2,4-Dinitrophenol, or otherwise known simply as DNP is a chemical that is used primarily as a pesticide for industrial settings. Among the bodybuilding & fitness circle however, DNP also has a notorious reputation for being arguably the most potent fat burning substance known to man thus far. Though the scientific mechanism behind its effect on the human body is a little complicated to explain, DNP essentially causes a substantial increase in one’s metabolic rate – causing fat loss for the user. The strength of its effects are largely dose dependent, with “effective” doses ranging anywhere between 200 to 600 milligrams. DNP was effective enough in causing fat loss that it was actually used as an ingredient in diet pills during the start of the 20th century.

Now, what is the catch to all this? Later on as people were being treated with diet pills containing DNP, case studies were reporting that users were experiencing serious side effects – cataract growth, rapid fatigue & intense sweating, and even death for those who overdosed on the product. Throughout the 20th century until today, there have been numerous documented reports of individuals overdosing on DNP – either intentionally or accidentally. As such, DNP is deemed as not suitable for human use and in the United States it is illegal to possess or use DNP for human consumption.

Also, one more thing…..THE SHIT IS USED FOR EXPLOSIVES AND COMBUSTS WHEN YOU LIGHT IT ON FIRE.

THAT SHIT WAS LIT!!! Wait, so why the fuck do people knowingly take a substance that EXPLODES when it’s heated up? If you overdose on DNP, you WILL die and there is no antidote or known medical procedure to reverse the effects of an overdose. So, if it’s that stupid for anyone to take, why am I writing an article about it?

Actually, I didn’t write this piece for clickbait. In early 2016, a bodybuilder by the name of Anthony Hughes (who goes by the nickname “Dr. Tony Huge”) started a YouTube channel called “Enhanced Athlete” which features him and his bodybuilding buddies discussing their use of steroids, performance enhancing drugs, and fanatical use of DNP all while traveling throughout Asia & banging marginally attractive Asian hookers.

To be honest, I like watching his videos as they’re very entertaining and Tony is a funny guy to watch on camera. He also happens to be an attorney & owns a successful bankruptcy law firm based out of Sacramento, California – he’s a smart guy. That being said, Tony Huge’s antics have gone viral all over the internet and has a phenomenal fanbase of new followers. He has done so well for himself that Enhanced Athlete is now a web storefront for purchasing (supposedly real) performance enhancing drugs, research peptides, and DNP. Guess what his best seller is, folks! Hint: it’s not the MK-2866.

There are teenagers and inexperienced lifters who are enamored with Tony Huge’s glorified use of performance enhancing drugs, along with constant video logs of his DNP usage. Oftentimes, he’s sneaking in cheat snacks during his travels and bragging maintaining a bodyfat of 8-10% while running a cycle of DNP. Steroids, fast cars, international travel and a harem of Filipino women that are probably distantly related to me – how can you not resist the allure of all that? Well folks, there are literally hundreds of people ordering DNP through Enhanced Athlete and probably a few hundred more being convinced to experiment with it with his continual video uploads.

Maybe you’ve run across Enhanced Athlete and are thinking of starting your first DNP cycle for some rapid fat loss. Despite all the warnings you’ve read and have been given, you believe that you can run it safely by beginning your dosage at 200 mg and slowly ramp up the dose afterwards. Honestly, that kind of approach is pretty logical and people on the internet come off as being over-reactive to things like PED usage. So, here’s your time’s worth for reading this page so far:

I am friends with and personally know a powerlifter who recently ran a 3 week cycle of DNP at 250 mg throughout the entire duration. He has experience with PEDs overall and is a pretty smart guy when it comes to running protocols. He’s also a decent lifter with numbers of around 530/385/565 at 198. Not quite an elite level lifter, but not bad either. Here’s his feedback throughout those 3 weeks, both good and bad:

Feeling “flat” and fatigued

Constantly tired and feeling like shit throughout the day

Unproductive training sessions

Loss of strength

Great fat loss

Strength came back some time after discontinuing use

If were pressed for time and had only X amount of days to be featured on a magazine shoot, then would MAYBE consider running DNP again. Otherwise, running an alternative fat burner while following a sound diet plan has him feeling much better overall with almost the same fat loss results afterwards

The worst drug to use when training for size and strength

When asked if he would rather use Clenbuterol in favor of DNP, it was agreed that Clen would be a much more useful fat burner for him as it still allows for solid training sessions and doesn’t cause any significant decrease in quality of life.

While I have no experience in using DNP, I’ve never known of a top level powerlifter who advocated the use of it. While DNP can theoretically be taken “safely”, it’s simply too dangerous to use and isn’t necessary in achieving fat loss. Just about anyone can lose fat by following a strict diet plan and training hard. Stimulants & other fat burners can aid in the process of losing weight, but nothing beats having some discipline and being a little patient for results to happen. DNP works, but it’s not worth your health and possibly your life if you mishandle your dosage of it.

If this article dissuades even 1 person from using DNP, then it was worth writing for you guys and gals. Stay safe my friends! TRAIN LIKE A MUSCLEBEAR, EAT LIKE A MUSCLEBEAR, GET STRONG AND FUCKING JACKED LIKE A MUSCLEBEAR! Just remember, MUSCLEBEAR doesn’t pop powders that can explode & potentially cause an airplane to crash. Neither should you.

Jacob Rothenberg

jacob@themusclebear.com