Often referred to as LGD-4033 – Ligandrol – is a popular selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) which delivers similar effects to anabolic steroids.
Of course, much like many other selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), LGD4033 wasn’t designed for the bodybuilding community. Instead, LGD-4033 and other SARMs were developed to treat conditions such as osteoporosis.
So, how have they ended up in a bodybuilder’s toolkit, to increase lean muscle mass and improve body composition? We take a look.
Here’s everything you need to know about LGD4033 and its effects.
What are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)?
Similar to anabolic steroids, SARMs are often marketed as a cutting edge performance enhancer – used by athletes and bodybuilders around the world. However, despite their increase in popularity, SARMs (alongside anabolic steroids) have been prohibited in a competitive setting by The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for some time.
This means, if you’re looking to compete, the use of SARMs such as LGD 4033 is banned.
Since SARMs like LGD-4033 have anabolic cellular activity, they are incredibly appealing to healthy young men looking to gain lean body mass and improve their body composition.
Are they safe? Well, we wouldn’t advise their use, put it that way. But let’s see what SARMs such as LGD-4033 can really do, and whether they’re really all they’re cracked up to be.
What does LGD4033 really do?
A particularly potent SARM, LGD 4033 (also known as Ligandrol) is commonly used by weightlifters looking to bulk up and gain muscle mass. By strongly binding to androgen receptors – much like anabolic steroids – gaining muscle mass is made a lot easier on LGD4033.
However, unlike anabolic steroids, LGD 4033 is considered a milder drug on the prostate – upping their appeal to eager lifters. This means that the androgenic effects of testosterone will not take place with LGD4033 – helping to prevent prostate hyperplasia.
Also Read: Check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to SARMs
Please note: LGD-4033 is considered a ‘research compound’, with very little research and currently no FDA approval for human use for those seeking muscle strength and muscle building results.
So, what is LGD-4033 really used for? – Muscle wasting. Yep, this popular SARM was originally designed to treat patients with muscle wastage conditions. When its power for increasing muscle mass came to light, however, it was unsurprisingly picked up by bodybuilders.
Protein synthesis – Building muscle mass
In order to build muscle mass, protein synthesis needs to occur. Muscle protein breakdown is the opposing process of breaking down muscle tissue. When muscle protein synthesis exceeds muscle protein breakdown, muscle growth occurs.
What are the benefits of LGD-4033?
According to clinical research, LGD-4033 has shown to be one of the most effective selective androgen receptor modulators for stimulating muscle growth. At a moderate LGD 4033 dosage, it has been said to be relatively well-tolerated by users, too.
But why have SARMs like LGD-4033 become so popular?
Many bodybuilders believe that LGD4033 and other SARMs are far safer than your typical anabolic steroids. However, there isn’t quite enough research in this area to back up these claims of enhancing muscle mass safely.
Nevertheless, here’s what users are reporting after using LGD 4033.
LGD 4033 results
Based on clinical research and user findings, LGD 4033 may offer the following benefits and results.
Increased lean body mass
There’s no real denying that LGD-4033 has been shown to be effective in increasing lean muscle mass and strength. Even at a low LGD 4033 dosage, it has shown to effectively accelerate muscle growth.
With some users reporting results after just one week, it would seem that even a low LGD 4033 dosage can be effective in boosting lean muscle mass.
Also Read: Ligandrol side effects: LGD-4033 Benefits, Uses, Dosage (SARMS)
It’s important to remember, however, that a SARM such as LGD-4033 needs to be paried with a proper nutrition plan and workout routine.
Enhanced recovery
In order to build lean muscle mass, your recovery time plays a crucial role in building muscle and your ability to hit the gym again.
SARMs – such as LGD4033 are said to accelerate recovery time and reduce soreness, repairing muscle fibers a lot faster to help increase lean muscle mass growth.
Intensified workout performance
As well as its power to boost muscle strength and increase lean mass, LGD-4033 can also boost your workout performance, too. Not only will your training be more intense, but you’ll also be able to lift heavier and squeeze in those extra reps.
It’s no surprise that LGD-4033 is considered one of the best SARMs for a bulking cycle.
What’s the correct LGD 4033 dosage?
It’s important to understand the right dosage of LGD 4033, as this selective androgen receptor modulator certainly needs to be taken seriously.
According to some user research, the best dosage of LGD-4033 sits between 5 and 10mg per day. Even at a minimal 1.0mg a day, LGD 4033 has shown to enhance muscle growth.
However, whichever dosage of LGD 4033 you decide, it’s important to be consistent with the amount. This will allow you to maintain stable levels in your system.
LGD 4033 is taken via oral administration.
LGD 4033 half life
We’ve talked about half life before, but incase you’re unsure, half life refers to the time that a specific compound will stay active in your system.
LGD 4033 half life sits between 24 and 36 hours.
But before we get too carried away with the anabolic effects of LGD 4033, let’s talk about the potential side effects.
With higher doses and repeated usage of LGD4033, it’s safe to assume the window of detectability will be even longer. If you’re competing in professional sports, LGD-4033 is best avoided altogether, as The World Anti-Doping Agency has placed Ligandrol on their list of prohibited substances.
LGD4033 side effects – Is it worth it?
While LGD 4033 may be able to stimulate muscle growth, much like anabolic steroids, this popular SARM does come with potential side effects. These can include:
Negative effects on HGL (Good) cholesterol
HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) is often referred to as the “good” cholesterol in our bodies. Good levels of HDL cholesterol can help to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
But unfortunately, LGD 4033 has the potential to negatively affect HDL cholesterol, with some research showing a 40% reduction in a matter of just three weeks, when using a 1mg per day dosage. This means that this negative impact could be heightened further on a higher dosage of LGD-4033.
Testosterone suppression
Despite not quite being the same as typical bodybuilding steroids, LGD 4033 does have the power to suppress your natural testosterone production. This is due to its aggressive binding to the androgen receptors.
As one of the most potent SARMs on the market, the anabolic effects of LGD-4033 also make it one of the worst for testosterone suppression.
This means that after your cycle, it’s crucial to go into post cycle therapy in order to reinstate your natural testosterone production. During your cycle of LGD 4033, this type of selective androgen receptor modulator encourages the production of testosterone, which means your body’s natural testosterone production stops – often struggling to start once more without post cycle therapy.
While those muscle gains may seem worthwhile, free testosterone suppression is certainly best avoided.
Liver toxicity
Both SARMs and steroids can be pretty toxic to your liver, with slower clearing in the liver due to them being more hepatotoxic. These potential adverse effects are pretty scary if you ask us…
Hair loss
Yep, as well as potentially causing damage to your liver, SARMs such as LGD 4033 can also result in losing hair and hair recession. I mean, are the gains really worth it for hair loss? Erm, no, thank you.
LGD 4033 has the power to increase DHT levels (dihydrotestosterone), which is consider the follicle stimulating hormone, with excessive levels causing hair loss and androgenic alopecia.
Water retention and gynecomastia (dreaded man boobs)
In theory, LGD 4033 side effects shouldn’t include estrogenic side effects, as it does not aromatize or directly stimulate estrogen receptors. However, this popular SARM does compete with your body’s normal testosterone levels for binding to the androgen receptors.
This often means that LGD 4033’s higher affinity results in your body’s natural testosterone levels losing this battle. As a result of this, it can encourage your estrogen levels to increase, leading to water retention/bloating/gynecomastia.
Other side effects of LGD-4033
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Respiratory tract infections
- Muscle pain
Common side effects of steroids and SARMs
- Acne
- Insomnia
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Short term aggression
- Kidney damage
The importance of post cycle therapy
Since LGD-4033 is a pretty potent SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator), it’s important to follow up your bulking cycle with PCT in order to encourage your natural testosterone levels to return to normal.
If you ask us, the ‘positive effects’ of LGD4033 aren’t really worth the side effects, especially with very few clinical studies and clinical research in this area.
Is LGD-4033 safe?
The question is, is any SARM or steriod safe? Sure, it may support you in building muscle mass, but SARMs like LGD 4033 come with their own set of risks, too.
Also Read: Our 100% legal and safe SARMs alternatives
From affecting your normal levels of total testosterone, to negatively impacting your HDL cholesterol, it comes as no surprise that LGD 4033 and other SARMS have been banned in professional sports.
Even at a lower dose, users can expect some serious muscle size, but the many benefits are quickly outweighed by its side effects and impact on your testosterone levels.
Our conclusion of LGD 4033
It would seem that LGD 4033 is well known for increased muscle mass, helping users to gain muscle in a short amount of time. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s safe.
It may be tempting for bodybuilders to use Ligandrol LGD 4033, especially during a bulking cycle for packing on muscle mass, but since it’s an illegal and largely untested substance, there may be a huge amount of long term effects we simply don’t know about yet.
Why not choose a safer alternative to LGD-4033?
If you’re looking to build muscle, why not experience the positive effects of Ligandrol (LGD 4033) the SAFE way?
We have carefully developed a safe and natural alternative to LGD 4033 – LIGABULK – supporting extreme muscle mass gains, enhanced strength and reduced recovery time. Why build muscle any other way?
