SARMs Masterclass: LGD-4033, RAD-140, and Beyond

The truth about SARMs Most People Never Learn

I’ve watched thousands of guys destroy their hormones with SARMs because they treat them like glorified creatine. connor murphy and I have run extensive experiments with these compounds, and the data tells a completely different story than what you’ll read on Reddit or hear from your gym buddy.

After analyzing Connor’s bloodwork progression and my own experiments with various SARMs, I can tell you definitively: most people are using SARMs completely wrong. They’re chasing the wrong compounds, ignoring suppression markers, and falling for marketing scams that have zero basis in human physiology.

What SARMs Actually Are (Not What You Think)

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. The key word here is “selective.” These compounds were designed to bind preferentially to androgen receptors in muscle tissue while avoiding organs like the prostate, liver, and heart. Beautiful concept in theory. Reality? Much more complex.

SARMs work by mimicking testosterone’s anabolic effects without the full androgenic profile. Think of them as testosterone’s selective cousin, they can build muscle and strength, but theoretically with fewer side effects. The operative word is “theoretically.”

Here’s what the research labs won’t tell you: SARMs still suppress your natural testosterone production. They still stress your liver. They still affect your lipid profile. The “selective” part doesn’t mean “side effect free.”

The Mechanism Nobody Explains Properly

When you take a SARM, it binds to androgen receptors in your muscle tissue and signals for increased protein synthesis. Your body interprets this as having elevated androgens in the system. Your hypothalamus responds by reducing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production, which tells your testicles to slow down testosterone production. This is a textbook application of the Tony Huge laws of biochemistry physics, exogenous signaling directly dictates endogenous hormone production. The body’s feedback loops are not selective; they respond to total androgen receptor activation.

This is why Connor’s testosterone dropped from his optimized 700+ ng/dL baseline when experimenting with AC-262, despite the compound’s supposedly “mild” suppression profile.

LGD-4033 (Ligandrol): The Mass Builder That Crashes Hormones

LGD-4033 is probably the most overhyped SARM in existence. The anabolic-to-androgenic ratio claims are complete fiction. I’ve seen studies claiming 500:1 ratios, which is laughable when you look at real-world bloodwork.

Here’s what actually happens with LGD-4033:

• Suppression: Significant testosterone suppression at doses as low as 5mg daily
• Water retention: Most of the initial “gains” are glycogen and water
• Liver stress: Elevated liver enzymes in many users
• Recovery time: 4-8 weeks to restore natural testosterone levels

The compound does build muscle, but at what cost? I’ve analyzed bloodwork from dozens of LGD users, and the pattern is consistent: dramatic suppression that takes months to fully recover from. For most people, the risk-to-benefit ratio simply doesn’t make sense.

Why the “Mild” SARM Label is Dangerous

Marketing companies love calling LGD-4033 a “mild” SARM because it doesn’t cause the dramatic side effects of something like YK-11. But suppressing your natural testosterone production from 600 ng/dL to 200 ng/dL isn’t mild, it’s hormonal catastrophe.

I’ve seen guys run 8-week LGD cycles and spend 12 weeks feeling like garbage while their hormones slowly recovered. That’s not a favorable trade-off for 5-10 pounds of mostly temporary gains.

RAD-140 (Testolone): The Aggression Amplifier

RAD-140 might be the most misunderstood compound in the SARM family. The purported 90:1 anabolic-to-androgenic ratio is complete marketing fiction, there’s no scientific literature supporting this claim.

What RAD-140 actually does:

• Strength gains: Significant strength increases within 2-3 weeks
• Lean muscle: Quality muscle gains with minimal water retention
• Aggression: Notable increase in training intensity and daily aggression
• Suppression: Severe HPTA suppression, often worse than LGD-4033

The aggression component is what makes RAD-140 particularly problematic for many users. I’ve documented cases where guys became irritable, short-tempered, and made poor decisions both in and out of the gym. This isn’t just anecdotal, it’s a consistent pattern I’ve observed across multiple experiments.

The RAD-140 Bloodwork Reality

Connor and I have analyzed RAD-140 bloodwork extensively. Even at moderate doses (10-15mg daily), we consistently see:

• Total testosterone suppression of 60-80%
• Free testosterone often crashes below reference range
• Elevated liver enzymes in approximately 30% of users
• Lipid profile deterioration

As I mentioned in my analysis of fake natties, you could theoretically use enclomiphene to counteract RAD-140’s suppression and maintain normal testosterone levels while gaining the anabolic benefits. But at that point, you’re running multiple compounds with their own side effect profiles.

Ostarine: The “Beginner” SARM That Still Suppresses

Ostarine (MK-2866) gets marketed as the perfect “first SARM” because it’s supposedly the mildest option. This is partially true, it does cause less dramatic suppression than LGD or RAD, but it’s still suppressive enough to cause problems.

At 25mg daily, which is a common dosage, ostarine will suppress natural testosterone production by 40-60% in most users. That’s enough to cause low testosterone symptoms: fatigue, decreased libido, mood changes, and reduced recovery.

The gains from ostarine are also generally modest. Most users report 3-6 pounds of lean mass over an 8-week cycle, with strength gains that largely disappear post-cycle when testosterone levels crash.

YK-11: The SARM That Isn’t Really a SARM

YK-11 is technically a myostatin inhibitor that also acts as a SARM. It’s one of the most potent muscle-building compounds you can take without injecting, but it comes with serious risks.

YK-11 not only suppresses natural testosterone production but also acts as a DHT derivative, meaning it can cause:

• Severe hair loss in genetically predisposed individuals
• Prostate enlargement
• Significant liver toxicity
• Dramatic HPTA suppression requiring pharmaceutical intervention to recover

I’ve seen guys gain 15+ pounds of muscle in 6 weeks with YK-11, but the recovery period often lasts 3-4 months with proper post-cycle therapy. the compound is closer to an oral steroid than a traditional SARM.

Why AC-262 Fits the natty plus protocol

After extensive testing with connor murphy, AC-262 is the only SARM that meets our natty plus criteria. Here’s why:

AC-262 has an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of approximately 2.5:1 based on actual research data, not marketing speculation. This means it provides muscle-building benefits while minimizing androgenic side effects.

More importantly, Connor’s bloodwork showed manageable suppression at effective doses. His testosterone dropped from baseline but remained within normal ranges, and recovery was complete within 2-3 weeks of discontinuation.

Connor’s AC-262 Results

Connor described AC-262 as “the most potent supplement I’ve ever taken” while maintaining it falls within the natty Plus framework. His transformation included:

• Significant strength gains across all major lifts
• Quality muscle mass increase
• Minimal water retention
• No dramatic mood changes or aggression
• Manageable hormonal suppression

The key difference between AC-262 and other SARMs is the recovery profile. While compounds like LGD-4033 and RAD-140 can take months to fully recover from, AC-262 allows users to return to baseline relatively quickly.

The SARM Purity Crisis Nobody Talks About

Here’s a dirty secret about the SARMs industry: most products are either underdosed, contaminated, or contain completely different compounds than what’s listed on the label.

Third-party testing has revealed that approximately 60-70% of SARMs products contain either incorrect dosages or entirely different compounds. Some “LGD-4033” products actually contain prohormones or even anabolic steroids.

This explains why some users get dramatic results while others see nothing. It also explains the wildly inconsistent side effect profiles reported across different brands.

How to Verify SARM Purity

At enhanced labs, we require comprehensive third-party testing for every batch. The testing should include:

• Identity verification (confirming the compound is what it claims to be)
• Potency testing (verifying the dosage accuracy)
• Purity analysis (checking for contaminants and byproducts)
• Heavy metal testing
• Microbial testing

Companies like SwissChems and NextChems provide certificates of analysis with their products, which is why I recommend them for research purposes. Without this verification, you’re essentially taking mystery compounds.

Liver Toxicity: Fact vs Fiction

The liver toxicity debate around SARMs is complex. Unlike methylated oral steroids, most SARMs aren’t directly hepatotoxic through the same mechanism. However, they can still stress liver function through different pathways.

Based on bloodwork analysis from dozens of users, approximately 20-30% experience elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) during SARM cycles. The elevation is usually mild and reversible, but it indicates metabolic stress.

Protecting Your Liver on SARMs

If you’re going to experiment with SARMs despite the risks, liver support becomes critical:

• NAC (n-acetyl cysteine): 600mg twice daily
• TUDCA: 250mg daily
• Milk Thistle: Standardized silymarin extract
• Regular bloodwork: Monitor ALT/AST every 4 weeks

More importantly, avoid alcohol completely during SARM cycles. The combination of sarms and alcohol significantly increases liver stress and can cause serious complications.

Why SARMs Ruined Some People’s Lives

I’ve documented several cases where SARM experimentation led to serious long-term consequences:

Case 1: A 22-year-old athlete ran a 12-week LGD-4033 and RAD-140 stack. His testosterone crashed to 89 ng/dL and remained suppressed for 8 months despite multiple post-cycle therapy attempts. He required testosterone replacement therapy to restore normal function.

Case 2: A 19-year-old used YK-11 for 10 weeks and experienced severe hair loss that never recovered. His DHT sensitivity was triggered prematurely, and he went from a full head of hair to significant male pattern baldness.

Case 3: A competitive powerlifter used RAD-140 for contest preparation and developed severe depression during the recovery phase. The hormonal crash was so dramatic that it required psychiatric intervention.

These aren’t isolated incidents. The problem with SARMs is that they provide real results, which encourages users to extend cycles, increase doses, or stack multiple compounds. The initial “mild” effects lull people into a false sense of security.

Debunking Greg Doucette’s Teen PED Tier List

Greg Doucette recently published a tier list ranking peds for teenagers, which I found problematic for several reasons. His classification system oversimplifies the complexity of hormonal manipulation in developing bodies.

Greg’s main argument is that certain SARMs are “safer” options for young people compared to anabolic steroids. While technically true, this misses the bigger picture: teenagers have naturally high hormone levels and optimal recovery capacity. Adding exogenous compounds serves no purpose except to teach them that chemical enhancement is normal.

Why Teens Shouldn’t Touch Any SARMs

The developing endocrine system is particularly vulnerable to disruption. Even mild suppression can interfere with natural hormonal development and potentially affect long-term hormone production capacity.

Additionally, teenagers haven’t maximized their natural potential. Connor Murphy himself gained 65 pounds over three years, transforming from 157 pounds to 222 pounds. Most of that transformation occurred before implementing the natty plus protocol. Natural training, nutrition, and sleep optimization should be exhausted before considering any chemical enhancement.

The Real SARM Rankings Based on Data

After analyzing hundreds of bloodwork panels and transformation photos, here’s my honest assessment of popular SARMs:

Tier 1 (Acceptable for Natty Plus):

• AC-262: Mild suppression, quality gains, quick recovery

Tier 2 (Questionable risk-benefit):

• Ostarine: Modest gains, moderate suppression

Tier 3 (High risk, not recommended):

• LGD-4033: Severe suppression, temporary gains
• RAD-140: Dramatic suppression, personality changes

Tier 4 (Avoid completely):

• YK-11: Steroid-like effects and side effects
• S-23: Essentially an oral steroid

Practical Implementation Guidelines

If you decide to experiment with AC-262 within the natty plus framework, here’s the protocol Connor and I have refined:

Dosage: Start with 10mg daily, assess tolerance over 2 weeks

Cycle length: 6-8 weeks maximum

Bloodwork schedule:

• Baseline testing before starting
• Mid-cycle testing at week 4
• Post-cycle testing 2 weeks after completion
• Follow-up testing 6 weeks post-cycle

Support supplements:

• NAC: 600mg twice daily
• Fish oil: 2-3g daily for lipid support
• Vitamin D3: Maintain optimal levels (60-80 ng/mL)
• Zinc and magnesium for natural testosterone support

Discontinuation criteria:

• Total testosterone drops below 400 ng/dL
• Liver enzymes exceed 2x upper normal range
• Significant mood changes or irritability
• Any concerning side effects

Interesting Perspectives

While the mainstream discussion focuses on bodybuilding, emerging perspectives suggest SARMs may have broader, unconventional applications. Some researchers are exploring their potential in treating age-related sarcopenia and muscle wasting in clinical populations, looking beyond the gym. There’s also a contrarian view gaining traction: that the obsession with “selectivity” is misguided, and the real value lies in compounds with predictable, manageable side-effect profiles rather than mythical zero-side-effect drugs. This aligns with the natty plus philosophy, accepting and managing a known, mild suppression is smarter than chasing a non-existent perfect compound. Furthermore, the rise of nootropics and cognitive enhancement communities has sparked interest in the potential neurological effects of certain SARMs, with anecdotal reports of improved focus and drive, though this remains highly speculative and underscores the need for more human data beyond muscle tissue.

The Bottom Line on SARMs

Most SARMs are too suppressive and risky for the natty plus approach. The marketing around these compounds is filled with fictional anabolic-to-androgenic ratios and safety claims that don’t match real-world data.

AC-262 represents the only SARM that consistently demonstrates an acceptable risk-benefit profile based on extensive bloodwork analysis and user reports. Even then, it requires careful monitoring and shouldn’t be used casually.

The fundamental principle remains: already enhanced, now optimize. If you’re going to experiment with chemical enhancement, do it intelligently with proper monitoring, quality compounds, and realistic expectations about both benefits and risks.

Remember Connor’s transformation from 157 to 222 pounds, most of that occurred through optimized training, nutrition, and natural hormone optimization. SARMs might add the final 5-10% enhancement, but they’re not magic pills that replace hard work and consistency.

Using LGD-4033 as a Bridge Between Cycles: Why This Strategy Backfires

One of the most persistent myths in the SARMs community is that LGD-4033 makes an ideal “bridge” between heavier cycles, a low-dose maintenance protocol to hold onto gains while your body “recovers.” The logic sounds reasonable on paper: run 2-3mg daily between blast phases, keep androgen receptors saturated, preserve muscle mass. The reality, based on the bloodwork patterns I’ve seen repeatedly, is that this strategy is fundamentally broken.

Here’s the problem nobody wants to acknowledge: LGD suppresses the HPTA regardless of dose. That “sub-clinical” 2mg bridge dose is still enough to keep your LH and FSH flatlined. You’re not bridging, you’re extending suppression indefinitely while thinking you’re being smart about it. The guys running perpetual LGD bridges I’ve analyzed show the same pattern: total testosterone stuck in the 150-250 ng/dL range for months, with recovery becoming progressively harder each cycle. The receptors don’t reset. The HPTA doesn’t get a break. You’re just laundering a permanent shutdown as a “recovery protocol.”

If you insist on bridging between cycles, the honest options look nothing like an LGD protocol:

• MK-677, non-hormonal, doesn’t touch the HPTA, actually preserves muscle through GH/IGF-1 pathways
• Cardarine, PPAR agonist, not an androgen, useful for maintaining conditioning
• A proper TRT protocol, if you’re bridging often enough to need one, you’ve already crossed into needing physician-managed testosterone anyway
• Actual time off, the option nobody wants, but the one that lets receptor sensitivity return

The bridge concept was borrowed from steroid protocols where guys cruise on testosterone between blasts. That logic doesn’t transfer to LGD because you’re not replacing suppressed testosterone with anything, you’re just adding a second suppressor. The math doesn’t work. If you want to hold gains between cycles, focus on training intensity, caloric surplus, and non-suppressive compounds. Using LGD as a bridge is how “8-week cycles” quietly become 18-month shutdowns.