to be patient when reducing. I've used cypionate-equivalent doses ranging from 100 mg per week down to 38 mg per week. I notice a reduction in athleticism at the lower doses, but everything else is the same or better. You may be able to reduce total testosterone use by 20% with minimal loss of benefits by switching to daily injections of a blend of cypionate and propionate.

Thank you Cataceous. Yes I suffer the same with higher hcg numbers. Results are just too inconsistent for me. I will continue to lower and experiement. I am able to count on tadalafil or viagra when erections suffer due to the highs and lows so to speak. Ill also ask Dr. Lipshultz about gonadorelin as I do not know much about it.

 

[JA Battle]

I am on 250iu daily, maybe frequent smaller injections of hcg would work better.

 

[JetSpyder]

@Cataceous thank you for the response. I tried cutting my test back. I did EOD @25 mg. It didn't work out for me very well. 2x weekly seems to work best so far. It's just trying to dial in the HcG. I'm going to cut back the HcG to 500 IU per week. Should I do 250 mg 2x a week or 1 shot at 500 IU?

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

@Cataceous thank you for the response. I tried cutting my test back. I did EOD @25 mg. It didn't work out for me very well. 2x weekly seems to work best so far. It's just trying to dial in the HcG. I'm going to cut back the HcG to 500 IU per week. Should I do 250 mg 2x a week or 1 shot at 500 IU?

What did you get with eod 25mgs. and was it mwf injections or just eod whatever day it fell on?

 

[JetSpyder]

What did you get with eod 25mgs. and was it mwf injections or just eod whatever day it fell on?

I tried EOD for a while. I was doing 25mg EOD. Then I switched to MWF and went to to 30 mg/day. I just never got my energy back and my libido was gone. I tried it for about 3 months. My T levels never got above 550 total. I didn't like taking 3 shots a week so I switched to Mon morning/Thursday evening and have been on this for about 6 months. 2 days or 3 I don't feel much of a difference honestly at those levels. Most of the bad side effects went away. But I'm realizing now that this entire last year I wasn't taking HcG with it. All of these side effects have come roaring back the past month or so since i started HcG again (5 weeks ago)

 

[JetSpyder]

I am on 250iu daily, maybe frequent smaller injections of hcg would work better.

Thanks. I'm going to try this out but It's really difficult for me because of my job. I travel all over the world. Keeping HcG cold proves to be difficult. 250iu every day? That seems like a lot. How do you feel on those levels?

 

[Cataceous]

@Cataceous thank you for the response. I tried cutting my test back. I did EOD @25 mg. It didn't work out for me very well. 2x weekly seems to work best so far. It's just trying to dial in the HcG. I'm going to cut back the HcG to 500 IU per week. Should I do 250 mg 2x a week or 1 shot at 500 IU?

I'd say to divide it into two doses a week.

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

I'd say to divide it into two doses a week.

Thanks. I'm going to try this out but It's really difficult for me because of my job. I travel all over the world. Keeping HcG cold proves to be difficult. 250iu every day? That seems like a lot. How do you feel on those levels?

Have you tried ped inhibitors for erections?

 

[JetSpyder]

Have you tried ped inhibitors for erections?

Yes. I used to take Cialis a few times per week. It helped with erections but nothing with libido. I have no problem using it and will continue but I'm only 40 and don't really want to have to rely on it for the rest of my life. I'm willing to try different things to get some of my libido back. I did start taking citrulline about 2 weeks ago also for NO boost. I don't know if this has helped

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

Yes. I used to take Cialis a few times per week. It helped with erections but nothing with libido. I have no problem using it and will continue but I'm only 40 and don't really want to have to rely on it for the rest of my life. I'm willing to try different things to get some of my libido back. I did start taking citrulline about 2 weeks ago also for NO boost. I don't know if this has helped

maybe it is dopamine related. how are other areas of enjoyment in your life?

 

[JetSpyder]

maybe it is dopamine related. how are other areas of enjoyment in your life?

It could def be dopamine related. Other areas of enjoyment have faded. I’m not sad but I also don’t have the excitement for things like I used to. I have an amazing family and a great career so that helps. The HcG causes me to get irratated much quicker with things. Unfortunately due to my career its difficult for me to take many/any prescriptions.

 

[madman]

Sorry this is so long but wondering if anyone else has had similar side effects and what you've done?

I've been on TRT for 7 years but have tapered down over the past 2. I went to clinics for several years where I was started at 200 mg and I received HcG as well (no idea how much.) Just like many other members it was successful the first few years. Lots of libido and strong erections but side effects came along with it. Terrible sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, and then I started breaking out on my face like a teenager. I dealt with all of this for about 5 years then decided I needed to cut back (this is when I found this forum.) I dropped HcG for a while, reduced my test to 100 mg/week (50 Monday and 50 Thursday night.) However now I've struggled with libido for the past 2 years. I always thought it was the test that was causing most of the side effects but now I think it's HcG (good and bad.)

Without the HcG I had good and bad weeks. I have read over several forums and decided to start HcG (500 iu 2x/week) back up and give it a try for a few months. The first 3 weeks it made me feel like shit. I was about to stop but kept pushing thru. 2 weeks ago I had amazing energy and holy shit my libido came back. No more need for Cialis and strong lasting elections. I thought it's a miracle. All of a sudden this past week I have broken out all over my face like you couldn't imagine. 15 massive pimples all over my face and all over my scalp. I've seen dermatologist for years about these but they were mostly gone. I am a professional that has to shave and it's embarrassing and painful AF. Also it has given me anxiety and sleeplessness. However I still have my libido and good erections.

Questions.
Should I cut back on to HcG? I love the libido and erections but can't take the bad effects.

Has anyone cycled HcG? Maybe a few weeks on then take a few off?

Anyway to counter act the acne? Other than meds from a derm.

Thanks

I went to clinics for several years where I was started at 200 mg and I received HcG as well (no idea how much.) Just like many other members it was successful the first few years. Lots of libido and strong erections but side effects came along with it. Terrible sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, and then I started breaking out on my face like a teenager.

I would bet that a good part of those sides was due to the T dose which would result in very high FT levels let alone peak--->trough once-weekly injections.

Most would never need such a dose to achieve a healthy, high let alone in some cases absurdly high FT.

Ridiculous to start anyone off on such a dose and it is hard to believe you stayed on the same piss poor protocol that long while dealing with such sides.

Although the use of hCG can contribute to sides depending on the dose used/the individual your trough FT level will have a significant impact on such!

Looking over your previous threads your SHBG was only 20 nmol/L.


I dealt with all of this for about 5 years then decided I needed to cut back (this is when I found this forum.) I dropped HcG for a while, reduced my test to 100 mg/week (50 Monday and 50 Thursday night.) However now I've struggled with libido for the past 2 years. I always thought it was the test that was causing most of the side effects but now I think it's HcG (good and bad.)

Even though you dropped the hCG the drop in T dose was significant 200 mg T once weekly--->100 mg T split (50mg every 3.5 days).

Going to be a big difference in your FT levels let alone peak--->trough.

Where do your trough TT, FT, and estradiol levels sit on your current protocol?

Did you even know where your FT level truly sits?

Was it tested using an accurate assay (ED or UF)?

Where does your SHBG sit as of now?


Without the HcG I had good and bad weeks. I have read over several forums and decided to start HcG (500 iu 2x/week) back up and give it a try for a few months. The first 3 weeks it made me feel like shit. I was about to stop but kept pushing thru. 2 weeks ago I had amazing energy and holy shit my libido came back. No more need for Cialis and strong lasting elections. I thought it's a miracle. All of a sudden this past week I have broken out all over my face like you couldn't imagine. 15 massive pimples all over my face and all over my scalp. I've seen dermatologist for years about these but they were mostly gone. I am a professional that has to shave and it's embarrassing and painful AF. Also it has given me anxiety and sleeplessness. However I still have my libido and good erections.

Clear as day that you are genetically prone to acne.

Again have no clue where your trough FT level truly sat on your current protocol 100 mg T/week split (50 mg every 3.5 days) before you added the hCG (500IU 2x/week).

The addition of hCG will drive up your T levels further and can easily contribute to oily skin/acne.

The increased sensitivity of the receptor to androgen at the pilosebaceous unit /increased activity of the 5α-reductase enzyme results in the overproduction of DHT.

Sebaceous glands are part of the pilosebaceous unit (hair + oil gland duo).

Testosterones metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for the increase in the size of the sebaceous gland/production of sebum.

Higher than normal levels of this androgenic hormone, or increased sensitivity of the glands to normal levels of DHT can result in oily skin/acne on the face/chest/shoulders/back.

Too many tend to get caught up in excess/high DHT as being the culprit when in fact sensitivity of the AR (oil gland/hair follicle) is the main driver as normal levels of DHT can still lead to oily skin/acne.

Comes down to the individual/genetics.


Questions.
Should I cut back on to HcG? I love the libido and erections but can't take the bad effects.

If anything it would have been more helpful to compare labs to see where your trough TT, FT, and estradiol sat on the T-only protocol 100 mg T split (50 mg every 3.5 days) and now with the addition of Hcg 500 IU 2x/week.

Lowering your hCG dose 200-250 IU 2x/week would be a smart move and you could even try injecting lower doses more frequently.

If you are someone genetically prone to acne then finding the lowest FT level you can run while still maintaining the beneficial effects of having a healthy testosterone level would have a big impact on preventing/minimizing side effects.

Easier said than done.

Excess FT levels can result in acne/oily skin (genetically prone), accelerated balding (genetically prone), drive down HDL, increased RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit (common), overstimulation of the CNS (common), bloating/water retention due to androgens effects on the retention of electrolytes (common).

Let alone many end up trying to manage estradiol with the use of an aromatase inhibitor.


Has anyone cycled HcG? Maybe a few weeks on then take a few off?

If you are also concerned with preventing/minimizing testicular atrophy let alone maintain fertility then I would not waste your time cycling hCG.


Anyway to counter act the acne? Other than meds from a derm.

If you are one who is genetically prone to acne.

When it comes to your protocol:

*knowing where your FT level truly sits (accurate assays)

* avoid running too high an FT level

*injecting lower doses of T more frequently (clipping peak--->trough, achieving more stable T levels)

*lowering your overall weekly dose of T when adding hCG

*injecting lower doses of hCG more frequently

*running lower doses <100 mg T/week and adding nandrolone

Figure 1. Representation of serum testosterone fluctuations after several different administration methods. TE: Testosterone Enanthate, TU: Testosterone Undecanoate, T gel: Testosterone gel.

 

[JetSpyder]

I went to clinics for several years where I was started at 200 mg and I received HcG as well (no idea how much.) Just like many other members it was successful the first few years. Lots of libido and strong erections but side effects came along with it. Terrible sleep, anxiety, heart palpitations, and then I started breaking out on my face like a teenager.

I would bet that a good part of those sides was due to the T dose which would result in very high FT levels let alone peak--->trough once-weekly injections.

Most would never need such a dose to achieve a healthy, high let alone in some cases absurdly high FT.

Ridiculous to start anyone off on such a dose and it is hard to believe you stayed on the same piss poor protocol that long while dealing with such sides.

Although the use of hCG can contribute to sides depending on the dose used/the individual your trough FT level will have a significant impact on such!

Looking over your previous threads your SHBG was only 20 nmol/L.


I dealt with all of this for about 5 years then decided I needed to cut back (this is when I found this forum.) I dropped HcG for a while, reduced my test to 100 mg/week (50 Monday and 50 Thursday night.) However now I've struggled with libido for the past 2 years. I always thought it was the test that was causing most of the side effects but now I think it's HcG (good and bad.)

Even though you dropped the hCG the drop in T dose was significant 200 mg T once weekly--->100 mg T split (50mg every 3.5 days).

Going to be a big difference in your FT levels let alone peak--->trough.

Where do your trough TT, FT, and estradiol levels sit on your current protocol?

Did you even know where your FT level truly sits?

Was it tested using an accurate assay (ED or UF)?

Where does your SHBG sit as of now?


Without the HcG I had good and bad weeks. I have read over several forums and decided to start HcG (500 iu 2x/week) back up and give it a try for a few months. The first 3 weeks it made me feel like shit. I was about to stop but kept pushing thru. 2 weeks ago I had amazing energy and holy shit my libido came back. No more need for Cialis and strong lasting elections. I thought it's a miracle. All of a sudden this past week I have broken out all over my face like you couldn't imagine. 15 massive pimples all over my face and all over my scalp. I've seen dermatologist for years about these but they were mostly gone. I am a professional that has to shave and it's embarrassing and painful AF. Also it has given me anxiety and sleeplessness. However I still have my libido and good erections.

Clear as day that you are genetically prone to acne.

Again have no clue where your trough FT level truly sat on your current protocol 100 mg T/week split (50 mg every 3.5 days) before you added the hCG (500IU 2x/week).

The addition of hCG will drive up your T levels further and can easily contribute to oily skin/acne.

The increased sensitivity of the receptor to androgen at the pilosebaceous unit /increased activity of the 5α-reductase enzyme results in the overproduction of DHT.

Sebaceous glands are part of the pilosebaceous unit (hair + oil gland duo).

Testosterones metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for the increase in the size of the sebaceous gland/production of sebum.

Higher than normal levels of this androgenic hormone, or increased sensitivity of the glands to normal levels of DHT can result in oily skin/acne on the face/chest/shoulders/back.

Too many tend to get caught up in excess/high DHT as being the culprit when in fact sensitivity of the AR (oil gland/hair follicle) is the main driver as normal levels of DHT can still lead to oily skin/acne.

Comes down to the individual/genetics.


Questions.
Should I cut back on to HcG? I love the libido and erections but can't take the bad effects.

If anything it would have been more helpful to compare labs to see where your trough TT, FT, and estradiol sat on the T-only protocol 100 mg T split (50 mg every 3.5 days) and now with the addition of Hcg 500 IU 2x/week.

Lowering your hCG dose 200-250 IU 2x/week would be a smart move and you could even try injecting lower doses more frequently.

If you are someone genetically prone to acne then finding the lowest FT level you can run while still maintaining the beneficial effects of having a healthy testosterone level would have a big impact on preventing/minimizing side effects.

Easier said than done.

Excess FT levels can result in acne/oily skin (genetically prone), accelerated balding (genetically prone), drive down HDL, increased RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit (common), overstimulation of the CNS (common), bloating/water retention due to androgens effects on the retention of electrolytes (common).

Let alone many end up trying to manage estradiol with the use of an aromatase inhibitor.


Has anyone cycled HcG? Maybe a few weeks on then take a few off?

If you are also concerned with preventing/minimizing testicular atrophy let alone maintain fertility then I would not waste your time cycling hCG.


Anyway to counter act the acne? Other than meds from a derm.

If you are one who is genetically prone to acne.

When it comes to your protocol:

*knowing where your FT level truly sits (accurate assays)

* avoid running too high an FT level

*injecting lower doses of T more frequently (clipping peak--->trough, achieving more stable T levels)

*lowering your overall weekly dose of T when adding hCG

*injecting lower doses of hCG more frequently

*running lower doses <100 mg T/week and adding nandrolone




View attachment 17145
Figure 1. Representation of serum testosterone fluctuations after several different administration methods. TE: Testosterone Enanthate, TU: Testosterone Undecanoate, T gel: Testosterone gel.

I would bet that a good part of those sides was due to the T dose which would result in very high FT levels let alone peak--->trough once-weekly injections.

Most would never need such a dose to achieve a healthy, high let alone in some cases absurdly high FT.

Ridiculous to start anyone off on such a dose and it is hard to believe you stayed on the same piss poor protocol that long while dealing with such sides.

100% agree with this. I was ignorant and knew nothing about TRT at the time. All I can remember is that my tot T was 220. I don't even know what else they tested or checked. I continued on it because even with the side effects the positives outweighed the negatives so I stuck with it. It was in 2016 when everything got jacked. We decided to have a child so Dr at the time had me reduce my T to next to nothing and I was taking 1500 IU of HcG 3x a week for fertility. Though this jacked me up a bit we were able to conceive a child so it was worth it. Since then I have moved to Nevada and have been trying to get my shit on track.

Even though you dropped the hCG the drop in T dose was significant 200 mg T once weekly--->100 mg T split (50mg every 3.5 days).
Going to be a big difference in your FT levels let alone peak--->trough.

Very much correct. I remember back at time my total T was in the 1200-1400 range. Since I have dropped to the lower dose my total T has been sitting around 550.

Where do your trough TT, FT, and estradiol levels sit on your current protocol?

May 2021 (50 mg 2x) Nov 20 (120 mg 1x/week)
Total 527ng/dL range 264-916 ng/dL 637 range 264-916
Free 15.3pg/mL range 6.8-21.5 pg.mL 18.8 range 8.7-25.1

Estradiol
Total 29 range 8-35 20.3 range 8.0-35
Free 3.3 range 1.7-5.4

Did you even know where your FT level truly sits?
No I do not.

Was it tested using an accurate assay (ED or UF)?
Labs were done thru Labcorp. I know the estradiol was the ultra sensitive because I made sure they used it. Unsure for the test.

Where does your SHBG sit as of now?
Unfortunately where I live there are no good TRT doctors. Mine knows little about it and I basically just use him to prescribe my meds and blood work. When I got my labs in May I asked them to do everything and they said no the Dr only put in T and Estrogen so thats all i got. I got new blood work last week so I should have my new labs here any day. I had them get T, estradiol, prolactin, DHT, SHBG and B12.

Nov 2020 I got these. I think I was taking HcG at this time but can't remember.
DHT 75 range 30-85
Prolactin 9.6 range 4-15 ng/mL
SHBG 22.5 range 16.5-55.9 nmol/L
Looking back at some previous labs it seems a low SHBG guy. They are all in the low 20's.


Lowering your hCG dose 200-250 IU 2x/week would be a smart move and you could even try injecting lower doses more frequently.

I started this today. Planning on doing 250IU 2x per week. Cut it in half.

If you are someone genetically prone to acne then finding the lowest FT level you can run while still maintaining the beneficial effects of having a healthy testosterone level would have a big impact on preventing/minimizing side effects.

This is the frustrating and difficult part. I am not. I didn't deal with this as a child or adolescent. In my late 20s I developed painful blister type acne on my scalp. Every dermo I have been to calls it folliculitis. I have been on every antibiotic, cream and lotion you can imagine to fight it and I could keep it under control until I started TRT. It has gotten really bad the past 4 years or so and is the number 1 reason I am thoroughly trying to figure what is causing it to be worse. When I quit HcG early this year 70% of the folliculitis went away and I could control it again. However so did 70% of my libido.

*knowing where your FT level truly sits (accurate assays)
* avoid running too high an FT level
*injecting lower doses of T more frequently (clipping peak--->trough, achieving more stable T levels)
*lowering your overall weekly dose of T when adding hCG
*injecting lower doses of hCG more frequently
*running lower doses <100 mg T/week and adding nandrolone

My new labs should be in anytime this week so I can compare. I would just completely drop the HcG again but my sexual performance has been MUCH better the past 2 weeks and my testicules are much fuller. Whether this will continue or not is the great unknown. I am all for lowering doses and doing 3x weekly injections if necessary but my T levels are not very high where they sit now. I can't imagine the HcG will have that much of a boost.

I don't know anything about nandrolone but trying to get my Dr to prescribe it will be entertaining.

Thank you sooo much for all of your information. Its much appreciated. I will post my new labs once I get them and decide what protocol to adjust.

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

It could def be dopamine related. Other areas of enjoyment have faded. I’m not sad but I also don’t have the excitement for things like I used to. I have an amazing family and a great career so that helps. The HcG causes me to get irratated much quicker with things. Unfortunately due to my career its difficult for me to take many/any prescriptions.

There is a great NEW podcast on dopamine and motivation, drive, ect. Its by the number one science podcast right now.

Andrew Huberman, hubermanlab podcast on dopamine and how to use it to keep life enjoyable (youtube). I use my phone for dopamine hits, nictoine at times. They all lower our baseline over time.

Ice baths have been proven to increase dopamine as much as cocaine use. The only difference is stark. The increase in dopamine is steady throughout the day, not leading to a crash like many addictive substances. Anyway I thought I'd throw that out there as it might be interesting to you and can be useful.

I've been doing icebaths and meditation. Still wondering if I should add 250ius of hcg twice weekly though lol

 

[JetSpyder]

There is a great NEW podcast on dopamine and motivation, drive, ect. Its by the number one science podcast right now.

Andrew Huberman, hubermanlab podcast on dopamine and how to use it to keep life enjoyable (youtube). I use my phone for dopamine hits, nictoine at times. They all lower our baseline over time.

Ice baths have been proven to increase dopamine as much as cocaine use. The only difference is stark. The increase in dopamine is steady throughout the day, not leading to a crash like many addictive substances. Anyway I thought I'd throw that out there as it might be interesting to you and can be useful.

I've been doing icebaths and meditation. Still wondering if I should add 250ius of hcg twice weekly though lol

Thanks. I watched a documentary a while back where they interviewed some successful CEO’s who get up early and either take a really cold shower or jump into a pool that is around 50 degrees. Found it pretty interesting. I’ll check out the podcast.
I just lowered my HcG to 250 IU 2x a week. I’ll keep you updated to see if the symptoms taper off a little.

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

Thanks. I watched a documentary a while back where they interviewed some successful CEO’s who get up early and either take a really cold shower or jump into a pool that is around 50 degrees. Found it pretty interesting. I’ll check out the podcast.
I just lowered my HcG to 250 IU 2x a week. I’ll keep you updated to see if the symptoms taper off a little.

Yes it is pretty interesting. Sounds good on the HCG update. I am wishing you the best

 

[Dunc]

@JetSpyder - any updates on your acne? My current protocol is 125mg of Sustanon E5d and been running for just over a year. I started getting back acne about 7 months in and recently it's spread to chest and some on neck and forehead. I never suffered with Acne in my youth so a real shock as thought it would be one side effect I could avoid. Taking antibiotics and a cream (duac) but want to stop.

My Dr has recommended moving to Cypionate, reducing to 100mg E5d as Sustanon is supposedly notorious for acne. At the same time he has also introduced 250IU of HCG 3 times a week on my request, it's purely for cosmetic reasons not fertility (drop to 2 x a week when size restored)

After reading your story I'm now really paranoid about HCG.

I'm thinking of splitting Cypionate 3 times a week as well so easy to do both on same days. Does MWF mornings work for anyone?

Sorry for all the questions