Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

Intro

Anabolicum!

Well, if that name doesn’t sum it up for you, then what will?

Also called LGD-4033 or Ligandrol, this compound has been under the spotlight on more than one occasion.

The Studies

The first time it earned itself a spot in the press was when it reached Phase 1 of human clinical trials and the results were spectacular to say the least.

70 healthy individuals were put on it and randomized with placebo. They were able to gain lean muscle mass without the slightest variation in the Prostate Specific Antigen levels. More on this in a bit.

“LGD-4033 is a potentially best-in-class molecule in the muscle loss/wasting therapeutic arena, an area of medicine that is desperately in need of new medicines,” said Shehzad Basaria, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Androgen Clinical Research Unit at Boston University School of Medicine and the co-principal investigator of the LGD-4033 Phase I multiple ascending dose study.

Will Grier

A few years later, a Florida quarterback by the name of Will Grier, miraculously gained 43 lbs. of rock hard muscle in a year. Turns out he had a special affinity for LGD-4033, which he called an ‘Over the counter’ supplement in a press conference.

The poor bloke was banned for a year.

But any press is good press, particularly for SARMS.

Everybody, including SARMS buffs, naysayers, skeptics and the average gym rat had read and seen enough.

The insane muscle gain apart, Will Grier was invincible on the field. 12 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a whopping 1202 yards, all in the first half of the season.

LGD-4033 or Anabolicum is for real.

What is LGD-4033?

LGD-4033 or Ligandrol or Anabolicum is a research chemical developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals for its potential therapeutic applications in preventing muscle wasting caused due to cancer, increasing diminished bone density due to osteoporosis and certain medications, and in preventing muscle loss due to aging.

It is a selective androgenic receptor modulator or SARM that binds to androgen receptors in the muscle and bone tissue. Androgen receptors in the prostate, the reproductive system and the endocrine system are left untouched.

Eventually, Viking took over the research. And in some places, the compound may be available under a new name, VK5211.

Along with Ostarine or MK-2866, it happens to be the most popular SARM in the bodybuilding circuit.

In fact, it is considered by many as the only SARM that beginners must use in their first cycle.

That’s because it is very well tolerated, has excellent bioavailability and gives you great results that are comparable to the results achieved with a standalone Testosterone Enanthate steroid cycle.

How does Ligandrol work in the body?

LGD-4033 shows great affinity for selective androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue that it binds to.

It does not affect the liver or the sebaceous glands.

By mimicking the effect of androgens in these receptors, Ligandrol helps the user gain lean muscle, gain strength, lose fat, recover faster from injury and there’s a great improvement in the overall quality of life.

While the increased muscle mass is desirable for a bodybuilder or a gym buff, the increased strength and enhanced recovery from injury makes it an athlete’s delight.

LGD-4033 is on the WADA banned substances list though. So, if you are into professional sport, its long half-life and detection time might be a concern.

Not to mention that gaining up to 40 lbs. a year will ruffle a few feathers.

What are the effects of LGD-4033?

A lot of people compare the effects of LGD 4033 to that of testosterone.

But that’s a broad brush to paint with.

The fact is that LGD4033 can be used to achieve just about any bodybuilding goal, including bulking, cutting and recomposition.

It has a well-rounded profile, pairs beautifully with other SARMS and also compliments just about any Anabolic Steroid cycle.

Here’s how you can use it for various bodybuilding goals.

Body Recomposition:

You can club Ligandrol with Cardarine for body recomposition. Think of an AAS stack that has Test-E as the base along with Anavar and Masteron. It will give you lean, hard muscles that look ribbed with minimum water retention.The enhanced fat burning will allow you to get the perfect, competition-ready look.

Bulking:

LGD 4033 works amazingly well in a bulking cycle and you don’t even need to stack it with any other SARM. Some users have stacked it with Testolone. But that would lead to some amount of water retention. But there won’t be any bloating. So, you can also use it as a standalone SARM. Also, get ready for the craziest pumps that you have ever experienced.

Cutting:

Once again, during a cutting cycle, the muscle loss preventive action of LGD4033 is enough to retain the gains that you’ve made. But, if you are on a severe calorie restrictive diet and are looking for a little extra help, then stack it with Cardarine.

Recovery and overall well-being:

Like most other SARMS, LGD 4033 has a positive effect on your joints, ligaments and tendons. You will recover faster even after vigorous exercise session with minimum stress on your joints. Also, users report an improvement in mood, a consistent flow of energy and improved focus while on ligandrol.

How to use LGD-4033?

If you are on a body recomposition cycle, even a low dose of 10mg/day will give you great results. It is recommended that you stick to a 4-6 weeks cycle at best because the body tends to build a tolerance towards it after 6-weeks.

For bodybuilders looking to bulk up, even a 25mg/day dose is well tolerated with minimal risk of sides. Limit it to a 4-week cycle for best results with a minimal risk of suppression.

Why there are anecdotal reports of users who have used up to 40mg/day with zero sides. But we wouldn’t recommend going that high unless it’s your fourth or fifth cycle with Ligandrol.

What are the side effects of LGD-4033?

Even at 22mg/day, LGD-4033 produced very little side effects at short term dosing.

The side effects that were experienced were very mild and stopped when dosage was discontinued.

Most users reported a dry mouth while a few experienced mild headaches.

However, even at the lowest dose of 1mg/day, it caused mild suppression.

This indicates that at high doses and long durations (40mg/day for 8-weeks), it might shut you down partially, requiring a full-fledged PCT.

Unlike exogenous testosterone, Ligandrol does not aromatize and there will be no estrogen related sides.

No baldness, no liver toxicity, no swollen prostate either.

LGD-4033 was safe and well tolerated at all doses following daily oral administration for three weeks in young healthy males

No clinically significant dose-related adverse events were reported

No clinically significant changes in liver function tests, PSA, hematocrit or ECG were seen

To sum it up

LGD-4033 or Ligandrol is one of the safest SARMS in the market currently that is suitable for any bodybuilding or fitness goal.

However, its long term effects remain unknown.

Use it safely in the short term and you should be able to make some great gains with zero side effects.