Stacking SARMs 101: Protocols, Suppression, Do’s & Don’ts

What SARMs can I stack?; Do I need to run a test base?; What PCT should I use if I stack x and x?; are all questions I get on a daily basis.

Stacking SARMs is one of the most debated topics in the community, and most users tend to apply the same logic goes behind stacking AAS (anabolic-androgenic-steroids) to SARMs. The forums and Reddit are as a result filled with users that have had horrible cycle experiences from following such protocols. So, what can you stack?

This article is a guide on properly stacking SARMs, based on the latest academic data, careful analysis of thousands of online reports, and my own experiments on myself and over 500 lifetime clients in conditions deemed as controlled as possible. Enjoy!

What & What Not to Stack: Synergy

One of the main principles I personally preach is synergy:

The idea that combining PEDs that work through different pathways leads to better results than combining a bunch of PEDs with a similar mechanism of action.

Everyone wants to stack LGD-4033 and RAD-140, or Ostarine and LGD-4033, or S-23 and RAD-140, etc… In my opinion, combining regular SARMs with each other is far from optimal and often increases side-effects more than it improves benefits, making the juice not worth the squeeze.

I theorize that SARMs fight to attach to the same receptors, and that only the strongest one of the two (or rather, the one with the highest binding affinity) will attach to the receptor, kicking the other SARM out of the receptor and making it useless.

We do not have any reliable scientific data to indicate that this theory is true, but if we look at the empirical evidence it becomes obvious that, for example, combining LGD-4033 with RAD-140 only provides a small increase in muscle and strength compared to just running one or the other, but the testosterone suppression and the impact on organs becomes significantly worse.

How to Stack SARMs:

On the other hand, if we combine synergistic compounds like LGD-4033 and MK-677, or RAD-140 and YK-11, we get significantly better results and an increase in side-effects that is proportional to the strength of the second compound we have added.

Another example would be the combination of any dry SARM like Ostarine, RAD-140 or S-4 (among others) with Cardarine and/or SR-9009. Unlike stacking Ostarine with RAD-140 (which a lot of people think will burn more fat than running one or the other), by stacking any dry SARM with Cardarine and/or SR-9009, we get all the anti-catabolic, performance-enhancing and aesthetic benefits of the SARM plus the accelerated fat-loss, doubled endurance and positive impact on the lipid panel that compounds like Cardarine and SR-9009 provide.

So not only are we accelerating fat loss and improving cardiovascular capacity, but we are also counteracting one of the main side-effects of SARMs: Dyslipidemia.

RAD-140 (Testolone):

Do not stack RAD-140 with: LGD-4033, LGD-3303, S-23, S-4, MK-2866, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack RAD-140 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack RAD-140 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack RAD-140 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

LGD-4033 (Ligandrol):

Do not stack LGD-4033 with: RAD-140, LGD-3303, S-23, S-4, MK-2866, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack LGD-4033 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack LGD-4033 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack LGD-4033 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

MK-2866 (Ostarine):

Do not stack Ostarine with: RAD-140, LGD-3303, S-23, S-4, LGD-4033, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack Ostarine with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack Ostarine with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack Ostarine with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

NOTE: Some users like to stack Ostarine with other SARMs for the positive impact on the joints that it has. This theory makes sense, but in my opinion there is no need to further suppress your hormones and damage your organs for the sake of joint health, when you could be using side-effect-free joint health supplements like Fish Oil, Collagen Powder, MSM or even a peptide like BPC-157 or TB-500.

S-4 (Andarine):

Do not stack S-4 with: RAD-140, LGD-3303, S-23, MK-2866, LGD-4033, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack S-4 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack S-4 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack S-4 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

LGD-3303:

Do not stack LGD-3303 with: RAD-140, S-4 (Andarine, S-23, MK-2866, LGD-4033, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack LGD-3303 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack LGD-3303 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack LGD-3303 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

S-23:

Do not stack S-23 with: RAD-140, S-4 (Andarine), LGD-3303, MK-2866, LGD-4033, ACP-105, AC-262-536.

Do stack S-23 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack S-23 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack S-23 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

ACP-105:

Do not stack ACP-105 with: RAD-140, S-4 (Andarine), LGD-3303, MK-2866, LGD-4033, S-23, AC-262-536.

Do stack ACP-105 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack ACP-105 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack ACP-105 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

AC-262-536:

Do not stack AC-262-536 with: RAD-140, S-4 (Andarine), LGD-3303, MK-2866, LGD-4033, ACP-105, S-23.

Do stack AC-262-536 with: YK-11, MK-677, Cardarine, Stenabolic, GW-0742.

For bulking stack AC-262-536 with YK-11 and/or MK-677.

For cutting stack AC-262-536 with GW-0742, or Cardarine, or Stenabolic, and/or MK6-77.

Two SARM Cycles: Managing Testosterone Suppression

If we group SARMs together based on the level of suppression they cause, and the precatious we’d take to manage it, we would do so as follows:

• Mildly Suppressive SARMs cycles which require a low dose, 3-week, single SERM PCT:
  • MK-2866 (Ostarine)
  • S-4 (Andarine)
  • ACP-105
  • AC-262-536
• Moderately Suppressive SARMs cycles which require a higher dose, 4-week, single SERM PCT, and an optional test base:
  • RAD-140 (Testolone)
  • LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
• Highly suppressive SARMs cycles which require a high dose, 4-week, two SERM PCT, and a mandatory test base:
  • S-23
  • LGD-3303
  • YK-11

When stacking SARMs treat the cycle as a highly suppressive cycle, regardless of the SARMs used and what category of suppression we categorize them on their own.

Every SARM cycle with two SARMs should be treated as highly suppressive, warranting the need for a test base during the cycle, and a double SERM 4-week long PCT after it (unless Enclomiphene is used as a test base).

Stacking SARMs with Enclomiphene

Stacking SARMs with Enclomiphene has become extremely popular in the enhanced bodybuilding community as of lately, and what started off as an experimental practice has now become a cornerstone protocol that users swear by.

Enclomiphene can be stacked and deployed during a cycle with any of the SARMs as an on cycle testosterone base and PCT in one. It is the only SERM strong enough to be used as a test base. In fact, it is strong enough to keep testosterone levels at the upper range and even above the reference range during and after a suppressive SARM cycle.

To use Enclomiphene with RAD-140 or LGD-4033, deploy it in the 5th or 6th week of your cycle at 12.5 mg, and keep taking it for two more weeks after your cycle is over, reducing the dose to 6.25 mg/day the very last week of use.

To use Enclomiphene with LGD-3303, S-23, YK-11, or any cycle containing two SARMs, deploy it in the 2nd or 3rd week of your cycle at 12.5 mg, and keep taking it for two more weeks after your cycle is over, reducing the dose to 6.25 mg/day the very last week of use.

Do not use Enclomiphene for more than 8 weeks at a time. If your cycle exceeds 8 weeks and you want to use a test base, opt for another option.

Conclusion

Wrapping up this guide on SARM stacking, it’s clear that maximizing performance enhancement demands more than just following the crowd. The article cuts through the noise of common but misguided practices in SARM stacking, highlighting the necessity of strategic synergy over random combinations. It steers clear of the one-size-fits-all approach, instead advocating for tailored stacks that align with individual goals while minimizing the trade-off between gains and side effects.

A document I originally made for my clients. A neat map to the sphere of PEDs and supplements.

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