Ligandrol, otherwise known as LGD-4033, is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that has highly powerful muscle-building effects.
In fact, many bodybuilders can put on pounds of lean muscle in just 8-12 weeks from a single cycle of Ligandrol, or maybe even more.
What does the clinical evidence say about Ligandrol, however? Is it safe? Can you use it for bodybuilding? If so, how Effective is it?
In this article, we will present you with evidence-based claims, and show you the facts, so you can make up your mind about this SARM.
What is Ligandrol (LGD-4033)?
Similar to Ostarine, RAD 140, and Cardarine, Ligandrol, otherwise known as LGD4033, is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM).
Selective androgen receptor modulators, or SARMs for short, are a relatively new and experimental class of research chemicals, which show extraordinary promise to help users rapidly put on pounds of lean muscle.
While it was first discovered by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, LGD-4033 is currently undergoing research through Viking Therapeutics as a potential treatment for muscle wasting and other illnesses. [R]
According to research thus far, Ligandrol presents extraordinary promise, and is arguably one of the most androgenic SARMs to date.
The main goal of Ligandrol is to assist users in building muscle, and is particularly useful when on a dirty bulk or clean bulk.
Overview of LGD 4033 Pros & Cons
Before we get into the clinical studies, results, dosages, and side effects of Ligandrol, we’d like to first present a brief overview of its pros and cons.
Health Benefits Include:
- Increased Muscle Mass Gain
- Great SARM For Bulking
- Increased Bone Density
- Enhanced Recovery Time
- Improved Fat Loss Speed
Potential Drawbacks Include:
- May Have Long-Term Side Effects
- Not Approved For Human Use (Yet)
- Temporary Testosterone Suppression
- Decreased HDL (Good Cholesterol)
One of the biggest advantages of Ligandrol is its ability to be used as a bulking compound, to help users improve their overall body mass.
In fact, Ligandrol is currently the best SARM to take when it comes to raw muscle gains. While it may not be as good as a SARM like Ostarine or RAD 140 for cutting, it excels at helping users get big.
Most of the research literature suggests that Ligandrol is relatively safe when taken within the recommended dosages, however more studies need to be done regarding the long-term effects of LGD 4033.
Legality of LGD-4033
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), athletes are strictly prohibited from using Ligandrol and other SARMs. [R]
The United States Anti Doping Agency, or the USADA for short, has also outlawed athletes from using SARMs during competitions. Many high profile cases, such as that of Jim Wallhead, have emphasized this.
That being said, SARMs are completely legal.
In other words, if you wanted to, you could buy SARMs for sale online right now—we just recommend you get them through a reputable vendor, though.
This is why many people are choosing to take SARMs as a way to get stronger, help their recovery, gain muscle mass, and get in better shape.
Where to Buy It
If you’re just skimming this article and want a high quality source to purchase Ligandrol from, we recommend the LGD-4033 from Pure Rawz.
Every batch of their SARMs are 3rd party verified, so you know that they’re at least 99% pure, verified by an independent laboratory.
When ordering SARMs online, you need to be very careful—only get them from a reputable vendor, as many vendors sell fake SARMs laced with dangerous prohormones, or even worse.
How Does It Work?
Similar to other selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), Ligandrol works by binding to androgen receptors in the body shortly after use. [R]
SARMs such as LGD-4033 have a high affinity for skeletal muscle androgen receptors, meaning they tend to give steroid-like effects, without causing the common heart and prostate-related side effects of steroids.
LGD 4033 is highly bio-available, meaning it doesn’t need to be injected like steroids—many test subjects simply choose to take it orally.
Upon ingestion, LGD-4033 quickly binds to androgen receptors, and begins exerting an anabolic effect, allowing the user to rapidly build muscle.
This is something anabolic androgenic steroids also do. However, unlike them, LGD 4033 spares the reproductive organs, explaining why it faces less backlash from the body.
Is It Like Steroids?
Both steroids and SARMs have similar effects. They both shred fat, increase strength, help users gain muscle, and can provide incredible results.
That being said, there are some key differences between the two, and how they affect your body. What makes SARMs unique is that they have a high affinity for skeletal muscle androgen receptors.
With SARMs, for example, users won’t experience as many of the negative prostate-related side effects that steroids might cause, due to the selective nature of SARMs. [R]
However, the results that you can get from an LGD 4033 cycle, from taking, say, 10 mg per day, are comparable to a low dose cycle of steroids.
That too without experiencing the side effects — acne and prostate enlargement, reduced sperm count, infertility, etc., which is common with anabolic steroids.
If you want to see SARMs before and after results from multiple different SARMs, we’ve already documented them in that article there (read it).
The benefit of SARMs is that they’re completely legal to purchase, and are more selective in nature. The drawback is that they may be more liver-toxic than an injectable steroid cycle and may cause a a serious liver injury when taken in very high dosages.
Regardless, most studies suggest that SARMs are well-tolerated when taken within the recommended dose range, so plenty of amateur bodybuilders, athletes, and healthy young men are choosing to take SARMs over steroids.
Benefits of LGD-4033
The most obvious benefit of LGD4033 is building muscle. Many users experience gains of 10 pounds or more of muscle while on cycle.
While more research must certainly be done on the long term effects, there are still many clinical applications for taking LGD4033 in the short term.
Here are some benefits of Ligandrol:
- Rapid Muscle Growth
- Enhanced Athleticism
- Increased Strength
- Great For Bulking
- Minimal Side Effects
In our experience, Ligandrol is one of the best SARMs for bulking up, due to its ability to help users pack on slabs of muscle mass extremely quickly.
Most people take LGD4033 for body building, due to its potent anabolic effects—however let’s explain some of the other benefits, as well.
Rapid Muscle Growth
As stated, the biggest and most obvious benefit of LGD4033 is rapid muscle growth—many athletes and bodybuilders use Ligandrol for this reason.
Researchers at the Boston Medical Center’s Section of Endocrinology, for example, stated that LGD4033 increased lean muscle mass in users, without many side effects, and was generally well-tolerated. [R]
Most studies on LGD4033 have found that it leads to a dose-dependent increase in muscle mass in users, even with very low dosages.
It’s also important to note that a SARM like LGD-4033 is probably the best SARM for bulking, although many people find that the muscle gains aren’t as dry as those from a compound like Ostarine, for example.
Enhanced Athleticism
It’s clear that Ligandrol gives professional athletes an advantage, particularly because it increases lean muscle mass significantly in users.
Taking a SARM like LGD4033 gives athletes a clear advantage with better recovery, faster fat loss, and quicker strength gains—which is why it’s so popular amongst body builders.
In fact, the research to suggest that LGD-4033 is highly anabolic is so strong, that the USADA has acknowledged it as being performance-enhancing. [R]
Currently, LGD4033 (and all other SARMs) are banned by the World Anti-Doping Association, although they are still legal to buy and sell in the US.
Increased Strength
While there is minimal research testing Ligandrol for body building, there is an enormous amount of anecdotal evidence from recreational users.
Many posters on Reddit and various body building forums have reported strength increases as high as 35% from a single cycle of LGD-4033.
Other users also report that stacking LGD 4033 with other SARMs, or even with a steroid like testosterone enanthate, can enhance recovery, fat loss, and strength gains even more.
Much of your LGD4033 results will depend on many factors of course, however it’s clear that Ligandrol has many benefits, with increased strength and muscle mass gains being the primary ones.
Decreased Body Fat
In its only clinical trial conducted to date, Ligandrol helped users shed body fat.
Participants experienced more fat loss after taking 1 mg/day of Ligandrol than those on 0.1 mg and 0.3 mg daily doses, signaling a dose-dependent relationship between LGD 4033 and fat loss. [R]
Which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Many SARMs have been proven to help users build muscle and shed body fat. Ligandrol does the same by directing the energy stored for fats toward bone and muscle tissues
Improved Fracture Resistance
One of the most under-reported benefits of LGD 4033 is its ability to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
Even though a vast body of research points to the relationship between Ligandrol LGD 4033 and improved fracture resistance.
Multiple studies presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Gerontology Society of America showed that LGD 4033 increases bone mineral density. [R]
Ligandrol did that by increasing the rate of new bone formation and decreasing the rate of bone turnover.
However, all these studies were conducted on animals. More research is needed to verify this benefit.
Dosage & Cycles
While the previously cited study demonstrated that Ligandrol is safe in dosages as high as 22 milligrams, most users start by taking less.
For men, the most common recreational dosage is 10-20mg per day, and for women, the most common recreational dosage is 5-10mg per day.
You will see results from LGD-4033 on a dosage as low as 0.1mg, but most male recreational users prefer to start by taking 10mg per day.
Ligandrol can also be stacked with other SARMs for added benefit, depending on whether you want to do a bulking cycle or a cutting cycle of SARMs.
For a bulking cycle, LGD4033 is often stacked with MK-677 or RAD 140, and for cutting, LGD-4033 pairs well with Cardarine or S4.
Dosage For Body Building
The standard beginner’s dosage of Ligandrol is 10 mg per day, which is roughly one full dropper per day of the LGD-4033 from Pure Rawz.
Using this dosage, users can expect to put on 10-15 pounds of muscle mass in 8-12 weeks, although it may not be entirely lean muscle mass (much of it may simply be water retention).
Here’s a guide to the best LGD 4033 dosages:
- Beginner Dosage: 10mg/Day
- Intermediate Dosage: 15mg/day
- Advanced Dosage: 20mg/day
Some people, particularly women, choose to use even less of this SARM, taking dosages as low as 5mg per day, to minimize potential side effects.
While studies have shown Ligandrol to be relatively safe and well-tolerated, no clinical study has given test subjects more than 22 mg per day.
How to Cycle LGD4033
It’s important to cycle SARMs on and off, and LGD4033 is no exception. It’s best for your health if you wait at least 4-8 weeks between cycles.
It’s important to give your body time to recover from the effects of SARMs on your HPG axis, allowing your natural testosterone production to go back to normal levels.
A typical LGD 4033 cycle might look like this:
- Weeks 1-8: Take 10mg Ligandrol Daily
- Weeks 9-12: Follow With PCT
- Weeks 13-20: Allow Your Body to Recover
Most people take at least 4-8 weeks off between cycles, otherwise your testosterone production will stay suppressed from constant SARMs use.
Best LGD 4033 Stacks
Ligandrol could be stacked with other SARMs to build muscle, reduce fat and enhance performance.
Here are the best LGD 4033 stacks:
LGD 4033 Bulking Stack
If you want a significant body weight gain, the LGD 4033-RAD 140 stack will help you bulk up beyond your wildest dreams.
LGD 4033 will strengthen your bones and give them the ability to handle new muscle. RAD 140 will help put on new muscle as well as improve your endurance.
Here are the dosage guidelines:
- 5 mg of RAD 140/day for eight week
- 15 mg of Ligandrol/day for eight weeks
Follow up with post-cycle therapy to reverse testosterone suppression caused during the cycle.
LGD 4033 Cutting Stack
Combining LGD 4033 with YK 11 (Myostine) will help you shred fat.
YK 11 inhibits myostatin, a hormone that inhibits muscle growth and development. Stacking it with LGD 4033 will make for a fruitful cutting stack.
Here are the dosage guidelines:
- 25 mg of LGD 4033/day for 4 weeks
- 25 mg of YK 11/day for 4 weeks
Advanced users can add a 25 mg daily dose of Testolone to this stack. Together, the three SARMs will help you burn fat and build muscle at a rapid rate.
LGD 4033 MK 677
Users report gaining about 6 – 7 pounds of muscle and losing up to 3% of body fat on this stack. They also claim to experience noticeable strength gains.
Here are the dosage guidelines:
- 5 mg/day of LGD 4033 for 16 weeks
- 15 mg/day of MK 677 for 16 weeks
Drink plenty of water while you’re on the stack. This would save you from experiencing water retention.
Ligandrol (LGD 4033) Results
Out of all the SARMs currently for sale on the market right now, Ligandrol is arguably the best for increasing muscle mass, milligram for milligram. [R]
Users who take LGD4033 can expect to get very fast results, gaining as much as 10-15 pounds of muscle in as little as 8-12 weeks.
In fact, there’s many reports of men transforming their bodies and getting phenomenal results in just a matter of weeks from LGD-4033—something that would normally only be possible when using anabolic steroids.
In a clinical setting, a small 1 mg dosage of LGD-4033 per day led to an average of 2.67 pounds gained in 12 weeks.
Assuming that the dosage scales linearly, bodybuilders could easily gain 10-15 pounds of muscle mass on a standard dosage of LGD-4033.
LGD-4033 Side Effects
While LGD-4033 has been demonstrated to be well tolerated in most users, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some minor (or more serious) side effects.
There have been reports of a 32-year-old suffering acute liver injury after taking this SARM for two weeks. Subsequent liver biopsy findings confirmed LGD 4033 to be the cause of the injury. [R]
The most common and obvious side effect of taking LGD4033, is temporary testosterone suppression while on cycle. This is why a good SARMs PCT is important.
Common side effects of LGD4033 may include:
- Reduced HDL Cholesterol
- Mild Testosterone Suppression
- Water Retention
- Increased Stress on The Liver
- Mild Gynecomastia
One of the most common side effects of Ligandrol on the body is a dose-dependent decrease in the body’s natural testosterone production.
This is why many body builders keep an aromatase inhibitor on hand during their LGD-4033 cycles, in case estrogen levels get out of balance.
This being said, many of these side effects can be mitigated by getting regular blood work done, and by taking the appropriate on-cycle drugs.
If your family has a history of high cholesterol, you may want watch your HDL and LDL levels while on cycle—taking Lipitor may help with this.
Thankfully, studies have shown that Ligandrol (LGD4033) does not alter hemoglobin levels, liver enzymes, or heart rate, so it is still relatively safe.
Summary
In conclusion, Ligandrol, otherwise known as LGD-4033, is a potent SARM which has been shown to help users rapidly increase muscle mass.
Much more research must be conducted on the long-term side effects of LGD-4033, but preliminary research suggests it’s very well tolerated.
If you do decide to purchase Ligandrol for research purposes, the highest quality source available is currently Pure Rawz. In fact, if you use the code “MD15” you’ll get 15% off anything you want from them.
We hope this article was informative and helpful, but if you believe we left any important information out, please leave a comment below!
