What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a natural hormone produced in the male reproductive organs, the testes.

Testosterone is responsible for promoting development of the male sex organs; while also being responsible for the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics that occur during puberty.

Testosterone has been used for decades as an androgenic steroid hormone for healthy men to bulk up their muscle mass.

In fact, a good majority of men who are on prescription testosterone replacement therapy are already on a number of other drugs.

These include SSRI’s, Beta Blockers, and cardiac drugs.

As the medical literature has classically indicated, as well as first-hand experiences by those who have used exogenous testosterone, the major concern with testosterone use is the associated side effects.

Some of those side effects even have the potential to be life-threatening.

Side Effects Associated With Exogenous Testosterone

With testosterone supplementation there are significant drug-drug interactions; and therefore, a patients medical care must be monitored very closely when receiving this external source of testosterone.

Other unwanted side effects that are so commonly associated with exogenous testosterone supplementation include:

• Acne
• Aggressive behavior
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Blood clots
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Excess hair growth in male specific areas
• hot flashes
• High blood pressure
• Inability to sleep
• Male breast development
• High cholesterol
• Prolonged erection
• Rashes
• Itching

That’s a pretty big list!

There have also been clinical studies that have indicated a direct relationship between testosterone and increased risk of heart attack.

If exogenous testosterone is used for greater than 10 years, there have been clinical studies that indicated the relationship between this hormonal supplement and hypogonadism.

Clearly there are MANY downsides, which have resulted in plenty of guys looking for a better alternative.

In comes SARMS.

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Selective Androgenic Receptor Modulators (SARMS) – Andarine, Ostarine, and Ligandrol

As stated, SARMs stand for selective, androgenic receptor modulators.

In this class of compounds there are several that have different benefits and associated risks.

The SARMs that will be evaluated in this article include:

• • Andarine
  • Ostarine
  • Ligandrol

As a SARMs class, the important aspect to understand is that these compounds are selective; meaning they only bind to specific receptors in the muscles.

The result is localized benefits; and diminished systemic effects.

Whereas compared to testosterone, which would bind to receptors in a diverse amount of tissues and systems, the effects would be systemic and devastating in many instances (Dalton, 2013).

SARMs: Andarine – Benefits Vs. Risks

Andarine is in the SARMs class, and is also a non-steroidal, selective androgenic receptor modulator.

It is orally active, and has a very short half-life.

Because it is a selective androgenic receptor modulator, the commonly observed effects on the PSA levels are not observed.

There are not any clinically significant effects on the following: LH, FSH, Estradiol, or PSA. Andarine is known for increasing muscle mass while decreasing water retention.

There are clinically significant side effects associated with this SARM.

With high dosages of this compound, the individual cycling using this compound may experience the following: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis suppression or visual disturbances.

The visual disturbances may present as night blindness or yellow vision.

The side effects normally resolve once the individual has stopped taking the compound.

However, to reduce the potential of experiencing these side effects it is important to take the compound for 5 days and the off-cycle for 2 days.

By following this particular protocol, the chance of developing these side effects will be significantly diminished (TigerFitness, 2016).

Each individual will determine the most appropriate SARM for their set goals; however, it is fair to state that the side effects present with this compound are more clinically significant than those associated with Ligandrol.

SARMs: Ostarine – Benefits Vs. Risks

Ostarine is in the SARMs class, and therefore is a non-steroidal, selective androgenic receptor modulator.

This particular compound is also orally active and is used as a means to increase body muscle mass.

Ostarine is a compound that is commonly taken during the bulking phase and recomposition phase.

Related Article: 5 BEST SARMS For Bulking

There have been clinical reports that have indicated as much as 7 pounds of muscle mass increase over an 8 week cycle.

Other associated benefits included: decreased fat and increase in muscle strength and muscle mass.

However, as compared to Ligandrol, there are significant side effects associated with Ostarine.

Side effects include the following: suppressed Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and increased estradiol levels.

Suppressing the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis can have devastating effects on the human body.

These effects went away after 3 weeks treatment with PCT.

The half-life of this compound is 24 hours so the oral dosing is once daily; and there is not a need to cycle within the week.

While the side effects may seem to be less severe as compared to Andarine, they are still more clinically significant when compared to the side effects associated with Ligandrol (TigerFitness, 2016).

What is Ligandrol?

Ligandrol was first identified when evaluating the medical literature.

There have been many peer-reviewed clinical studies that have indicated the promising uses of this SARM as a means to bulk up those individuals suffering from terminal diseases such as cancer.

Cancer is a debilitating, and in many cases terminal disease that is characterized by muscle wasting.

When treating a patient who has cancer, it is imperative to determine a means to increase both appetite and muscle mass.

When these patients are suffering from these diseases, it is very hard to stimulate their appetite and so an alternate way to increase muscle mass was identified.

The alternative was Ligandrol.

Ligandrol: Cycle Length

Ligandrol (LGD 4033) is the strongest SARM on the market today.

It has come to popularity because of its heightened benefits and diminished side effects.

LGD has become the perfect SARM for bulking up; and gaining a significant amount of muscle mass.

The dosage ranges from approximately 2 mg to 10 mg, once daily.

The cycle length can vary, but the best results from Ligandrol have been observed when the cycle length ranged between the 6 to 8 week mark.

Just as important as the cycle time, is the off-period and that is normally approximately half the duration of the cycle.

Therefore, if the cycle length is 6 weeks, then the off-period between the next cycle will be approximately 3 weeks.

If the cycle length is 8 weeks, then the off-period between the next cycle will be approximately 4 weeks.

Differences Between Ligandrol And Other Androgenic Steroids

Ligandrol was also found to not only be useful in patients with diseases such as cancer, but were also found to increase muscle mass significantly in healthy individuals as well.

Other androgenic steroids such as testosterone have been used for decades for men and women to build significant muscle mass; however, testosterone is not selective and therefore the individual will experience systemic effects on areas such as: skin, hair, and prostate.

Another difference between androgenic steroids such as testosterone and SARMs such as Ligandrol, is that testosterone has to be injected to have any benefit; whereas, Ligandrol is given orally and provides great benefits through this route of transmission.

Ligandrol: Selective, Non-Steroidal Androgen

This SARM has really provided those who wish to bulk up an opportunity to gain the benefits, without the side effects that traditional steroids are so commonly associated.

Ligandrol is considered a selective androgen receptor modulator.

Basically, that means that the compound binds to androgen receptors, and mimics androgenic effects.

Ligandrol is also selective.

Being selective is what helps the individual wishing to bulk up to receive the benefits without experiencing systemic effects.

The LGD actually binds only to the androgen receptors in the muscles; thus creating a localized effect.

Other non-selective androgenic receptor modulators, bind to any androgenic receptors in the body including: bone, eyes, muscles, and more.

Ligandrol: Side Effects Vs. Benefits

Because of the significant side effects associated with androgenic steroids in the past, it has raised concern surrounding the safety of these traditional muscle building agents.

This has sparked the increased research into new, potentially useful agents that will focus on selective areas of the human body.

The goal is to provide the benefits of muscle growth, without the negative side effects.

SARMs, in particular Ligandrol has undergone significant clinical evaluation to determine if it is going to provide benefits without significant risks.

Clinical studies completed have indicated that Ligandrol has proven to be effective and safe, without any significant drug-to-drug interactions.

This is a significant breakthrough.

The research continued to conclude that not only where there not any significant, drug-to-drug interactions, but that liver enzymes such as: AST and ALT remained within normal limits.

The PSA level did not significantly change in those who used Ligandrol.

Even more important, the cardiovascular risks associated with testosterone have been cause for concern; however, when Ligandrol was evaluated, there were no significant changes in the QT interval.

These areas of concern were tested at all dosage levels; and thus, the patients did not experience any significant changes in any of those laboratory levels even at the highest dosage of Ligandrol.

With every compound there will be negative effects to some degree; for Ligandrol a few of those side effects include the following: decreased HDL cholesterol, dose-dependent decrease in endogenous testosterone levels, dose-dependent decrease in FSH and free-testosterone at 1.0 mg/daily dose.

Ligandrol Before And After

I have to say, I’m REALLY impressed by some of the complete body transformations some of these guys are getting from Ligandrol.

I’ve looked through some before and after pictures, and if I didn’t know any better I would have assumed these dudes were using steroids to get results like this.

Take a look at some of these pics:

Where To Buy Ligandrol

Not surprisingly, you can find Ligandrol for sale online. However, because it’s a research chemical, it’s availability is limited. The most common place you’ll find it for sale is on eBay.

The last time I checked there were about a dozen different vendors who were selling it, and the prices ranged from as little as $35, to as much as $135.

There are a few restrictions on its purchase, but you can still buy it without needing any sort of prescription.

If you’re looking to buy Ligandrol in stores like GNC, Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe, Walgreens, and CVS, I’m afraid you’ll come up short.

None of these traditional brick and mortar retailers sell it, and I don’t anticipate them doing so any time soon.

Conclusion

There are many different types of androgenic derivatives on the market today.There are the classic, traditional non-selective, androgenic steroid hormones such as testosterone; and then there are the selective, non-steroidal androgenic receptor modulators or SARMs.

It should be noted that practically none of these, including Ligandrol, are available in stores like GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Walgreens, Walmart, or CVS, and they likely never will be.

There are significant risks associated with the androgenic steroids; and thus, there should definitely be a shift from this type of supplement to SARMs.

It is up to the individual, and their set goals to determine which SARM will offer them the most benefits.

As can be derived from this article, there are a variety of SARMs that have potential benefits and risks.

Andarine and Ostarine have benefits; but also have clinically significant associated risks.

Ligandrol provides benefits with minimal risks.

Therefore, after stringent review of the literature and personal testimonies, it is clinically evident that Ligandrol offers many benefits without the associated negative risks.

While there are still instances in which the individuals must monitor their free-testosterone and HDL levels, in many instances this can be resolved through the supplementation with PCT.

It is imperative with every compound regimen, that the safety be evaluated.

Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate and safe way to implement this type of regimen into your cycling.

Have You Used Ligandrol? Leave Your Review Below!