6 Popular SARM Cycles: How They Affect Your Body

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are being reviewed as a possible treatment for cachexia due to their anabolic effects (1, 2, 3).

However, there are no official dosing or cycle protocols issued by pharmaceutical authorities (4). This is due to SARMs not being approved by the FDA (5).

This guide will detail the common dosages utilized in the fitness community and the potential side effects associated with such cycles. Consequently, the public can be better informed regarding their pros and cons.

We do not endorse the use of SARMs outside of research studies. Our objective with this article is to share with researchers what we have learned from treating patients who have taken SARMs and connect them with credible companies to support their scientific endeavors.

6 SARM Cycles

1. Ostarine

A first SARM cycle is typically an Ostarine-only cycle. This is due to research showing it can produce notable effects on body composition, with moderate muscle-building and fat-burning (6, 7). Ostarine (enobosarm, MK-2866, GTx-024) can cause less toxicity than other SARMs, such as YK-11 (Myostine) or S23, making it more common among novices.

Anecdotally, we typically see users build up to 10 pounds of muscle on Ostarine while burning approximately 3% of subcutaneous body fat.

Week(s)	Dosage
1	10 mg/day
2	15 mg/day
3-8	20 mg/day

The above dosages are common for beginners during their first SARM cycle. They typically begin with 10–15 mg/day for the first two weeks to introduce Ostarine to the body, with the dosage increasing to a moderate dose of 20 mg/day for the following 6 weeks.

Some individuals take up to 30 mg/day of Ostarine. However, this is considered to be a high dose and more commonly utilized by experienced users.

Our female patients have reported taking 5–10 mg/day of Ostarine for 4–8 weeks.

Ostarine has a half-life of 24 hours, so it is typically administered once per day (8).

The above user detailed his cycle on Reddit. He took 20 mg/day of Ostarine for 45 days and lost 3 kg (7 lb), notably reducing his body fat while simultaneously adding significant amounts of muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Dr. Nicholas Downey says, “Ostarine can be viewed as more powerful than Anavar milligram for milligram,” based on existing research (9, 10). However, Dr. Downey adds that Ostarine’s side effects may be comparable to anabolic steroids, even at a lower dose (11).

Adverse Effects

We have found Ostarine’s side effects to be less toxic than other SARMs (12). However, Ostarine remains capable of causing:

• Hepatitis
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hypogonadism

A randomized controlled trial found that 500 mg/day of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can reduce alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels (13). This may help reduce harm to the liver during Ostarine cycles.

Furthermore, studies have shown that the following protocols reduce blood pressure:

• 4 g/day of fish oil (14)
• A diet rich in unsaturated fats (15)
• Regular cardiovascular exercise (16)

Grant et al. (2023) found that post-cycle therapy (PCT) can be utilized upon cycle cessation to accelerate hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) recovery (17).

One effective PCT protocol among our bodybuilding patients is 20 mg/day of Nolvadex (tamoxifen), taken for 4 weeks. This has also been an efficacious method in research (18).

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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2. RAD-140

RAD-140 (Testolone, Testalone, Vosilasarm, EP0062) is considered by some weightlifters to be the best SARM due to its beneficial effects on:

• Muscle hypertrophy
• Strength

RAD-140 does not affect aromatization, and LoRusso et al. (2021) concluded it to have an “acceptable safety profile” (19).

We have seen RAD-140 users build up to 15 pounds of lean muscle while burning notable amounts of fat. Our patients have reported increasing their muscular strength on compound lifts by 20–30%. RAD-140’s potent anabolic nature means it is primarily labeled as a “bulking SARM” in the fitness community, giving promise for the treatment of cachexia in the medical world.

RAD-140 is not generally taken as a first SARM cycle due to its harshness compared to Ostarine. Thus, beginners typically cycle RAD-140 after supplementing with Ostarine. However, this is not considered a safe practice, with even the “mildest” of SARMs exhibiting toxicity.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	10 mg/day

Bodybuilders typically take 10–20 mg/day of RAD-140 for 6–12 weeks. Anecdotally, we have observed significant results being achieved at 10 mg/day. Beyond this dosage, further results are likely to be minimal while exacerbating side effects.

Experienced users who have built up a level of tolerance to RAD-140 commonly increase their dosage to 15–20 mg/day.

Based on current research, RAD-140’s half-life is approximately 60 hours (20). Thus, daily dosing may not be essential for peak concentrations in the bloodstream. However, a common protocol for bodybuilders is to take RAD-140 once per day, as it was previously thought to possess a half-life of 20 hours.

The above Reddit user took 10 mg/day of RAD-140 for 7 weeks, contributing to a 6.2 kg increase in lean body mass and a 2.8% reduction in body fat. He did not experience any discernible side effects from his cycle, except for increased perspiration (hyperhidrosis).

His strength improved by approximately 20% on the following exercises:

• Bench press
• Squat
• Deadlift

Adverse Effects

RAD-140 can replicate the same side effects as Ostarine but with additional intensity. Thus, the following side effects are possible:

• Transaminitis (elevated liver enzymes)
• Testosterone suppression
• Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (21, 22, 23)

We have observed conservative dosages of 10 mg/day decreasing the severity of RAD-140’s side effects. Additionally, supplementing with 500 mg/day of TUDCA and 4 g/day of fish oil may reduce:

• Hepatotoxicity
• Cardiotoxicity

Bodybuilders commonly supplement with 20 mg/day for 4 weeks, accelerating full restoration of the HPTA. However, it is worth noting that off-label use of Nolvadex is illegal and must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription in the US.

Hair loss or acne vulgaris may be experienced by individuals genetically susceptible to:

• Androgenetic alopecia
• Overstimulated sebaceous glands

These two side effects are possible due to RAD-140 indirectly affecting natural 5-alpha-reductase levels.

3. LGD-4033

LGD-4033 (Ligandrol, VK5211, Anabolicum) is a SARM typically used by weightlifters in the offseason. We typically see LGD-4033 produce greater weight gain than RAD-140. However, both SARMs typically produce equal amounts of muscle and strength.

We have found that LGD-4033 can increase natural aromatization levels, thereby increasing estrogen. This contributes to additional water retention, potentially obscuring muscle definition.

We have observed LGD-4033 users gain up to 20 pounds, with approximately 25% of this being water weight. Some users respond more positively to LGD-4033 and others to RAD-140. Therefore, it is advisable for researchers to experiment with each of these compounds for cachexia-related studies.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	6 mg/day

Dosages of LGD-4033 typically range from 4 to 10 mg/day, with 6 mg/day being a common protocol among weightlifters. According to Basaria et al. (2010), LGD-4033 may be administered once per day to research subjects, with it possessing a half-life of 24–36 hours (24).

The above user experienced exceptional results in:

• Muscle hypertrophy
• Strength
• Subcutaneous fat loss

He detailed on Reddit that he ingested a substantial dose of 10 mg/day for 8 weeks, which contributed to a 20-pound gain of fat-free mass.

Despite taking a higher dose, this user did not report any unpleasant side effects, except for an insignificant bout of acne vulgaris.

He did not administer post-cycle therapy due to the absence of low testosterone symptoms.

Although this user did not experience any obvious toxicity, it is advised that individuals have their bloodwork monitored pre-, during, and post-cycle by a physician.

Adverse Effects

LGD-4033 can mimic the same side effects as RAD-140, to approximately the same degree. Thus, dyslipidemia, peliosis hepatis, and testosterone suppression remain possible and have been documented in research (25).

Therefore, the following supplements may be beneficial for harm reduction purposes:

• Fish oil: 4 g/day
• TUDCA: 500 mg/day
• Nolvadex: 20 mg/day

LGD-4033 does not typically cause androgenic side effects such as male pattern baldness, as we do not observe any notable fluctuations in the rate of 5-alpha-reductase.

However, aromatization levels can increase indirectly, potentially causing mild gynecomastia and edema in users who are genetically sensitive to high estrogen.

4. Cardarine

Cardarine (GW501516, Endurobol, GSK-516, GW1516) is a PPARD (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) agonist; however, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a SARM.

Studies have shown that the two main benefits of Cardarine are adipose tissue reduction and enhanced muscular endurance (26, 27). We have had patients experience up to 40 pounds of weight loss following 8- to 12-week cycles. Cardarine also improved endurance in rats by 68% over the course of 3 weeks (28). This effect can be attributed to Cardarine inducing mitochondrial biogenesis.

Cardarine decreases fat mass by significantly improving:

• Insulin sensitivity
• Lipid balance
• Glucose tolerance

This consequently transitions the body from previously burning glucose for energy to adipose tissue.

Clinical research also suggests that Cardarine has mild anabolic properties (29), which may benefit research subjects experiencing muscle atrophy.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	10 mg/day

Weightlifters typically take Cardarine in dosages of 10–20 mg/day for 8–12 weeks. Our patients often report lower dosages and shorter cycles producing positive outcomes.

Cardarine has a half-life of 24 hours, and thus research subjects only need one dose per day for stable blood concentrations.

Another Reddit user pictured above cycled Cardarine at 10 mg/day during week 1 and 20 mg/day during weeks 2–8. His weight dropped from 205 pounds to 165 pounds.

The above Reddit user cycled Cardarine for 4 weeks at 10 mg/day, enabling him to reduce his weight by 20 pounds. This example demonstrates that low dosages of Cardarine and short cycles remain efficacious for weight loss.

Adverse Effects

Cardarine is not technically a SARM, and thus, it has differing side effects, according to Kintz et al. (2021) (30). Cardarine has not been shown to cause impairment to the HPTA, and thus, endogenous testosterone levels commonly remain at a standard level.

A randomized controlled trial found that cholesterol levels improve with Cardarine (31), making it a cardioprotective option when combined with SARM research, as it can reduce HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels.

However, due to Cardarine being administered orally, we have found it to be disadvantageous to liver health. Therefore, weightlifters who stack Cardarine with multiple hepatotoxic SARMs are at risk of developing peliosis hepatis.

Rodent research has shown Cardarine to be carcinogenic when utilized in dosages of 5 mg/kg per day for prolonged periods. It is unknown if Cardarine causes cancer in humans due to a lack of clinical research. However, if an individual has proliferated cancerous tumors, Cardarine is likely to exacerbate this condition (32).

We are aware of male and female patients who have taken Cardarine in the short term successfully without malignancy. However, its long-term effects may contradict current short-term anecdotal observations.

Cardarine’s carcinogenic risk may also be dependent on the individual’s predisposition to cancer, the dosage utilized, and the duration of use.

5. Stenabolic

Stenabolic, or SR9009, is a REV-ERB agonist and therefore is not technically a SARM (33). Thomas Burris, Ph.D., formulated Stenabolic and claims that SR9009 can exhibit anabolic and lipolytic effects triggered by oxidative stress in animal research (34). He compares this chemical process to how humans build muscle and burn fat through exercise.

REV-ERB agonists work by modifying an individual’s circadian rhythm (35). Thus, they are formulated to induce wakefulness during daylight hours. A patient of ours who works from home was nocturnal, preferring to work during the night. However, he reported a shift in sleeping and waking during “normal hours” when taking Stenabolic.

How Does Stenabolic Burn Fat?

Existing research indicates improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism on Stenabolic, increasing basal metabolic rate (36).

Stenabolic also possesses direct fat-burning properties, as it shifts the body’s primary energy source from glucose to fat stores.

We have found Stenabolic to be equally as potent as Cardarine for burning fat, making it a potential cancer-free alternative compound. Research subjects are likely to experience:

• Enhanced fatty acid oxidation
• Significantly improved muscular endurance (37)

How Much Fat Can Subjects Lose From Stenabolic?

We have observed users decrease their body fat by 5% from Stenabolic when administered correctly. Stenabolic has a very low biological availability when taken in pill form. The most optimal methods to administer Stenabolic are by injecting it or taking it sublingually. Merely swallowing it is unlikely to be sufficient for the absorption of this compound.

Taking Stenabolic sublingually involves placing the solution under the tongue for 10–15 seconds before swallowing. This enables a fast and efficient entry into the bloodstream due to sufficient contact with the mucous membrane, thus bypassing first-pass metabolism (38).

The following dosages are tailored for research subjects administering Stenabolic sublingually.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	30 mg/day

Typical Stenabolic dosages can range from 20 to 30 mg/day. As Stenabolic has a short half-life of 4–6 hours, theoretically it could be administered to subjects three times per day:

• 10 mg at breakfast
• 10 mg at lunch
• 10 mg at dinner

This user took 20 mg/day of Stenabolic for 8 weeks in combination with 15–20 mg/day of RAD-140.

He reported on Reddit that he lost approximately 5% of body fat and added 8 pounds of muscle tissue while eating in a 500-calorie deficit.

Adverse Effects

Stenabolic users generally report few side effects. However, a temporary stimulative effect on the central nervous system can be expected.

Thus, certain users may experience increased sweating, caused by higher epinephrine levels.

Researchers may combine Stenabolic with Cardarine or Ostarine for enhanced fat loss and muscle retention. A standard Ostarine dosage is 20 mg/day for 8 weeks.

6. RAD-140, LGD-4033, and MK-677

Intermediate users who have already conducted several SARM cycles commonly cycle the following compounds simultaneously for increased muscle hypertrophy:

• RAD-140
• LGD-4033
• MK-677

MK-677, or ibutamoren, is a growth hormone secretagogue (39, 40) that is sometimes combined with SARMs to:

• Enhance anabolism
• Reduce subcutaneous fat

MK-677’s muscle-building effects are generally considered more prominent than its lipolytic properties. Therefore, it is more commonly utilized to increase fat-free mass.

We have received reports of MK-677 adding 6 pounds of lean muscle tissue to first-time users. When utilized with RAD-140 and LGD-4033, muscle hypertrophy and strength can increase notably.

“MK-677 raises growth hormone and IGF-1 levels as it binds to ghrelin receptors,” says Robin Riddle, FNP-C. This enhances anabolism in the body. Riddle also explains that MK-677 has demonstrated appetite-stimulating or hyperphagic effects in research, aiding users in their attempts to:

• Gain weight (41)
• Increase muscle mass (42)

The main side effect Riddle has observed in clinical literature is water retention, with other benefits being increased bone mineral density and improved sleep quality (43).

A RAD-140, LGD-4033, and MK-677 stack is not typically taken by beginners. Instead, intermediates who have previously cycled LGD-4033 or RAD-140 with acceptable side effects are more inclined to utilize it.

Such a stack enables users to increase muscle mass after initial growth spurts from RAD-140-only and LGD-4033-only cycles.

Weeks	LGD-4033 Dosage	RAD 140 Dosage	MK-677 Dosage
1-2	5 mg/day	5 mg/day	10 mg/day
3-8	5 mg/day	15 mg/day	20 mg/day

The above user cycled MK-677, RAD-140, and LGD-4033 together, inducing positive improvements in muscle:

• Hypertrophy
• Thickness
• Strength

He published his results on Facebook, and they are typical of an individual who has a history of SARM or anabolic steroid use and then utilizes a potent bulking stack to overcome a hypertrophy plateau.

Adverse Effects

We consider RAD-140, LGD-4033, and MK-677 to be a harsh SARM cycle. Cholesterol levels can surge, as well as ALT and AST enzymes (presenting significant cardiac and hepatic issues). With an aggressive stack like this, we typically see users experience notable suppression. Consequently, an aggressive PCT is required to recover endogenous testosterone.

What Medications Can Restore HPTA Function?

The following PCT protocol, designed by Dr. Michael Scally, has helped restore endogenous testosterone levels in hypogonadal men:

• HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, Novarel, Ovidrel, Pregnyl): 2000 IU administered every other day for 20 days
• Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): 2 x 20 mg for 45 days
• Clomiphene (Clomid): 2 x 50 mg for 30 days

Clinical trials have used this trio of medications to treat hypogonadal men with 100% success within 45 days.

MK-677 can cause an increase in visceral fat, leading to a bloated appearance in the midsection. Visceral fat is the internal adipose tissue surrounding the organs, which various anabolic steroids can increase, causing a steroid gut effect (44).

MK-677 can also exacerbate blood pressure due to raised blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation. RAD-140 and LGD-4033 may also raise blood pressure due to reductions in HDL cholesterol. Therefore, blood pressure should be closely monitored during this cycle via a sphygmomanometer.

What is Dr. Emer’s Perspective on MK-677?

Despite MK-677 posing several adverse effects, Dr. Jason Emer states that it has benefits for the following research objectives:

• Improved body composition
• Overall health
• Longevity

Dr. Emer says he has observed patients combine it with semaglutide (Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) and other peptides, successfully reducing blood sugar levels. This has also been observed in a 2025 study (45).

However, users are advised to exercise caution when utilizing MK-677, as certain clinical studies suggest that it may elevate fasting blood glucose levels, potentially resulting in hyperglycemia (46, 47).

FAQs

How Long Should Users Rest Between SARM Cycles?

For adequate recovery, we have found that a user’s rest duration should at least equal the cycle time. Thus, if a SARM cycle lasts 8 weeks, users should recover for a minimum of 8 weeks. Research subjects should also be in optimal health before receiving SARM treatment.

Are There Potential Negative Interactions Post-SARM Cycle?

In our experience, complications following SARM use vary and are specific to the individual’s health history and the SARMs utilized. According to Chong et al. (2024), SARM users can experience:

• Testicular atrophy
• Decreased well-being
• Increased fatigue (48)

We have discovered that these symptoms typically ameliorate several weeks after cycle cessation when the HPTA regulates. However, long-term HPTA dysfunction remains possible.

Are the Outcomes of SARM Cycles Temporary or Permanent?

We commonly see fat loss results maintained post-cycle, assuming the person eats maintenance calories or less. Muscle hypertrophy is mostly retained post-cycle if users continue lifting weights.

LGD-4033 users are likely to lose approximately 20% of their weight post-cycle, which can be attributed to water loss.

Endurance results from Cardarine and Stenabolic can decline post-cycle. However, regular cardiovascular exercise can maintain the majority of the results.

Can SARMs Affect Mood?

Our patients frequently report an improvement in their overall well-being during SARM cycles.

However, this is believed to be a temporary phenomenon, where a decrease in mood is observed post-cycle until endogenous testosterone levels return to normal.

Can SARMs Enhance Performance in Sports?

SARMs have been employed in sports, as evidenced by Ryan Garcia’s detection of Ostarine in his system following his boxing match against Devon Haney. Several of our bodybuilding patients have also utilized SARMs to enhance fat metabolism and promote muscle growth.

Athletes are advised to consult the appropriate governing bodies to determine whether SARMs are permissible in their respective sports.

Are SARMs Addictive?

The potential for dependency on SARMs may be contingent upon the compound(s) administered and the user’s susceptibility to addiction. In our experience, the risk of addiction appears to be lower than that of anabolic steroids. This may be due to lower levels of anabolism and more acute reductions in endogenous testosterone on SARMs.

Consequently, we find that users do not generally experience the same degree of euphoria as a steroid cycle, yet the post-cycle phase can be less problematic.

Do Liquid SARMs Display Enhanced Bioavailability?

We have found liquid SARMs to have increased bioavailability compared to capsules. Nevertheless, the latter method of administration can still produce favorable results.

How Are Liquid SARMs Taken?

Some users place the liquid into their mouth and swallow.

In contrast, other users administer them sublingually. This entails positioning the liquid under the tongue and allowing it to remain for a period of 10 to 30 seconds before swallowing.

In our experience, the latter method can be more efficacious because it has a larger degree of contact with the mucous membrane.

Can Grapefruit Juice Increase the Absorption of SARMs?

Studies have shown that grapefruit juice has the potential to enhance the bioavailability of specific medications by inhibiting an enzyme known as cytochrome P450 3A4, or CYP3A4 (49). Our patients have reported that the therapeutic effects of SARMs are amplified when combined with grapefruit juice. However, the severity of adverse effects may also increase.

What is the Price of SARMs?

The price of SARMs can fluctuate based on the brand and products purchased. Although more expensive, sources that offer certificates of analysis guarantee the compound’s purity and authenticity.

Can Researchers Cycle SARMs Alongside Anabolic Steroids?

We have observed anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) being stacked with SARMs on a couple of occasions in patients. Therefore, we have not found it to be a common practice. One individual combined Anavar (oxandrolone, Anavir, Oxandrin) with RAD-140, while another individual stacked LGD-4033 with testosterone.

Our observations suggest that combining SARMs with steroids is unlikely to produce substantially superior outcomes compared to the solitary use of anabolic steroids.

This may be due to SARMs not being as effective at stimulating anabolism while still presenting certain levels of toxicity (50, 51).

Can SARMs Be Injected?

It is possible to administer SARMs through injection for research use. However, this method is less prevalent than oral administration, as the manufacturing processes are generally designed for oral consumption.

Summary: What Are the Pros and Cons of Cycling Multiple SARMs?

Several advantages of SARM stacking include:

• Increased anabolism
• Enhanced muscular strength
• Further reductions in fat-free mass

However, a potential disadvantage of cycling multiple SARMs simultaneously is increased toxicity and damage to the HPTA.

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