LGD 4033 (Ligandrol)

LGD-4033, known also as Ligandrol and Anabolicum, is the strongest orally bioavailable, non-steroidal, selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) currently on the market.

Popular with athletes, power lifters and body builders for its  ability to both bulk and cut, Ligandrol produces steroid-like results  without the side effects.

It’s considered an excellent supplement for those looking to recomp: reduce their body fat and increase lean muscle mass.

From a medical perspective, Ligandrol is being studied to treat  conditions such as muscle wasting linked with acute and chronic  diseases, age-related muscle loss, Osteoporosis and cancer.

LGD-4033 was originally discovered by Ligand pharmaceuticals and is currently under development by Viking Therapeutics as VK5211.

From the start, LGD-4033 has been anticipated to yield the healing  benefits of testosterone with better safety, admissibility and patient  acceptance due to tissue-selective mechanism of action and its oral form  of administering.

 Ligandrol works in the same way as other SARM’s: by selectively  activating androgen receptors to promote anabolic activity exclusively  in muscle and bone. 

 Studies show [1] that LGD-4033 has a high affinity muscle and bone AR’s  rather than prostate, liver or sebaceous glands, which makes it an ideal  SARM for building and preserving muscle mass and bone mineral density. 

1. LGD-4033 increases lean muscle mass. The  clear-cut primary benefit of supplementing with Anabolicum is its  ability to increase lean muscle mass without increasing fat when  bulking.The Phase 1 trial showed that participants taking 1.0mg of  Ligandrol gained on average 2.66lbs (1.21kg) of lean body mass over the  21-day period. This increase was dose-dependent, meaning the more  LGD-4033 taken, the more lean muscle mass was created. [1] NB: Recommended dosage is 10mg per day. We do not advocate going higher than this dose.
2.  LGD-4033 may improve strength and stamina. One  key study measured participants stair-climbing speed and power as an  indicator of muscle strength and endurance. Results from the 21-day  study indicated a trend towards dose-related improvement of  stair-climbing speed and power thanks to LGD. [1]Real users have noted  an increase in muscle strength and stamina while cycling Ligandrol,  which correlates with the increase in lean muscle mass seen in studies. 
3.  LGD-4033 selectively targets muscle and bone tissue. As  a true SARM, LGD targets the AR almost exclusively in muscle and bone  tissue, which is why it is being studied to prevent and treat caxechia,  sarcopenia, osteoporosis and older individuals recovering from hip  fractures.Studies show that, even though there was clear androgenic  activity in muscle and bone tissue, the prostate-specific antigen did  not change significantly when taking the correct Anabolicum dosage. 
4.  LGD-4033 may increase fat loss. LGD  has amazing anti-catabolic activity, which means it prevents the  breakdown of hard earned muscle. This is why lean body mass has been  reported in some users to increase even during a caloric deficit.Ligandrol  also indirectly reduces body fat by increasing muscle and bone cells,  which are more metabolically expensive to maintain than fat cells. By  increasing muscle mass, an increase in the catabolic activity metabolism  is seen, which results in easier fat loss.  
5.  LGD-4033 boosts mental well-being. Many  users have reported feeling positive, strong and a sense of ‘alpha’  when taking Ligandrol. This state of mental wellbeing and what some have  called a slight feeling of ‘aggression’ benefits their lifts in the gym  as it improves their competitive streak. Just be sure not to get too  competitive and keep your lifts smart and safe. 
6.  LGD-4033 may treat muscle wasting caused by cancer. Anabolicum’s  Phase 1 clinical trial showed promising results for building and  preserving lean muscle mass in healthy young men, which has lead Viking  Pharmaceuticals to investigate how LGD could be used to treat caxechia  (muscle wastage) caused by cancer. Trials are currently underway (2016).  [2]  LGD-4033 may help patients recover from hip fractures. Phase  2 of the clinical trial of Ligandrol is currently underway. Viking  Pharmaceuticals noticed that older individuals are at higher risk of  suffering a hip fracture and, due to sarcopenia (the natural decline of  muscle mass after the age of 30), it’s harder for individuals to both  retain and build lean muscle mass.Combined with a hip fracture, and the  rate of morbidity due to complications after a fall increases.A  supplement such as Ligandrol, which helps increase bone mineral density  as well as increase lean muscle mass without the side effects of traditional treatments such as steroids is a promising treatment for an otherwise overlooked population.
7.  LGD-4033 may treat muscle wasting caused by cancer. Anabolicum’s  Phase 1 clinical trial showed promising results for building and  preserving lean muscle mass in healthy young men, which has lead Viking  Pharmaceuticals to investigate how LGD could be used to treat caxechia  (muscle wastage) caused by cancer. Trials are currently underway (2016). 

As with all supplements, some side effects have been noted by both  users of Ligandrol and during studies. However, it’s worth noting that  side effects of LGD-4033 appear to be not only minimal and reversible,  but outweighed by the benefits.

The primary Clinical Trial Phase 1 showed that LGD-4033 was well-tolerated and safe at all doses.

However, some side effects reported by users online include:

• Headaches
• Hair growth as well as shedding
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Muscle Pumps

However, whether these side effects can be attributed to Ligandrol is  hard to say, as some users do not purchase their SARMs from reputable  sources.

Keep in mind that results and side effects vary by individual, particularly as a minimally-studied, non-FDA approved supplement.

Bottom Line: There have been no serious or long lasting negative effects reported as a result of taking LGD 4033.

And with it’s 24 hour half life, anything you DO experience will go  away pretty quickly. I also recommend you limit each cycle to a maximum  of 6 weeks and take a full month off before you take it again.

Don’t be stupid, or irresponsible, and always be aware of how your body is responding to it and you’ll be okay.

An interesting side effect of Ligandrol is a dose-dependent  suppression of total testosterone and hormone-binding globulin levels.  Although Ligandrol increased lean body mass, the study showed  testosterone suppression from baseline to day 21 of the three-week  study. [1]

However, once LGD-4033 was discontinued, testosterone levels returned to their normal baseline by day 56. A mini-PCT  should assist the body in returning to baseline.