Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
Stenabolic (SR9009) is a Rev-Erb agonist that affects circadian rhythm and metabolism. Rodent studies (Woldt et al., 2013, Nature Medicine) show increased mitochondrial activity and exercise capacity (longer treadmill running time/distance in mice), while a separate rodent study (Solt et al., 2012, Nature) showed circadian and metabolic effects, but there are no published controlled human trials, so real-world effectiveness in a training human is mechanistically plausible but unconfirmed. It does not affect hormones (no testosterone suppression, no PCT needed) and has zero direct anabolic/muscle-building effect. It is explicitly WADA-prohibited as a metabolic modulator (Rev-erbα agonist, S4.4.1). Oral bioavailability is reportedly very poor (community estimates around 1-2%, not from a formal human PK study). Rated 5 as it offers a plausible metabolic/endurance enhancement beyond natural levels but without hormonal manipulation or confirmed human efficacy data, similar to Cardarine in mechanism, but backed by thinner evidence.
Overview
A Rev-Erb agonist that improves metabolic rate and circadian rhythms. Enhances exercise capacity and metabolism without affecting hormones.
Purpose & Use Cases
Metabolic Enhancement
Increases metabolic rate and energy expenditure.
Exercise Capacity
Improves endurance and exercise performance.
Circadian Regulation
May improve sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythm.
Benefits
- Increased metabolism
- Enhanced exercise capacity
- No hormonal effects
- May improve sleep patterns
- Fat loss support
Good to Know
A Rev-ErbA agonist, not a SARM or a stimulant
SR9009 works on the circadian clock protein Rev-ErbA, ramping up mitochondrial biogenesis and fat/glucose oxidation. It has no androgenic activity, no aromatization, no HPTA suppression and no PCT requirement. It is mechanistically different from Cardarine (PPAR-delta) even though the two are marketed together as "cardio" compounds.
The human evidence is very thin, mostly mice
The headline findings: circadian/metabolic effects (Solt et al., 2012, Nature) and exercise capacity/mitochondrial biogenesis (Woldt et al., 2013, Nature Medicine), all come from mice, largely via injection. There are essentially no controlled human trials, so its real-world effect in a lifting, dieting human is mechanistically plausible but unproven. This is a place where community hype clearly outruns the data.
Oral bioavailability is poor and the half-life is short
Community/vendor estimates put oral SR9009 bioavailability in the low single-digit percent range with a ~4 hour half-life, so a large fraction of an oral dose is functionally inactive, but no formal human pharmacokinetic study has ever been published to confirm either figure. This is why users split it into 3-4 daily doses or use injectable/sublingual forms, and why claimed oral results should be read skeptically.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 10 – 20 mg/day |
| Intermediate | 20 – 30 mg/day |
| Advanced | 30 – 30 mg/day |
All human dosing/PK figures here are community- and vendor-derived, no published human pharmacokinetic or clinical trial exists for SR9009. Oral bioavailability is reportedly very poor due to first-pass hepatic metabolism (community estimates put it in the low single-digit percent range), which is why users split doses through the day or seek injectable/sublingual routes.
Widely cited community/vendor estimate; no published human pharmacokinetic study exists for SR9009.
Side Effects
Insomnia
uncommonMay disrupt sleep if taken too late in the day.
Avoid doses in the evening.
Wakefulness
commonIncreased alertness and energy.
Generally considered a benefit; time doses appropriately.
General Mitigation Strategies
Avoid late-day dosing to prevent sleep disruption. Injectable form is more bioavailable but less convenient.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Not hormonal. No PCT required.
How It Works
SR9009 binds to Rev-Erb proteins, which are involved in circadian rhythm regulation and metabolism. This increases mitochondrial activity, enhances glucose and fatty acid oxidation, and improves exercise capacity.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to Stenabolic: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- Stenabolic + Cardarine - Maximum endurance (with cancer risk caveats)
- Stenabolic + SARMs - Enhanced cutting
Legal Status
Sold in the USA as a research chemical, not for human consumption.
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
SR9009 (Stenabolic) is explicitly prohibited at all times as a metabolic modulator under S4.4.1 (Rev-erbα agonists, e.g. SR9009, SR9011) on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.
References
- SR9009 (Stenabolic), Wikipedia
- Solt et al. 2012: Regulation of circadian behaviour and metabolism by synthetic REV-ERB agonists (Nature, PMC3343186)
- Woldt et al. 2013: Rev-erb-α modulates skeletal muscle oxidative capacity by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy (Nature Medicine, PMC3737409)