there is a reason why we need to cycle off steroids, but it's commonly misunderstood. people generally think that after 10 weeks or so it becomes much harder for a person to continue making gains while on steroids. this leads to a possible misconception that the steroid receptor, or androgen receptor (AR) is downregulated. there is some truth to this. the AR has been shown to be downregulated after prolonged use of androgens in certain cells. by this i mean there is just less AR for androgens to bind to, thus getting saturated faster. the androgens don't actually bind less strongly to the AR as is the case with overuse of clenbuterol and desensitization of the beta-2-receptor.
does time off really = time on? it has been shown in studies that AR numbers recover back to their normal levels within just a couple of weeks, at most, after prolonged androgen exposure. however, the htpa and the endocrine system in general takes much longer to resume normal hormonal functions after stopping a long AS cycle. it is very important that this endocrine system recovers, not only for your health, but for better results in future cycles. bridging with even low amounts of AS like anavar, while still allowing the androgen receptors to recover, will slow down the recovery of the endocrine system. any AS taken at the quantities enough to make you grow will shut the endocrine system down. pro bb who stay on year round may never recover proper endocrine function later in life.
for a more thorough read on androgen receptors check out:
http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum...hreadid=120342
there are 2 different sides of the story offered by wcp, panerai, and myself.
also,
http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum...hreadid=120344
