Dihydroboldenone Cypionate (1-Testosterone Cypionate)
The cypionate ester of dihydroboldenone (1-testosterone), a potent DHT-class injectable often marketed as '1-Test Cyp' or DHB. It is essentially the 5-alpha reduced form of boldenone and cannot aromatise, giving strong, dry strength and mass gains without estrogenic bloat. It is notorious for painful injections and pronounced lethargy, and has little formal human characterisation.
01 Overview
Dihydroboldenone (1-testosterone) differs from testosterone by a double bond between carbons 1 and 2, which blocks aromatisation and yields a strongly anabolic, non-estrogenic molecule with an androgenic edge. The cypionate ester provides a long depot release suitable for weekly or twice-weekly injection. Compared with the shorter propionate versions of DHB, the cypionate smooths blood levels.
Users report high-quality, dry gains and strong strength increases but frequently describe severe post-injection soreness and marked fatigue that can limit dosing. There is essentially no clinical trial data; the profile is assembled from structural pharmacology and user reports, so it should be considered poorly characterised in humans.
02 Mechanism
Dihydroboldenone is a non-aromatising androgen receptor agonist; the cypionate ester is cleaved slowly to release the active steroid, which drives lean anabolism without estrogen conversion.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 100–200 mg/wk | IM | Start low; injection pain and lethargy often limit dose. |
| Common | 200–400 mg/wk | IM | Split doses to manage soreness. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry lean mass and strengthReported strong, non-watery gains suited to recomposition and strength phases. | Marked strength gains | Anecdotal | |
| No estrogenic side effectsCannot convert to estrogen, avoiding gynecomastia and bloat. | Non-aromatising | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe injection-site painDHB is well known for intense post-injection soreness that can be debilitating. | Moderate | Very common | Anecdotal | |
| Lethargy and fatigueUsers frequently report pronounced tiredness on DHB. | Moderate | Common | Anecdotal | |
| HPTA suppressionStrongly suppresses endogenous testosterone. | Severe | Universal | Preclinical |