Dangers of DNP ~ All you Need to Know

[Sistersteel]

***Identification***

2,4-Dinitrophenol is a yellow crystalline (sand-like) solid but is often found in a solution. It is used in dyes, photo developers, explosives, and as a preservative of lumber. Dinitrophenols as a class of compounds, of which there are six members, do not occur naturally but are all manufactured compounds.

DNP is HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE, FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE when DRY, and a DANGEROUS FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD. Extreme caution must be exercised when handling, storing, and working with DNP in its raw form.
DNP IS A CELLULAR METABOLIC POISON. It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, leading to a rapid consumption of energy without generation of ATP.


***Pharmacological action***

In living cells, DNP acts as a proton ionophore, an agent that can shuttle protons (hydrogen ions) across biological membranes. It defeats the proton gradient across mitochondria and chloroplast membranes, collapsing the proton motive force that the cell uses to produce most of its ATP chemical energy. Instead of producing ATP, the energy of the proton gradient is lost as heat. Cells counteract the lowered yields of ATP by oxidizing more stored reserves such as carbohydrates and fat.

DNP is often used in biochemistry research to help explore the regulation of bioenergetics in different organisms.


***Use as dieting aid***

DNP was used extensively in the 1930s in diet pills after Cutting and Tainter at Stanford University made their first report on the drug's ability to greatly increase metabolic rate. DNP acts as a protonophore in the mitochondrial membrane, uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation and making ATP energy production less efficient. In effect, part of the energy that is normally produced from cellular respiration is wasted as heat. This inefficiency is proportional to the dose of DNP that is taken. Thus, as the dose increases and energy production is made less efficient, the metabolic rate is increased (and more fat is burned) in order to compensate for the inefficiency and meet energy demands. Interestingly, the factor that limits ever increasing doses of DNP is not a lack of ATP energy production, but rather an excessive rise in body temperature due to the heat produced during uncoupling. Accordingly, DNP overdose will cause a fatal fever. Concerns about dangerous side-effects and rapidly developing cataracts resulted in DNP being discontinued in the United States by the end of 1938. DNP, however, continues to be used by some bodybuilders and athletes to rapidly lose body fat. Fatal overdoses are rare, but are still reported on occasion.

While DNP itself is considered by many to be too risky for human use, its mechanism of action remains under investigation as a potential approach for treating obesity.

[Sistersteel]

***Hazard Summary***

• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can effect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause reproductive damage. Handle with extreme caution.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
• Contact can irritate the skin. Long term exposure may cause dermatitis.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the eyes, and may cause clouding of the eye lenses (cataracts).
• Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
• High or repeated exposure can affect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions and even death.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.

[Sistersteel]

***Acute Health Effects***
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol:

• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the skin and eyes.
• Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
• Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol cause fatigue, thirst, sweating, headache and weakness. It may also cause anxiety and excitement.

***Chronic Health Effects***
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol and can last for months or years:

***Cancer Hazard ***
According to the information presently available 2,4-dinitrophenol has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. As a rule phenols tend to be carcinogenic, but the effects that DNP has in that regards requires a more in-depth study to determine its effects.

***Reproductive Hazard ***
There is limited evidence that 2,4-dinitrophenol may damage the developing fetus meaning that feal damage has occured in a small percentage of women who were exposed to DNP, but the number could be purely coincidental. No controlled studies have been performed to prove this hazard.

***Cataract Development ***
The most notable health hazard that 2,4-dinitrophenol presents is the reason the FDA barred its use as a weight loss agent. During its short stay as the leading weight loss drug offered, less than 1% of the women who consumed this substance developed clouding of the eyes, or cataracts. Today, supplements are available to counter this effect as described in the Weight Loss section of this website.

***Other Long-Term Effects ***
• Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause dermatitis.
• High or repeated exposure can effect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, anxiety, weakness, convulsions and even death.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.

[Sistersteel]

***Weight Loss with DNP - Scientifically Speaking***

DNP accomplishes the astounding boost in metabolic rate via inhibition of the F0F1 ATP synthase molecule, located in the inner wall of each mitochondrion. While the electron transport chain still functions to pump hydrogen ions into the inter-membrane space, the coupling of the proton gradient to ATP production is rendered impossible by DNP. As a result, ATP production is dramatically reduced, and the energy is instead thrown off as heat. This results in an astounding production of heat; when using dinitrophenol, the athlete will radiate so much heat that it is uncomfortable to be within any proximity of them. Luckily, this heat does not fully contribute to body temperature increases, and is instead thrown off from the entire body surface, particularly the head. As a result, adequate doses of DNP will usually only elevate body temperature by about 1-1.5ºC. This is a good thing for your central nervous system and other delicate tissues. If the heat produced by ATP contributed in a more direct matter to body temperature, effective doses for fat loss would cause body temperature increase. Nonetheless, overheating is a very real danger.
Under these conditions, much of the food that we eat could not be used for ATP synthesis and we lose weight. However, too much inhibitor and we could make too little ATP for life. The difference between weight loss and death is only a small concentration change in dinitrophenol, making the drug dangerous. Simply put, this means that while eating your normal diet, you will have somewhere between 20% and 40% reduction of calories (Hardly worth the risk).

[Sistersteel]

***Risks of using 2,4-Dinitrophenol DNP for Weight Loss***
Hearing all of these wonderful things probably has you wondering what the side effects and risks are. They are quite formidable and contribute to making DNP one of the most intolerable (though effective) drugs used in bodybuilding.

Overheating - There is no upper limit to DNP's body temperature increase, meaning that one may literally "cook from the inside" if they take too much. Dosage considerations will be given later, but even an overdose of 4-6 times the recommended dosage may be lethal. Much smaller overdoses may result in damage to the brain and/or other body systems such as the liver and kidneys. Supplements help reduce this risk.

Dehydration - Probably the single most dangerous aspect of DNP usage, dehydration sets in when the muscles and other body systems do not have enough glucose to stay properly hydrated. The body's temperature raise is much more harmful when it has no water to regulate temperatures and glucose levels. This can be battled by replacing electrolytes with Potassium supplementation and supplementing with Glycerol, a muscle hydrator and energizer.

Carcinogenesis - Phenols in general are reputed to be carcinogenic. Although 2,4-dinitrophenol has never been implicated in a cancer diagnosis, some are nonetheless concerned, and understandably so. In addition to the inherent carcinogenic potential caused by its status as a phenol, production of free radicals and the release of various compounds stored in adipose tissue stores during DNP's rapid oxidation of fat may also potentially be harmful.

Discomfort and sweating - This is the single most noticeable effect of DNP use, both by the user and those around him/her. Even in the winter, while indoors at ambient temperatures, one may expect his or her shirt to be completely soaked through with sweat. Those with jobs requiring formal or semi-formal apparel are advised to consider other means of fat loss (or a new job, if preferred). Other obvious considerations lie in the areas of social life, personal appearance, etc. and the user must prioritize.

Insomnia - Second in frequency of reports to sweating and discomfort is insomnia. This may be at least partially attributed to discomfort. Possible means of countering this include such supplements as Valerian root or melatonin. Alternatively, one may deal with this via prescription or OTC sleep medications or GHB-A precursors. However, these may be addictive if used on a regular basis and if their use may be avoided, by all means abstain from using them.

Yellow bodily fluids - Some don't notice this, but others find that all of their bodily fluids take on a yellowish appearance. Urine is a darker yellow, and even semen and vaginal secretions may be affected. According to current knowledge, this is not known to be harmful in and of itself.

Muscle soreness - This is yet another thing that may be minimized via cerebral function. Dan Duchaine has recommended using a weight such as to allow no fewer than 15 reps per set of any weight training workout; judging from anecdotal reports and personal experience, this seems to be good advice. Low levels of ATP are a cause of muscle soreness in and of itself. The additional factor of encumbered recovery mechanisms make extreme soreness (and if not careful, catabolism) quite possible.

Allergic reactions - These are highly individualized but may be summarily discussed. Various reactions are common with DNP use, and approximately 10% of users will be extremely allergic to it. Allergic reactions can include hives, blisters, and/or inexplicable rashes.

Carbohydrate Cravings - To counter this, some methods will be touched on later. As with most diets, willpower is sometimes the single most important factor. Other drugs such as Meridia and supplements such as Hot Rox give a user the edge to combat these cravings as well as boost energy.


CONSUMING DNP FOR WEIGHT LOSS PURPOSES IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHATSOEVER, but if you are exposed to it, you suffer any of these side effects, and they are extremely bothersome, it is the recommendation to cease contact immediately and see your physician as soon as possible. Do not attempt to continue the exposure at that point.

[Sistersteel]

***Safe and Effective DNP Dosage... ***

...at least as safe as it gets when using DNP for weight loss. Dosing is highly individualized and most generalizations tend to collapse quite quickly. As a result, none will be attempted. Start on the low end of the scale and see how you react. It is not recommended to take more than 300mg at any one time.
Getting the right dosage of DNP is rather easy to do although the importance of proper dosage cannot be overstated. It is far better for one to err on the side of too little rather than too much, certainly in the case of the novice who does not know if they are allergic to the substance.

As stated before, the commonly used dosage by bodybuilders and other reasonably lean persons is 4-6mg/kg of bodyweight. This would mean that a 100-kilogram bodybuilder would use anywhere from 400-600mg per day. Experienced users commonly are found using up to 800mg/day relatively safely, and beginners sometimes find that they enjoy 3-5 pounds of fat loss per week with as little as 200mg/day.

So, a person weighing 200 lbs would weigh about 91 kg. So 4mgs per kg of body weight would be the equivalent of 364 mgs of DNP per day. Since DNP comes in 200 mg capsules (usually), the user would take one cap twice daily to stay within range. The lethal dose is a mere 32mg/kg...only 4 times the max effective dose of 800mg/day. The addage "more is better" does not ring true in this case. Heed the warning!


Beginners: Always start off small, say 200mg/day for 3-4 days to test your allergies. If no allergic reactions occur you may then consider increasing the dosage.


DNP should be taken in 8 to 12-day cycles to avoid liver and kidney damage and to allow your muscles to recover. Bodybuilders typically look their best 48 to 96 hours after cessation of usage. A 10-day cycle of 400mg per day (200mg twice daily) would be a typical effective dose for a 225lb man. This allows for a total of two weeks from start to finish with a 4-day recovery period. Positive results have been seen with a lower dose, but conversely, better results have been achieved safely with a higher dose. Positive results have been seen in users taking 200mg to 800mg per day. Keep the formula of 4-6mg/kg of body weight in mind.


As for the time of day, take each of two doses 12 hours apart (or 8 hours apart if taking 3 doses), one in the morning with food to maximize the calorie burning effects and the second dose just before bedtime with a snack to maximize your bodies natural nocturnal increase in resting metabolism. A larger man taking 600mg per day should divide the dose into a 5:00PM portion and another portion taken approximately 30 minutes before bedtime. Someone taking 200-300mg/day could easily take one dose in the evening.


This should not decrease thyroid output dramatically and makes use of T3 (triiodothyronine, brand name Cytomel) unnecessary in short cycles. T4-T3 conversion does decrease dramatically in the liver due to excessive heat over a longer period of exposure. This begins within 24 hours of the first dose. However, there is usually adequate active thyroid hormone to make it through 8-10 days (possibly up to 12 days depending on experience level) of using it while maintaining elevated body temperature. To ensure T3 levels remain adequate, one can supplement T3 starting 7 days before last dose and cycling through until 7 days after the last DNP dose to provide extra T3 support while your body's T3 producing abilities recover.


After approximately 3-5 days, the user may find themselves with a waking temperature that is no longer elevated, even though they are still using DNP. This is due to the decrease in T3 and may signal the necessity of either the use of exogenous T3 in subsequent cycles or shorter cycles of the drug. In addition, the schedule given works nicely because the user is able to enjoy the anabolic rebound effect on a relatively regular basis. Also, longer cycles might leave the muscle fibers in a state of relative dehydration and "starved" of ATP for too long; both of these readily contribute to catabolism.


Since DNP has this inhibiting effect, glycolosis is inhibited as well, causing a diabetic effect due to the conversion of glucose without insulin, so you may have heard that people take insulin with DNP. This will counter act the symptoms of lethargy and lack of energy due to DNP's use. Other supplementation is also suggested to limit side effects as stated later in this thread.

[Sistersteel]

***Timetable of Effects and Symptoms of a DNP Cycle ***

Day 1 -None; possibly elevated carbohydrate cravings and/or temperature elevation.

Day 2 - T4-T3 conversion has begun to decrease; lethargy possible. Temperature should be elevated, and radiation of heat is noticeable.

Days 3-5 - Body temperature is elevated, with all the effects that one expects from DNP use. In addition, water retention usually becomes manifest here.

Days 6-10 - Definite water retention, along with other symptoms of use; user most likely feels fatter due to having "flatter" muscles (mainly the result of glycogen depletion) and holding water. Final DNP dose taken in the evening of Day 10.

Days 11-12 - DNP is clearing the system slowly. All symptoms are still present.

Days 13-14 - Water should be gone by now, or getting there. Mild diuretics will expedite this. The user will probably notice perceived greater cardiovascular and muscular endurance.

96 Hours After Final Dose - This is when someone tends to look their best. Their glycogen stores are usually compensated at this point and the retained water should be gone.

[Sistersteel]

***Supplementation***
While using DNP, supplements can greatly aid both in the effectiveness of the therapy and the comfort of the user. Of particular importance are antioxidants and the following quantities are recommended:

• Magnesium (1500mg)*
• Vitamin C (3000mg in divided doses)*
• Vitamin E (1200 IU in divided doses)*
• Glutathione (200mg in divided doses)***)
• NAC (various amounts)**
• T3 (dose according to personal preference)**
• Calcium (2000mg not taken with the Magnesium)
• 5-HTP (if not on antidepressant medication) (various amounts)****
• Meridia, Redux, or Fenfluramine (various amounts)****
• Hydroxycitric Acid (particularly in the evenings to curb cravings)****
• Pyruvate (2-6g/day in divided doses)
• Glycerol (3 tbsp/day in divided doses)
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid (500-1000mg daily in divided doses)

Key:
* = Integral component of DNP program
** = Of questionable (although possible) importance)
*** = Of particular importance to women for prevention of cataracts
**** = For the purpose of appetite suppression (may not be needed)

[Sistersteel]

***Practical Considerations***
Given all of this information, there are nonetheless more things to know before you undertake your first DNP cycle. The following tips and tricks gathered from personal experience and consultations with users are presented for your aid:

• Aim a fan at your head at night. Your head is the most precious thing on your body and is a prime site for heat loss. Any air flowing over it will aid in cooling via convection.
• Wash your bedding daily. It is a good idea to have some spare pillowcases on hand, if nothing else. Most likely, you will be sweating profusely while you sleep, and this will make your bed smell as enticing as a locker room. Cleanliness is also essential in the prevention of disease, not to mention the fact that you are breathing out DNP "fumes" all night and they collect on your bedding.
• Prevention of disease goes beyond washing your clothes, and includes all of the normal precautions that you would make to avoid infection, although in a more exaggerated way. DNP depletes your body of energy needed to battle pathogens and weakens your immune system, leaving you ripe for infection and incapable of fighting off most diseases once they have taken hold.
• This is rather intuitive, but be certain to wear loose, light clothing, preferably of a light color.
• Similarly intuitive is the desire to remain in a cool area … be CERTAIN not to overheat.
• Proper hydration is necessary – I have personally consumed up to 8 liters of water per day. Glycerol specifically aids in muscle hydration, so its use may be very important, particularly when considering that muscle cells in even a semi-dehydrated state are prime sites for catabolism.
• Cardiovascular work while on DNP – This is a strange issue that I have been asked about regularly, but am undecided in the direction to take and generally recommend that the user decide for themselves. My personal preference is to do cardio with a fan focused on me for 30-35 minutes at a relatively high intensity. This is an area for personal preference; barring other considerations, just see if you can handle it or not and go from there. Always be ready to stop if you feel yourself getting extremely overheated or weak.
• Diet - One may wonder why this issue receives such limited attention; after all, most methods of fat loss require a restrictive diet of some nature. However, there is no set diet that one must use to achieve good results with dinitrophenol, only certain factors that allow the user to decide intelligently how to eat:

Insulin - DNP blunts the effects of insulin; this is a huge boon for dieters because insulin blocks lipolysis and causes the storage of
adipose tissue. This means that carbohydrate intake does not need to be strictly limited, although it should stay reasonable for optimal
results.

Body Temperature and Comfort - A general guideline is that the more carbohydrates eaten, the hotter the user will get while on DNP. Similarly, overfeeding also produces extreme heat; any excess calories are thrown off as heat quite readily. For this reason, along with certain hormonal factors, Duchaine espouses an Isometric diet while on DNP, and I have followed this personally with good results.

CKD's - These are extremely impractical while on a cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD), and are especially dangerous. This brings up blood glucose considerations; it is important to try to maintain relatively stable, or at least not severely depressed, blood glucose levels. If this guideline is not followed, the user may experience blurred vision and/or extreme fatigue possibly augmented by fainting or lightheadedness.

***Anabolic rebound effect ***– Dan Duchaine spoke of this effect regarding DNP a while back. At the time, it seemed impossible. But I know of many who have experienced this phenomenon, and it indeed happens. Possible causes include, but are not limited to, either an anabolic effect from glycogen supercompensation-induced cellular expansion, or due to increased mitochondrial density. Increased mitochondrial density is an adaptive mechanism of the body and takes place surprisingly quickly in the presence of an uncoupler such as DNP (or anything else that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation). Whatever the mechanism of the anabolic rebound effect may be, the user can expect to gain about 5-7 pounds of intramuscular water or muscle and lose about the same amount of subcutaneous and intraperitoneal water within a week after their last DNP dose. This is probably the most pleasant aspect of using DNP; the user not only experiences unrivaled fat loss, but also enjoys a fair amount of hypertrophy without any other supplements or drugs. Muscle retention, and possibly gain, is improved with careful attention to several previously discussed considerations such as proper hydration and intelligent cycling.

[JVALDEZ]

Can dnp be taken with other anaolics?

[Sistersteel]

Conclusion


Currently, DNP is the most powerful weapon against fat loss in the bodybuilder's arsenal; however, this does not necessarily mean that it is right for everyone or is by any means safe. The possibility also exists that PGF2 may be better for some people, particularly when taking the fact that it may kill fat cells into consideration. However, the guidelines given here will allow the user unrivaled fat loss, and will do so quite safely provided that precautionary measures are taken.

I personally do NOT condone the use of DNP for any reason. The risks and dangers far outweigh the benefits. Comparable or better results can be achieved with proper diet, training and cardio. Quick fixes always come with a hefty price.

[Sistersteel]

Can dnp be taken with other anaolics?

Many "Gurus" are recommending DNP as a component to any steroid cycle to ensure that weight gained is purely muscle and not fat. While this certainly works great on paper, application is a little different. I am a firm believer in training and eating to grow while on a heavy cycle. Taking DNP while cycling will certainly help keep you leaner. It will also make you weaker, uncomfortable, and more quick to tire from a workout. Obviously not a good idea while kicking ass in the gym and a complete waste of gear if you ask me.

SS

[sassy69]

A consideration w/ DNP is the extreme stress it puts on your system (ref the whole pile of supps SS lists above), is the additional stress of anything else you put in your system or do while you're running a DNP cycle. If you're out partying, drinking, dancing when you're dehydrated from DNP, it is not a good thing. If you choose to run DNP it has to be respected, and your lifestyle needs to support your body while it is under this stress.

[Sistersteel]

A consideration w/ DNP is the extreme stress it puts on your system (ref the whole pile of supps SS lists above), is the additional stress of anything else you put in your system or do while you're running a DNP cycle. If you're out partying, drinking, dancing when you're dehydrated from DNP, it is not a good thing. If you choose to run DNP it has to be respected, and your lifestyle needs to support your body while it is under this stress.

Precisely. Please feel free to add to this thread, sass, as you see fit. The more thorough we can be, the easier it will make our lives anytime we have a legitimate concern to address. I would like this to be a one stop, all inclusive write up on DNP that will serve as an educational read to everyone before we offer any advice. Better to educate people first rather than feel obligated to go through a list of disclaimers every time we need to answer a simple question.

[Gunz]

Conclusion


Currently, DNP is the most powerful weapon against fat loss in the bodybuilder's arsenal; however, this does not necessarily mean that it is right for everyone or is by any means safe. The possibility also exists that PGF2 may be better for some people, particularly when taking the fact that it may kill fat cells into consideration. However, the guidelines given here will allow the user unrivaled fat loss, and will do so quite safely provided that precautionary measures are taken.

I personally do NOT condone the use of DNP for any reason. The risks and dangers far outweigh the benefits. Comparable or better results can be achieved with proper diet, training and cardio. Quick fixes always come with a hefty price.

Thanks for the very thorough explanation. Scares the S*!?T out of me!!

Now can you explain what PGF2 as referenced above is, please?