Whether you know it as Tren, Fina, Finajet, Finaplix, Trenabol, Parabolan, Trenbolone acetate or Trenbolone — this veterinary-medicine-turned-performance-enhancing drug became popular in the 1980s amongst athletes and bodybuilders. Since late 2022, the synthetic androgenic steroid has found renewed notoriety thanks to platforms like TikTok, content like “the 30 day Tren challenge” and creators like “the Tren twins” (who state they do not use Tren).
A quick scroll through socials and you’ll find as much content about the dangerous side effects of Tren as there are about the benefits. Some side effects are so common they have their own monikers like “trensomnia” and “tren cough”, which normalise use of the drug and trivialise the consequences. But the impact trenbolone can have on your brain and body could be permanent and irreversible.
Here’s what you need to know about Trenbolone and its side effects.
What is Tren?
Trenbolone acetate is a synthetic anabolic steroid of the nandrolone group. It was designed to increase muscle growth and appetite in livestock. Despite being illegal for human use in many countries, trenbolone is used by some people for increasing muscularity, strength and fat loss. Part of its appeal is resistance to aromatisation, which means it doesn’t convert to estrogen in the body.
What are the side effects of Trenbolone?
As trenbolone is not approved human use, there is limited data on its safety profile in humans. Many of these side effects are based on anecdotal reports, case studies (like a 23-year-old body builder hospitalised with myocardial infarction following chronic Trenbolone acetate use) and animal studies.
There’s also research on Australian men highlighting side effects like aggression, violent behaviour, and impulsivity regulation issues, and the impact Tren can have on mental health and relationships.
“I know for myself that I will never touch tren again. The psychological effects of that, I was not ready for and was not capable of handling. My mind pretty much just went to mush. Like I was just an angry c**t. You couldn’t have told me anything different—even if you if you were right, I was still right like it was just f**ked, so I think this drug plays a massive role in the psychological aspects.”
– Participant in ‘My mind pretty much went to mush’: A qualitative exploration of trenbolone in the performance and image enhancing drug community’
Side effects of Trenbolone
The severity and occurrence of side effects varies depending on dosage, duration of use and other individual factors.
People can become dependent on steroids like trenbolone, and stopping use can be incredibly tough. Not only do they go through normal withdrawl symptoms (like fatigue, headache, musculoskeletal pain, insomnia), but also symptoms of androgen deficiency (such as low libido, poor concentration, hot flushes, sweating) and regression of the muscle and performance changes that occurred during use.
When taking steroids, you’re overriding your body’s production of testosterone. When you stop steroid abuse, it takes your body weeks to months to get back to making its own testosterone.
“It really took a toll… both emotionally and physically. I should stay away but I have bottles of it just staring at me every time I open my safe so eventually I know I will give in. Lol. I said last time I wouldn’t touch Tren again but here I am lol.”
– Forum user sourced in “I go back to it every f**king time”: the normalization of problematic Trenbolone use in online anabolic-androgenic steroid communities
Is Trenbolone legal in Australia?
No. Tren is a controlled substance and it’s illegal to possess or supply it without a prescription or permit in Australia. In some states, it’s classified in the same category as heroin and ice, so possessing or supplying steroids can result in significant jail time.
People also ask
Is Trenbolone a steroid?
Yes, Trenbolone is an anabolic steroid.
Does Trenbolone increase testosterone?
No. Trenbolone does not directly increase testosterone levels, it has the opposite effect. Trenbolone actually suppresses the body’s natural testosterone production by essentially replacing the need for testosterone in the body.
Does Trenbolone make you infertile?
Yes, Trenbolone can make you infertile. Trenbolone strongly suppresses the body’s natural testosterone production, which is crucial for sperm production and overall fertility. It can affect your fertility during its use and for some time after. Recovery time can vary a lot between people and in come cases, there’s a risk of more persistent fertility issues.
How can I legally get Tren?
You can’t.
