RAD-150 vs. RAD-140: Which is the superior SARM?

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are gaining traction in bodybuilding due to their legal status when sold for experimental use.

SARMs are designed to mitigate the side effects of anabolic steroids via tissue selectivity, which involves specifically targeting androgen receptors. Thus, their objective is to stimulate receptors that promote anabolism rather than those that cause side effects.

SARMs aim to mimic the same benefits as anabolic steroids, albeit with less potency. However, we have found SARMs to reproduce several of the same side effects as anabolic steroids, while producing less overall anabolic activity.

Despite the potential cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of SARMs, users may experience increases in:

• Muscle mass
• Muscular strength
• Fat loss
• Endurance

Consequently, various drug testing organizations have listed SARMs, including RAD-140 and RAD-150, as prohibited substances. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) states that SARMs can provide athletes with an unfair advantage due to their anabolic properties. USADA also states that SARMs can pose health risks to athletes and the general public, as there are limited long-term studies demonstrating their safety in humans.

What is RAD-140?

RAD-140 (Testolone) can produce significant gains with moderate side effects. RAD-140 is similar to testosterone in the anabolic steroid world, with its reward-to-risk ratio being more favorable than several other SARMs.

Based on our observations, RAD-140 may increase lean muscle mass by up to 10 pounds during a cycle. This weight gain can make a notable difference in appearance, considering users are simultaneously burning fat.

We have also seen users’ strength increase by 50 pounds on compound exercises from their first RAD-140 cycle. Thus, RAD-140 may produce disproportionately large strength gains relative to muscle growth.

Gary Hattersley, the chief scientific officer of Radius Health, states that RAD-140 shows potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer patients due to its unique mechanism of action. Hattersley explains that tumors resistant to conventional estrogen receptor (ER)-targeted therapies may be effectively treated with RAD-140 because it selectively stimulates the androgen receptor, which can inhibit tumor growth. Importantly, this mechanism does not significantly impact reproductive tissues and therefore may reduce the risk of exacerbating estrogen-related cancers.

What is RAD-150?

RAD-150 (TLB-150) is an esterified form of RAD-140 with an added benzoate ester. This modification increases the compound’s half-life, resulting in steadier blood concentrations.

Patricia LoRusso, a leading researcher on the effects of RAD-140, states that, in her experience, the SARM’s half-life in humans is approximately 45 hours. In contrast, RAD-150 is expected to remain in the system for an extended period, which may delay the onset of peak effects.

Findings and analysis

RAD-150 appears to exhibit slightly lower hepatotoxic and lipid-altering effects than RAD-140, with approximately 15% fewer changes in cholesterol levels and liver enzymes. However, we have found it can produce greater testosterone suppression in patients, potentially due to its longer half-life and prolonged androgen receptor activation. Thus, it is more important to run an effective post-cycle therapy (PCT) with RAD-150 to recover natural testosterone levels.

This recovery process may take a few weeks longer for RAD-150 due to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) being more affected.

Our patients who have used RAD-150 have reported muscle gains that are 10–15% greater than those observed in patients using RAD-140.

Strength improvements are even more significant with RAD-150, approaching a 20% increase.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

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Dose

SARM companies typically dose RAD-150 lower than RAD-140 due to its extra potency.

In our experience, a standard cycle of RAD-150 is dosed at 10–15 mg/day for 8 weeks.

Cost

RAD-150 is slightly more expensive than RAD-140 per bottle.

In the table below, you can see how Sports Technology Labs’ prices compare for these two SARMs.

SARM	Price	Volume	Concentration
RAD-140	$64.99	30 mL	15 mg/mL
RAD-150	$69.99	30 mL	10 mg/mL

Taste

Anecdotally, we have found that RAD-150 tastes more pleasant, which can be attributed to the addition of the new benzoate ester.

What the research says

RAD-140 studies

Anabolism

Research in monkeys demonstrated a 10% increase in mass from a RAD-140 dosage of 0.1 mg/kg per day for 28 days [1]. This would translate to 7.5 mg per day for a 75 kg man. Dosages exceeding 0.1 mg/kg did not produce any further increases in mass. Researchers also found that liver enzymes and prostate mass in the monkeys remained stable.

A rodent study indicated that a RAD-140 dose of 3 mg/kg per day produced the same amount of muscle gains as a 1 mg/kg dose of testosterone [2]. Thus, at very high doses, RAD-140 may rival the muscle-building effects of some anabolic steroids. However, 3 mg/kg of RAD-140 per day in humans is likely to yield severe side effects.

There is also evidence that high doses of RAD-140 can cause muscle atrophy, as rodents at risk of sarcopenia had a higher mortality risk when taking 5 mg/kg/day of RAD-140 [3].

Neuroprotection

Androgens have been shown to have neuroprotective qualities in research. We have also observed the same cognitive-enhancing effects with RAD-140 in rodents [4], suggesting potential for the treatment of dementia-related diseases.

RAD-140 may be considered a more optimal treatment than testosterone for dementia-related diseases, as testosterone can cause prostatic hyperplasia. However, RAD-140 would need to demonstrate acceptable safety in humans before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat neurological conditions.

RAD-150 studies

There is a lack of medical research conducted on RAD-150, so despite some promising early findings, it remains an experimental SARM.

Frequently asked questions

Which SARM is more common?

RAD-140 has been around for longer; thus, more researchers are inclined to administer it. RAD-150 is a new SARM in comparison, and therefore, its effects are less established.

Is RAD-140 or RAD-150 safe?

There is not enough clinical research to suggest that RAD-140 or RAD-150 is safe. RAD-140 and RAD-150 are only legal for experimental purposes, and thus, human consumption is prohibited.

Our experience suggests SARMs like RAD-140 replicate some anabolic effects of steroids, but with less anabolism and comparable side effects.

Dr. Thomas O’Connor has treated hundreds of patients who have used RAD-140 and other SARMs, and he states that, at sufficiently high doses, he has observed these substances negatively affecting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and liver enzyme function.

Is RAD-140 or RAD-150 suppressive?

RAD-140 and RAD-150 are both suppressive SARMs, and therefore, PCT is commonly implemented upon cycle cessation to accelerate endogenous testosterone recovery.

Dr. George Touliatos states that he has observed clinically low testosterone levels in patients who have used SARMs, including RAD-140 and RAD-150. He also says that PCT may be necessary to restore optimal testosterone production.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as Nolvadex and Clomid typically produce efficacious results in restoring HPTA function.

Without PCT, it can take several weeks for users’ testosterone levels to return to normal following RAD-140 and RAD-150 cycles.

RAD-150 can be more suppressive than RAD-140, potentially requiring a couple of PCT medications for swift recovery.

Is it necessary to take liver support with RAD-140 or RAD-150?

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) supplementation is beneficial when utilizing hepatotoxic compounds.

Research indicates that this bile salt supplement can reduce hepatic stress, decreasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels [5]. We have found 500 mg/day to be an effective dose for users utilizing SARMs.

Expert Consensus

Dylan Gemelli, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer, has observed RAD-140’s effects. He warns that limited information exists on RAD-150.

Gemelli states that the main difference is that “RAD-150 is esterified, meaning it has an extended half-life.” Thus, RAD-150 can cause more stable serum levels. Gemelli says that an extended half-life is advantageous for some users who prefer administering SARMs every two days as opposed to every day.

Ryan Ankrom, a certified personal trainer, has firsthand experience with RAD-140 and RAD-150, and he says they are “very similar.” He adds, “RAD-150 does the same thing as RAD-140, but with added potency,” due to it having a structural advantage because it contains an additional benzoate ester.

Conclusion

Based on our experience, RAD-150 appears to offer a more favorable risk-to-reward ratio. However, little research exists on RAD-150; therefore, it remains an unknown substance, particularly in comparison with RAD-140.

Researchers should obtain RAD-140 and RAD-150 from reputable suppliers that implement rigorous testing protocols to ensure product purity. Chemyo and Sports Technology Labs are two such providers that adhere to these standards, and we utilize their products in our studies.

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