Cardarine, otherwise known as its research name GW501516, is a research chemical that has garnered the eye of many athletes around the globe as an alternative to anabolic steroids.
While it’s often lumped in with SARMs, Cardarine isn’t technically a SARM—it’s a PPARδ receptor agonist, developed to improve cardiovascular health in those suffering from diseases.
Recently however, many body builders and athletes have been using GW501516 to shred fat, improve lipid profile, and enhance performance—does it work, though?
In this article, we’ll cover the results, dosage, cycle guidelines, and take a look at what the clinical research has to say about Cardarine so far.
What is Cardarine? (GW501516)
Cardarine GW501516 is often placed in the group of SARMs, although this isn’t entirely accurate—while Cardarine may be similar to SARMs, it is not a SARM.
Cardarine, sometimes known by its research chemical name GW-501516, is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist that was initially developed to help treat metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. [R]
Recreational users soon discovered that GW501516 could also be used to drastically increase endurance, build muscle mass, and help burn fat faster, though.
In fact, according to most cycle logs and anecdotal evidence, Cardarine can be used as a powerful cutting agent, to lose fat rapidly, and to seriously improve endurance levels.
Overview of Pros & Cons
Before we look at the various doses, cycles, stacks, and effects that Cardarine has, let’s first give a quick overview of this performance enhancing drug.
Pros:
- Enhance Muscle Endurance
- Quickly Accelerate Fat Loss
- Increase Energy Levels
- Promote Lean Muscle Gain
- Improve Insulin Sensitivity
- Healthier Blood Lipid Profile
Cons:
- Not Entirely Risk Free
- More Research Should Be Done
- Increased Rate of Cell Death
- High Doses May Increase Cancer Risk
The biggest concern many people have with Cardarine is its potential to cause cancer, but as we’ll explore later in this article, the study which came to this conclusion gave lab mice an incredibly high dosage that almost no human would ever take, for a very long period of time. [R]
All in all, Cardarine is a fascinating research substance which bodybuilders can use to keep muscle on a cut, promote fat burning, and more.
Is Cardarine Legal?
While researchers at the FDA have still not given this substance the “okay” for human consumption, Cardarine for sale is still 100% legal to buy and use.
Currently, this supplement is classified as a research chemical, meaning that people can buy it for “personal research” and it’s completely legal. There are exceptions, however.
If you are an athlete, keep in mind that the world anti doping agency has classified Cardarine as a banned substance, due to its ability to give athletes more energy, lean muscle mass, and better endurance, which gives anyone using it a huge advantage amongst others.
That being said, if you’re not an athlete, you don’t have to worry and can easily buy this compound online. Our recommended SARMs vendor is currently PureRawz—use the code “MD15” for 15% off.
How Does Cardarine Work?
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Shortly after ingestion, Cardarine works by binding to the PPAR Delta receptor, and signals the liver to draw energy from fatty acids. [R]
Typically, your body draws energy from blood sugars (glucose), however by switching the preferred source to fatty acids, burning fat is massively accelerated.
In fact, it isn’t uncommon for people using Cardarine for bodybuilding to report losing over 10-15 pounds from one 8-12 week cycle.
Unfortunately however, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, the same company that created Ligandrol, abandoned Cardarine research in 2007, so there isn’t very much clinical data regarding the fat burning effects of this substance.
It’s Not A SARM
One of the biggest misconceptions that a lot of people have, is that Cardarine is somehow a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator)—this is actually not the case.
Rather, it is something known as a PPARδ receptor agonist, which is a class of products currently under research for their potential cardiovascular health benefits.
PPARδ receptor agonists are mainly used for the treatment of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. They also increase fatty acid oxidation in the body, decreasing body fat. [R]
That explains why GW501516 is often sold alongside SARMs, and many bodybuilders find that stacking Cardarine with SARMs such as RAD 140 can help accelerate fat burning, and makes for a great cutting cycle.
Cardarine Benefits
While Cardarine GW 501516 hasn’t technically been approved for human usage, that doesn’t change the fact that this drug will drastically enhance physical performance. It’s a relatively safe and legal alternative to steroids, and when combined with a healthy diet, will build a hell of a physique.
It isn’t uncommon for users to report losing 10-15 pounds of fat from a 12 week cycle of Cardarine, even at a relatively low dose such as 10 mg.
Here are some benefits of GW-501516:
- Accelerated Fat Loss
- Enhanced Endurance
- Great For Weight Loss
- Improved Blood Lipid Levels
- Reduces Inflammation
- Improve Liver Disease
- Increased Muscle Mass
The most impressive benefit of GW501516, is its scientifically proven ability to enhance cardiovascular endurance in users. In fact, one study found that lab mice that took Cardarine increased endurance by over 200% more than placebo. [R]
Accelerated Fat Loss
Perhaps the biggest benefit of this supplement is its ability to rapidly accelerate fat burning in the human body (and in mice, too). Shortly after ingestion, Cardarine is absorbed into the blood stream, where it binds to PPAR Delta receptors, and signals them to use fats for fuel.
This can help increase energy expenditure, improve cardiovascular health, and can result in a lean, shredded physique—in fact, Cardarine is one of the best SARMs for shredding (even though it’s technically not a SARM).
Cardarine GW501516 enhances fat metabolism (fatty acid metabolism) which leads to rapidly shredding fat. Is it any wonder why those with an active lifestyle love taking Cardarine?
Enhanced Endurance
One of the greatest benefits of Cardarine is drastically increased stamina and endurance—it accomplishes this feat by changing the energy source that your body uses from carbohydrates to fats.
This leads to enhanced muscle endurance (both smooth muscle and skeletal muscles), as well as higher energy levels, better stamina, and much more.
Is it any wonder that GW501516 is considered one of the best legal steroids on the market right now? This supplement is amazing for bodybuilding.
Great For Cutting
Cardarine is one of my favorite supplements for bodybuilding, due to its ability to encourage lean muscle retention while also losing fat.
Studies show it does this by binding to PPAR Delta receptors, and then signaling the liver to use fats as fuel, rather than glucose in the blood.
Some researchers have theorized that this may add stress to the liver, but most anecdotal reports suggest Cardarine is not only safe, but extremely effective.
Improved Lipid Profile
One of the more surprising benefits of using GW501516 is that it can even help improve blood lipids, such as triglycerides and cholesterol.
In fact, according to studies, Cardarine, as well as other PPAR Delta receptor agonists, may lower blood lipids and prevent cardiovascular damage. [R]
A human study found that Cardarine increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol and decreased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in the subjects. [R]
Combine this with other studies that suggest it’s a potent lean muscle builder, and can improve recovery, and you’ve got yourself a wonder drug.
Suppressed Inflammation
Yet another sought-after benefit of Cardarine GW 501516 is suppressed inflammation.
In an animal study, Cardarine reduced inflammation in the arteries of mice, potentially preventing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. [R]
Cardarine also reduced inflammation in the kidney, liver, and skin, though all of these effects were observed in animal studies as well. [R] [R] [R]
Improved Liver Health
As if growing your muscle tissues and enhancing lean mass wasn’t enough, Cardarine GW 501516 has even been shown to help combat kidney disease and improve liver disease.
In clinical development, Cardarine GW 501516 was shown to help destroy degenerated liver cells. As if growing muscle cells wasn’t enough, it can actually help improve overall organ and blood vessels health, as a metabolic modulator, according to clinical trials. [R]
While more research collaboration must be done on Cardarine GW 501516 and its impact on physical performance, blood pressure, and weight loss in the long term, the preliminary evidence suggests it has an extremely positive impact on skeletal muscle tissue growth, body fat levels, fatty acid oxidation, and overall muscle mass in the body.
In short, Cardarine is a godsend for anybody who wants to get jacked and shredded.
Increased Muscle Mass
While another SARM like Ligandrol LGD-4033 or RAD 140 Testolone would definitely be better for building muscle, that isn’t to say that Cardarine GW 501516 has no effect on skeletal muscle.
In fact, the research suggests that Cardarine GW 501516 actually has a high binding affinity to skeletal muscle tissue, and thus encourages skeletal muscle to grow. [R]
Just look at the Cardarine results below and you’ll see how powerful GW 501516 is. Overall, we can’t recommend it enough. It helps you build muscle, speeds up wound healing, reduces inflammation, lowers cholesterol, and more. GW 501516 truly is a wonder drug.
Cardarine Results
READ MORE: 14 Pictures of SARMs Before and After Results
Many users experience phenomenal results from Cardarine, particularly bodybuilders trying to decrease their bodyfat percentages and get lean. Just look at the Cardarine results above.
Those GW 501516 results are from a 3-month cycle of GW 501516 in which a dosage of 20mg per day was taken. This is definitely on the higher end of dosage, but the results are insane.
Generally speaking, GW 501516 should not be taken for longer periods of time (ideally no longer than 3 months), since the long-term side effects are not known.
That being said, this peroxisome proliferator packs one heck of a punch. Just one 3-month cycle of GW 501516 was enough to transform a squishy doughboy into a rock-solid stud.
Cardarine Dosage & Stacks
Clinical trials conducted on humans used Cardarine dosages ranging from 2.5mg/day to 10mg/day, although some people have used up to 20mg/day. While there is no recommended dosage for Cardarine GW 501516 in general, taking 10mg is widely agreed upon.
A Cardarine GW 501516 dosage of 10mg per day would be enough to enhance body fat shredding, encourage the body to burn fat, and increase overall performance.
Here are the Cardarine dosage guidelines:
- Beginner: 5 mg per day
- Intermediate: 10 mg per day
- Advanced: 20 mg per day
For example, an intermediate dose of Cardarine would be 10mg/day, or half a dropper of the Cardarine (GW-501516) from PureRawz.
The effects of GW501516 are dose-dependent, meaning that if you take a higher dose of Cardarine, you will experience more fat burning, endurance, and energy, as well as potentially more side effects.
Bulking & Cutting Stacks
Some users take multiple SARMs at once, which allows them to experience even more muscle growth, fat burning, and enhanced athletic performance.
Cardarine (GW501516) is generally best suited for a cutting stack, as it allows users to burn fat rapidly, and enhances endurance.
Sample Bulking Stack | Sample Cutting Stack |
Cardarine – 10mg/day | Cardarine – 20mg/day |
Ligandrol – 20mg/day | Ostarine – 25mg/day |
YK11 – 10mg/day | Andarine – 50mg/day |
While Cardarine is generally considered a good SARM for cutting, it can also be used to do a lean bulk, as it prevents fat gain even when in a minor caloric surplus, according to many cycle logs and user reports.
Does Cardarine Require A PCT?
Thankfully, because Cardarine is a PPAR Delta Receptor Agonist and not a selective androgen receptor modulator, it will still boost muscle mass growth without reducing testosterone production which makes it a godsend for bodybuilders.
The only time you should take a PCT after a Cardarine GW 501516 cycle is if you are taking Cardarine with other SARMs for a “stack.” GW 501516 by itself does not require a PCT and due to its relatively short half life, it is out of your system within 2-3 days, even at higher doses.
Side Effects
According to the Australian Department of Health, as well as clinical studies, there are no known side effects of taking Cardarine, making it the perfect alternative to anabolic steroids. [R]
While there are very few known short term adverse effects of Cardarine use in humans, more research should be done on the long term effects. Cardarine GW 501516 could still have other adverse effects we aren’t aware of.
While there is no evidence to support this, some users reported the following side effects at high doses (above 20mg per day):
- Mild Muscle Cramps
- Slightly Elevated Blood Pressure
One common question people have relates to a study which found that GW501516 caused cancer growth to develop in organs of lab mice.
It has been noted, however, that the mice in this study were given this PPARδ receptor for roughly 2/3 of their life straight (with no breaks).
With this in mind, the evidence that Cardarine could cause cancer in humans is shaky at best—no bodybuilder is going to dose Cardarine daily for two thirds of his life (roughly 50 years straight).
Where to Buy Cardarine
If you are like many other bodybuilders, and want to get the best results in the gym that you possibly can, you’re probably wanting to buy Cardarine online, thankfully due to the legal status of GW 501516 it’s very easy to get online.
If you do decide to buy Cardarine, be sure to get it from a high quality source, like the ones we outlined in our SARMs for Sale article reviewing the best SARMs vendors out there right now.
It helps to make sure the company you buy from has good 3rd party verification protocols, otherwise you may get an impure substance.
Our top recommendation here at Nanotech Project is PureRawz. All of their products are tested for purity, and if you use the code “MD15” you’ll get 15% off any product you want.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Cardarine is often grouped together with SARMs, although it is technically not a SARM—but rather a PPARδ receptor agonist.
That being said, many athletes take Cardarine along with other SARMs, and experience huge endurance boosts, as well as accelerated fat loss.
If you want to purchase legitimate research chemicals and drugs, we recommend getting it from a 3rd party tested source, like PureRawz.
Every batch of their research chemicals and SARMs is 3rd party verified for purity, and if you use the code “MD15” you’ll get 15% off your order.
3 Responses
Should Cardarine be taken with food, or does it matter?
Doesn’t matter. I take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning when I’m on cycle.
I don’t do metrics, is .50 ml equal to 10 mg? Thanks…