In gyms, forums and private chats, people rarely use full chemical names like "methandienone" or "nandrolone decanoate." They say "Dbol," "Deca," "Tren," "Var," "BPC," "MK-677" — dozens of abbreviations and slang terms that mean nothing to outsiders and everything to insiders. This glossary explains every major term: general steroid slang, compound-by-compound names, peptide codes, SARM abbreviations, cycle vocabulary and UGL terminology — with links to the actual compounds where they exist.
General Slang — Steroids as a Category
These are the words people use for anabolic-androgenic steroids as a class — not for any specific compound:
| Slang Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gear | The most common gym term for any anabolic drugs. "Running gear" = currently on a cycle. Used globally in bodybuilding communities. |
| Juice | General term for steroids — "on the juice" = using AAS. Dates to the early bodybuilding era. |
| Roids / 'Roids | Shortened from "steroids." One of the oldest and most widely recognised terms in sports and mainstream culture. |
| Sauce | Less common variant of "juice" — same meaning, used in some online communities. |
| Pins | Refers to injections or syringes — "pinning" = injecting. "Weekly pins" = weekly injections. |
| Blast | A period of higher-dose AAS use — as opposed to "cruise" (maintenance). "Blast and cruise" = alternating high and low doses without full off-cycles. |
| Cruise | A lower-dose testosterone period between blasts — typically at TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) levels to maintain hormonal function without full suppression. |
| Natty | Short for "natural" — meaning not using any performance-enhancing compounds. "Natty or not" is a common debate phrase online. |
| Enhanced | Polite or neutral term for someone using AAS or other performance drugs — opposite of "natty." |
| Stackers | Users who run multiple compounds simultaneously — or the compounds themselves. From "stacking" multiple AAS in one cycle. |
| Gym Candy | Slang term appearing in anti-doping and public health literature — framing steroids as tempting quick-fix supplements. |
Why this language exists: slang develops when real names are too technical, too long, or too risky to say openly. "Tren" is easier than "trenbolone enanthate." "Var" is safer to text than "oxandrolone." Over time these terms spread across gyms, forums and social media until they become standard vocabulary in performance communities.
Injectable Steroids — Names and Abbreviations
Each injectable AAS has a chemical name, one or more brand names, and a common gym abbreviation. The number after the name typically indicates mg/ml concentration:
| Slang / Abbreviation | Chemical Name | Common Use | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test E | Testosterone Enanthate | Most common first cycle base — long ester, twice weekly | Enantat 250 |
| Test C | Testosterone Cypionate | Equivalent to Test E — interchangeable in practice | Cypionat 250 |
| Test P | Testosterone Propionate | Short ester — every other day injections, faster clearance | Propionat 100 |
| Sust / Sustanon | Testosterone blend (4 esters) | Multi-ester testosterone mix — varied release profile | Sustanon 270 |
| Deca | Nandrolone Decanoate | Classic bulking injectable — joint lubrication, slow gains | Deca 300 |
| NPP | Nandrolone Phenylpropionate | Short-ester Deca — faster clearance, more frequent pins | NPP 150 |
| Tren A | Trenbolone Acetate | Short ester Tren — EOD injections, fast clearance | Trenbolone 50 |
| Tren E | Trenbolone Enanthate | Long ester Tren — twice weekly, advanced users only | Trenbolone 200 |
| Mast / Masteron | Drostanolone | Cutting compound — hardness, mild AI properties | Masteron 100 |
| Primo / Primobolan | Methenolone Enanthate | Lean dry gains, low side effects — expensive | Primobolan 200 |
| EQ / Boldenone | Boldenone Undecylenate | Lean bulk, appetite stimulation, RBC increase | EQ 300 |
| Parabolan | Trenbolone Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate | Long-ester Tren — less frequent pins than Tren A | Parabolan 100 |
| Winny inject | Stanozolol injection | Injectable Winstrol — same compound as oral, water-based | Winstrol Inject |
| MENT | Trestolone Acetate | Very potent injectable — advanced compound | MENT 50 |
Oral Steroids — Names and Abbreviations
| Slang / Abbreviation | Chemical Name | Common Use | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dbol / D-bol | Methandrostenolone (Methandienone) | Classic oral bulking kickstart — rapid mass and strength | Dianabol 20 |
| Var | Oxandrolone | Mild oral — lean gains, cutting, women's cycles | Anavar 10 |
| Winny / Winstrol | Stanozolol | Dry hard gains, strength — cutting phase finisher | Winstrol 10 |
| Adrol / A-bombs | Oxymetholone | Very strong oral bulker — rapid mass, high hepatotoxicity | Oxymetholon |
| Tbol / Turinabol | Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone | Dry Dbol — slower, leaner gains without water retention | Turanabol |
| Superdrol / SDrol | Methyldrostanolone | Very potent dry oral — exceptional strength, very hepatotoxic | Superdrol |
| Halo | Fluoxymesterone | Strength-focused oral — advanced compound, very androgenic | Halotestin |
| Oral Tren | Methyltrienolone | Oral trenbolone — extremely hepatotoxic, very short cycles only | Oral Tren |
17-alpha alkylated (17-aa): most oral steroids are chemically modified at the 17th carbon position to survive liver first-pass metabolism. This modification — called 17-alpha alkylation — is why oral steroids are hepatotoxic. When someone says a compound is "17-aa" or "liver toxic," this is the mechanism. See: Injectable vs Oral Steroids — Complete Guide.
Peptides — Codes and Short Names
Peptides are referred to almost exclusively by short codes rather than full chemical names. They are not steroids — see Are Peptides a Steroid? for the full explanation.
| Code / Name | Full Name | Primary Use | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC / BPC-157 | Body Protecting Compound 157 | Tendon, ligament, muscle and gut repair | BPC-157 Dragon Pharma |
| TB-500 | Thymosin Beta-4 analogue | Systemic tissue repair, anti-inflammatory | TB-500 Dragon Pharma |
| BPC+TB | BPC-157 + TB-500 blend | Combined localised + systemic repair stack | BPC-157 + TB-500 blend |
| Ipa / Ipamorelin | Ipamorelin (pentapeptide) | Selective GH secretagogue — clean GH pulse, no cortisol | Ipamorelin Dragon Pharma |
| CJC / CJC-1295 | CJC-1295 with DAC | GHRH analogue — sustained GH elevation, once-twice weekly | CJC-1295 DAC |
| Tesa / Tesamorelin | Tesamorelin | FDA-approved GHRH analogue — visceral fat reduction | Tesamorelin Dragon Pharma |
| Sermorelin | Sermorelin acetate | Short-acting GHRH — physiological GH support, anti-aging | Sermorelin Dragon Pharma |
| IGF / IGF-1 LR3 | Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Long R3 | Direct anabolic — satellite cell activation, post-workout | IGF-1 LR3 |
| AOD / AOD-9604 | Anti-Obesity Drug 9604 | GH fragment — lipolysis without GH side effects | AOD-9604 |
| GHRP-2 / GHRP-6 | Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 2/6 | Older GH secretagogues — GHRP-6 causes appetite spike | GHRP-2 / GHRP-6 |
| MT-2 / Melanotan | Melanotan II | Tanning peptide — also increases libido | Melanotan II |
| PT-141 | Bremelanotide | Libido and sexual function peptide | PT-141 |
| Epitalon | Epithalamin tetrapeptide | Anti-aging, telomere extension — longevity protocol | Epitalon Dragon Pharma |
| GHK-Cu | Copper tripeptide-1 | Collagen synthesis, skin, hair, connective tissue | GHK-Cu Dragon Pharma |
| Tirze / Tirzepatide | Tirzepatide | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist — most potent fat loss peptide | Tirzepatide 5mg |
Peptide calculator: use the Steroid Warehouse Peptide Calculator to calculate reconstitution volumes and dosing for any peptide. For a full guide to using peptides: Best Peptides for Muscle Growth and Recovery.
SARMs — Research Codes and Nicknames
SARMs are identified almost universally by their research codes. They are not steroids but act on androgen receptors — see the full comparison: SARMs vs Steroids.
| Code / Name | Generic Name | Primary Use | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGD / LGD-4033 | Ligandrol | Most anabolic SARM — lean bulk, significant suppression | LGD-4033 Dragon Pharma |
| Osta / MK-2866 | Ostarine (Enobosarm) | Mildest SARM — recomp, joint support, women's option | Ostarine Dragon Pharma |
| MK-677 / Ibu | Ibutamoren | GH secretagogue — NOT a SARM. No suppression, oral | MK-677 Dragon Pharma |
| S23 | S23 (Mastorin) | Most suppressive SARM — dry hard gains, full PCT required | S23 Dragon Pharma |
| YK-11 | YK-11 | Myostatin inhibitor + SARM — lean mass, strength | YK-11 Dragon Pharma |
| GW / Cardarine | GW-501516 | PPARδ agonist — NOT a SARM. Endurance, fat loss | GW-501516 Dragon Pharma |
MK-677 and GW-501516 are not SARMs despite being grouped with them constantly. MK-677 is a ghrelin receptor agonist (GH secretagogue) — no testosterone suppression, no PCT required. GW-501516 is a PPARδ agonist — entirely different mechanism. They are sold alongside SARMs but work through completely different pathways.
Cycle Vocabulary
How users talk about running, structuring and timing their AAS use:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cycle | A planned period of AAS use with a defined start and end — followed by an off period and PCT. Standard cycles are 10–16 weeks. |
| Blast | A higher-dose phase — typically 12–20 weeks — for maximum gains. Part of "blast and cruise" protocols. |
| Cruise | A maintenance dose phase between blasts — typically TRT-level testosterone (100–200 mg/week). Never fully "off." |
| On cycle / Off cycle | "On" = currently using AAS. "Off" = no AAS use, in recovery or PCT. |
| Stack | Running multiple compounds simultaneously in one cycle — e.g., Test + Deca + Dbol. |
| Kickstart | Using a fast-acting oral (Dianabol, Turinabol) for the first 4 weeks while a long-ester injectable builds to stable blood levels. |
| Finisher | Adding an oral (Anavar, Winstrol) in the final 4–6 weeks of a cycle to harden physique and increase strength. |
| Pin / Pinning | Injecting — "pinning twice a week" = two injections per week. |
| EOD | Every Other Day — injection frequency for short-ester compounds like Testosterone Propionate and Trenbolone Acetate. |
| ED | Every Day — injection frequency for very short-ester compounds. |
| Shutdown | Complete suppression of natural testosterone production — LH and FSH near zero. All significant AAS cycles cause shutdown within 2–4 weeks. See: Will Steroids Shut Down Testosterone? |
| Suppression | Reduced natural testosterone — can be partial (mild compounds at low dose) or complete (shutdown). All AAS cause some degree of suppression. |
| Wet gains | Mass gained with significant water retention — common with aromatising compounds like testosterone and Dianabol. Looks bigger but some clears post-cycle. |
| Dry gains | Lean mass without water retention — from non-aromatising compounds like Masteron, Anavar, Trenbolone, Primobolan. |
| Recomp | Simultaneous fat loss and muscle gain — body recomposition. Most effective on AAS + caloric maintenance or slight deficit. |
| PIP | Post-Injection Pain — soreness at the injection site after pinning. Common with short esters (Test P, Tren A) and high-concentration products. |
| Crashed E2 | Estradiol (E2) suppressed too low from excessive AI use — causes joint pain, low libido, depression. See: Common Steroid Mistakes. |
| Gyno / Bitch tits | Gynecomastia — breast tissue development in males from excess estrogen. Early sign: nipple sensitivity and puffiness. |
| TRT | Testosterone Replacement Therapy — medically prescribed testosterone for hypogonadism. 100–200 mg/week typically. |
PCT and Hormone Recovery Terms
Post Cycle Therapy has its own vocabulary — see the complete guide: PCT — Post Cycle Therapy: The Complete Guide.
| Term | Meaning | Product |
|---|---|---|
| PCT | Post Cycle Therapy — SERM protocol after AAS cycles to restore natural testosterone production | Cycle Support |
| SERM | Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator — blocks estrogen at hypothalamus/pituitary to restart LH/FSH. Nolvadex and Clomid are SERMs. | — |
| Nolva / Nolvadex | Tamoxifen citrate — the most common PCT SERM. Standard protocol: 40/40/20/20 mg/day | Nolvadex Dragon Pharma |
| Clomid | Clomiphene citrate — SERM used in PCT, particularly after more suppressive cycles | Clomid Dragon Pharma |
| Enclo / Enclomiphene | Enclomiphene citrate — trans-isomer of Clomid, cleaner side effect profile | Enclomiphene Dragon Pharma |
| AI | Aromatase Inhibitor — reduces estrogen conversion from testosterone. Adex (Arimidex) and Aromasin most common. | — |
| Adex / Anastrozole | Arimidex — AI used on cycle for E2 management | Arimidex Dragon Pharma |
| Exemestane / Aromasin | Steroidal AI — preferred by some over anastrozole for PCT compatibility | Aromasin Dragon Pharma |
| Letro / Letrozole | Femara — very potent AI, used for gyno reversal or on heavy aromatising cycles | Femara Dragon Pharma |
| HCG | Human Chorionic Gonadotropin — mimics LH, prevents testicular atrophy on cycle and restimulates testes pre-PCT | HCG 5000iu Dragon Pharma |
| Caber / Cabergoline | Dopamine agonist — lowers prolactin after 19-nor cycles (Deca, Tren) | Cabergoline Dragon Pharma |
| HPG axis | Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis — the hormonal feedback system controlling natural testosterone. AAS suppress it completely. | — |
| LH / FSH | Luteinizing Hormone / Follicle-Stimulating Hormone — pituitary hormones that signal the testes. Suppressed to near zero on cycle. | — |
Underground Lab (UGL) Language
Most non-medical AAS supply comes from Underground Labs — unofficial manufacturers producing their own vials, tablets and labels. Understanding UGL language helps identify product types and quality claims:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| UGL | Underground Lab — unofficial AAS manufacturer. No regulatory oversight, no standardised quality. Contrast with pharmaceutical-grade products from established manufacturers. |
| Pharma grade | Pharmaceutical-grade product from a verified manufacturer — consistent concentration, sterile preparation, quality raw materials. Dragon Pharma, Kalpa, British Dragon. |
| Human grade | Originally manufactured for human medical use — the highest quality standard. Rare in the performance space. |
| Vet grade | Veterinary-grade product — originally for animals. Boldenone (Equipoise) was originally veterinary. Lower regulatory standard than human-grade. |
| Test E 250 / Tren A 100 | UGL naming convention: compound abbreviation + ester initial + concentration in mg/ml. "Test E 250" = Testosterone Enanthate 250 mg/ml. |
| Blend / Mix | Multi-compound vial — "Cut Mix," "Mass Stack," "Tren/Test blend." May contain 2–4 compounds in one vial. |
| Bunk | Underdosed, inert or counterfeit product. "That gear is bunk" = the product doesn't work as labelled. |
| Crashed oil | Injectable compound that has crystallised in the vial — appears cloudy or has visible particles. Can be re-dissolved with heat in some cases. |
Why sourcing matters: the 2024 AAS chemical testing programme found over 52% of user-submitted underground lab samples had quality issues — wrong compound or wrong concentration. Pharma-grade products from verified manufacturers like Dragon Pharma, Kalpa and British Dragon eliminate this risk. See: How to Spot Fake Steroids, Peptides and SARMs.