When Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) entered the market for the first time, there was a lot of skepticism on whether they were as incredible as some people claimed. These compounds were introduced in the bodybuilding industry after years of using aggressive steroids. These substances caused a lot of adverse reaction, but due to the lack of a viable alternative, bodybuilders had no choice but to use steroids anyway.
When a new class of drugs came and started claiming to offer the same benefits with no complications, the deal seemed too good to be true. Fast forward a few years and almost everyone had jumped the AAS ship and joined the SARMs bandwagon. The simple reason for that is because SARMs lived up to all the hype.
The funny thing is that SARMs were never intended to be bodybuilding compounds. These compounds were developed to help with various health conditions such as muscle wasting, bone degenerating disorders, etc. In developing the compounds that will combat muscle wasting conditions, scientists ended up with remarkable substances that don’t just prevent muscle loss but promote the growth of muscle and bone tissue. Ligandrol LGD 4033 is one of such substances.
What is Ligandrol (LGD 4033)?
Ligandrol or LGD 4033 is a very popular Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator. LGD 4033 is the strongest non-steroidal SARM consumed orally. This compound is not just useful to athletes due to its compelling nature but is also a favorite because of its exceptional bioavailability. Users of Ligandrol will see results much faster because the compound is quickly absorbed into one’s system moving to all the necessary remote locations in the body.
Ligandrol is currently the best supplement usable to any athlete looking to reduce body fat, boost lean muscle mass and to recomp. Medically, studies are underway to investigate the compound’s ability to treat age-related muscle loss, muscle wasting due to acute or chronic diseases, cancer and osteoporosis.
Ligandrol is one of the recently developed SARMs in the market today. This means that it is not the most studied SARM you can get, but some people are still using it. In fact, Ligandrol and all the other SARMs are still categorized as investigational new drugs. This means that the drug is still not permitted for human consumption. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) no government has ever been able to impose complete control of what its citizens consume. If you are going to go out of your way and break the law to use Ligandrol, it’s only fair that you learn everything there is to know about the compound, wouldn’t you agree?
Ligandrol Review
LGD 4033 Ligandrol is under the development and research of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. This company is responsible for developing different types of compounds, and they are also behind the development of another more popular SARM known as Ligandrol or LGD-4033.
It should be noted that Ligandrol LGD4033 are completely different compounds. Their chemical structures are almost the same but “almost” is everything it takes to make all the difference when it comes to science. The similarities of these two compounds mean that they target the same androgen receptors in the body, but the slight difference enables LGD 4033 to deliver dry results.
This may come as both a good or bad thing depending on the cycle you are running and the results you are looking for. For instance, if I am entering a cutting phase and I have to choose between LGD-3033 and Ligandrol LGD-4033, I will pick the former due to the dry results that it delivers. The dryness means that after cutting body fat, there won’t be any fluids standing between me and the perfect muscle definition that cutting cycles are supposed to achieve.
If it were a bulking cycle, I would probably choose LGD-4033 not just due to its fantastic muscle building capabilities but because it leaves slight fluids which are crucial when you are hitting the gym on a daily basis putting on pound after pound of muscle. It’ll be fundamental in protecting me from injuries.
When it comes to the question of potency, there isn’t much to separate the two. Some people claim that LGD3033 may be a more powerful bulking compound as compared to Ligandrol LGD4033, but there is no evidence to support that. Based on the animal studies available and user experience, it’s safe to say that the difference in potency of the two compounds is very minimal if at all it exists.
How Does Ligandrol Work?
Like many other SARMs, Ligandrol binds to the androgen receptors activating them to enhance anabolic activities which selectively affects bones and muscles. It thereby helps to promote the growth of muscle mass and bone density delivering results almost similar to ones from steroids except it doesn’t have any adverse effects.
Clinical Trials
Ligandrol has been subjected to two distinct studies all of which were aimed at understanding the link between this compound and bone and muscle growth.
Phase I
The first trial phase investigated the effects of Ligandrol on muscle strength and lean body mass. This study involved 76 healthy male subjects that were supplemented with 0.1mg, 0.3mg or 1mg of Ligandrol for 21 days. At the end of this period, the effects of Ligandrol were observed through muscle strength, change in lean body mass, sex hormones, and stair-climbing power. The outcomes were astonishing because the compound not only showed its capability to improve lean body mass and strength, but it did so with zero cases of adverse effects being reported!
Phase II
The second ongoing clinical phase of Ligandrol is spearhead by the Vikings Pharmaceuticals. This phase is more interested in establishing the potential benefits of LGD 4033 in patients that have undergone hip fracture surgery. Ligandrol’s ability to boost bone mineral density is one of the reasons behind this study. If the compound is active enough to improve bone density, then chances of it helping individuals recovering from hip fractures are very high, and that’s what the study seeks to prove. This SARM could, therefore, be an ideal choice for the elderly where falls and hip fractures are more prevalent.
Benefits of Ligandrol
By definition, all SARMs work by selectively interacting with some of the androgen receptors found in the body. Our bodies contain millions of cells, and a big majority of them have androgen receptors. A compound that stimulates the androgen receptors located in different cells will have devastating effects on the user. This is the biggest undoing of anabolic androgenic steroids.
The selectivity of SARMs such as Ligandrol allows them to deal with the androgen receptors that are located in muscle and bone tissues. The compound may also go a step further to stimulate some of the androgen receptors found in adipose.
That’s how LGD-4033 Ligandrol works to deliver the following benefits:
Fat loss
Ligandrol promotes fat loss in some ways. It is believed that this compound promotes metabolism. A high metabolic rate allows your body to burn more fat cells. As a result, more of the stubborn adipose blocking your muscles will be broken down.
Ligandrol will also stimulate your body to utilize fat cells as a source of energy. More fat cells will be broken down to fuel your body, and this will also lead to fat loss.
It’s important to know that when Ligandrol stimulates your body to use fat cells as a source of energy, it does not affect the muscle cells. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your muscles mass getting lost due to using Ligandrol.
Increasing lean muscle mass
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is a very popular compound in terms of building muscles. The SARM is widely used in bulking cycles all around the world which goes a long way to show just how brilliant it is for the said function.
Ligandrol has almost the same chemical structure as Ligandrol except for the modification which allows it to deliver dry results. Ligandrol can, therefore, be used in building muscle mass. A good number of bodybuilders are already using this substance for bulking.
Once in your body, Ligandrol stimulates muscle growth by binding to the androgen receptors of your muscle tissues. This creates an anabolic surrounding ideal for muscle growth. It also does a fantastic job of improving nitrogen retention in the muscles. When more nitrogen is present in your muscle tissue, the growth of new muscle cells isn’t just possible, but it happens at a much faster rate. Actually, Ligandrol users have reported noticeable changes in muscle fullness after just a few days of using the substance which is much faster as compared to the other SARMs that will take a couple of weeks before you start seeing some changes.
Enhances strength and stamina
At the end of the 21-day study, Stair-climbing power had increased dramatically in all the subjects especially the ones who had received higher dosages of Ligandrol. The users were also able to withstand more physical activities that were initially problematic to undertake. Going through various user reviews online you will also see testimonies on how taking Ligandrol has helped increase endurance among cyclists and other athletes.
Exclusively targets bone and muscle tissues
This is not one of those supplements that will end up affecting your prostate and other organs. When you use Ligandrol as directed, the compound will selectively target bone and muscle tissues delivering only the needed outcomes. Perhaps this is why trials are trying to investigate its benefits in older people with osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and caxechia.
Promotes mental health
Mental health is vital to any bodybuilder out there. When you are mentally healthy gym sessions are likely to be more productive allowing you to enjoy better and faster results. Users of Ligandrol have reported how positive using the compound makes them feel and how they’ve been able to exploit this well-being positively.
Prevents muscle wasting
Muscle wasting has been a notorious problem, especially among cancer patients. The initial studies of this compound showed promising results on its ability to preserve lean muscle mass and that why Vikings Pharmaceuticals are studying how well it can prevent muscle wasting and how to best use it for this purpose.
Could be beneficial to hip fracture patients
The older population is the most affected by hip fractures. Lean muscle mass in this populace is much lower which makes healing of such fractures a problem. LGD’s ability to improve lean muscle mass and bone mineral density make it an ideal treatment alternative to hip fractures.
Ligandrol Cycle
Ligandrol cycles vary depending on various factors. You can use this SARM for a slightly more extended period if your tolerability is excellent. On the other hand, individuals with low tolerability should stick with short cycles while new users should start with the shortest cycles and extend them only if they are reacting well to the substance.
The length of Ligandrol cycles will also vary depending on the phase you are in. For instance, Ligandrol bulking cycles are usually longer as compared to cutting cycles.
Stacking Ligandrol with other compounds may also affect the length of the cycle.
With that said, the recommended cycle in cutting phases should be between 6 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, it can be used in bulking for 8 to 10 weeks.
Each cycle of Ligandrol should be followed with PCT. Some people will argue that there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that it affects testosterone production but would you rather risk your sex life and all the gains you’ve racked up or take the necessary precaution and run PCT? After all, the chemical structure of SARMs seems to show that they all affect testosterone production so it is difficult to see why Ligandrol won’t.
Ligandrol Dosage
The benefits of Ligandrol and the duration it takes to experience them is usually influenced by the doses one takes. Unfortunately, you cannot just take the highest doses possible to increase the impact of the benefits as this will also increase the risk of side effects. That’s why all users need to experiment on different doses to get one that works optimally for them.
By experimenting, I mean starting the doses at the lowest point possible and increasing them gradually until you reach your sweet spot, i.e. the point where you are witnessing the best results with no or minimal side effects.
Most people have seen Ligandrol results with just 3-10 mg daily dosages. Users can expect to notice benefits after only two weeks, and these will get even better as you continue using the supplement. After three months tolerance to the drug may rise which could affect the results, and that’s another reason why PCT is recommended.
For men, 10 mg daily is the maximum dosage that you should never cross. Women, on the other hand, should never exceed 5mg daily. Female users should also know that excessive usage of Ligandrol can result in masculine effects and that’s why they should not overdose it.
To reduce body fat, the recommended dosages will vary from 15 to 20 mg/day. For building lean muscle mass, take between 20 to 30 mg/day.
Bodybuilding Uses of Ligandrol
Cutting
Ligandrol is a remarkable SARM for cutting. This compound shreds the excess fat while preserving all your gains. The fact that it delivers dry results makes it an even more exciting option because you’ll be left with better muscle definition.
In cutting, some people use 15-20 mg/day of Ligandrol for 6-8 weeks. You can also stack it with Cardarine (GW501516).
Recomping
Ligandrol is also a good option for everyone who is looking to build lean muscle mass while burning fat. Recomposition is very important in putting the final touches to your physique. Most SARMs fail in this purpose either because they do not shred as much fat as is needed or because they cause water retention which affects the final results. Ligandrol is the perfect solution to all that.
For body recomposition, you can use between 20-30 mg/day for 8-10 weeks.
Bulking
Ligandrol can also be used in bulking cycles. The good thing about using LGD 4033 in your bulking cycle is that there won’t be a lot of water retention left that could stand between you and your muscles.
To get the best muscle building results here, you should stack it with other SARMs such as Ligandrol.
Side Effects of Ligandrol
All SARMs come with some side effects. Some vendors will try to convince you that their products come with zero side effects, but that is never true. These substances are potent. They help your body to go beyond its usual limitations and increase muscle mass in record time and hence there is always a possibility that one may experience some adverse reactions. What may make the difference is if you avoid taking these compounds in excess. That way, you reduce the risk of complications significantly.
With that in mind, the following are some of the common side effects of Ligandrol:
Testosterone suppression
The powerful nature of Ligandrol increases the risk of testosterone suppression significantly. The compound will reduce the production of natural testosterone, and this may lead to other unpleasant effects. For instance, when your t-levels are really low, your sex drive will drop, and you may also experience some erectile issues. Low levels of testosterone will also be very problematic once you stop using Ligandrol. Other than facilitating sexual functions, testosterone is also responsible for maintaining an anabolic environment in the body.
So, when the levels of testosterone are low after you stop using Ligandrol, there won’t be enough anabolism to maintain the gains. As a result, your lean muscle mass will start to drop gradually with every passing week, and if you don’t do anything to counter the effect, all the gains will be replaced with fat. This explains why old people (whose testosterone levels are low) have more body fat than muscles.
To deal with suppression, Ligandrol users must run post cycle therapy after every cycle.
Gynecomastia
Gyno is also a possibility when you’re using Ligandrol. As it affects testosterone production, it may also cause the levels of the other sex hormone, estrogen, to go up. An increase in estrogen results in slight fat accumulation in the breasts leading to the infamous “man boobs.” Gynecomastia is more than capable of messing your final outlook. You can use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimistane to combat the issue.
Ligandrol may also result in minor side effects such as nausea, headache, and minor digestive issues. These effects are very rare though, and hence some people can successfully use it without experiencing them. If you do run into these effects, then they should disappear after some time without the use of any medications. That’s because some of the effects are your body’s response to the presence of a new chemical in your body. Once your system gets acclimated to the substance, the effects will disappear.
In the event that you experience the above and other effects for an extended period while taking Ligandrol LGD 4033 in low doses, the best course of action is to stop taking it altogether. Cases of individuals reacting negatively to performance-enhancing drugs are not very rare. Your body can reject the substance, and you won’t have much to do other than looking for other alternatives.
Another issue with LGD 4033 is that it is under-researched. In our research, we couldn’t come across any human trials involving the substance. There are no enough animal studies to explain the effects of the SARM either fully. With such a profile, it is almost impossible to predict what using LGD 4033 may do to you in the long run. Therefore, it’s possible that after two years or so of using Ligandrol you will come across new types of side effects that are still unknown at the moment.
Is Ligandrol legal?
Ligandrol is categorized as an investigational new drug. This means that it is still being investigated for its potential effects in humans. It is, therefore, not available for human consumption.
Due to loopholes in the U.S laws, you can still buy it as a research chemical from different research companies in the country. Possessing the drug shouldn’t be illegal if you buy it under such basis.
Guys who are in countries where the rules are stricter can still get the substance in the black market. Make sure that you are very keen on the store you end up sourcing your Ligandrol from if you decide to go down this path. Remember that contaminated Ligandrol can cause severe medical complications.
As is the case with all other SARMs, it is banned in professional sports. SARMs are in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.
How to use Ligandrol?
Bulking – You should use Ligandrol with a protein-rich diet if you are using it for bulking.
Cutting – Use 3-5 mg of LGD 4033 daily for eight weeks if you want to add lean body mass while reducing body fat. Using it in a triple pack with S-4 and GW-501516 makes it even more useful for cutting.
Recomping – Use Ligandrol with cardarine and GW-501516 for excellent recomp results. The dosage here should be 5-8 mg daily for eight weeks.
Conclusion
Ligandrol is a fantastic bodybuilding compound with great potential. Unfortunately, trials on it started just recently, and hence a lot of details remain unknown. Also, it is quite challenging to come by which means that you’re probably going to end up settling for Ligandrol which will deliver the same effects but then there will be some water retention.
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