New Drugs on the Horizon?

[FrenchBench22]

Mike Israetel is presenting information that was published February 2024. The subjects in that study were monkeys, not humans, and the results yielded a lot of muscle growth and retention in a caloric deficit.

In a phase I trial with humans after 26 weeks, the results are not nearly as impressive as they were in the monkey study.

Here is a data table from the monkey study:
There were 4 groups.
Group 1 - No drug intervention
Group 2 - Semaglutide only
Group 3 - Semaglutide + myostatin inhibitor
Group 4 - Semaglutide + myostatin inhibitor + activin-A

Group 1 saw fat loss and some muscle loss. Group 2 saw more fat loss but also more muscle loss. Group 3 saw even more fat loss but less muscle loss. Group 4 saw significant muscle loss but some muscle GAIN. This was the study on monkeys.

Here are data tables from the 26 week study on humans:



The groups were
Group 1 - semaglutide only
Group 2 - semaglutide + low dose myostatin inhibitor
Group 3 - semaglutide + higher dose myostatin inhibitor
Group 4 - semaglutide + high dose myostatin inhibitor + activin-A

Group 1 saw average 15lbs fat loss and 8lbs muscle loss.
Group 2 saw average 17lbs fat loss and 4lbs muscle loss.
Group 3 saw average 19lbs fat loss and 4lbs muscle loss.
Group 4 saw average 25lbs fat loss and 2lbs muslce loss.

Unlike the monkey study, there was no muscle gained as far the data shows. The rate of fat loss increased significantly alongside the rate of muscle retention.

Unless we test these therapies in a caloric surplus, it is unknown at what rate they will affect rate of gain of muscle:fat (P ratio), especially with other compounds in use (anabolics, growth hormone, insulin, etc.).

In the human trial, in group 4 (Sema+mi+actA), 2 of 147 patients passed away. Both suffered cardiac events. In all the groups in the human study, ~28% subjects dropped out due to severe side effects. Studies linked below.

Monkey study data on page 20:

https://investor.regeneron.com/static-files/0ee6a193-2ac7-4dbc-8e5b-1f99473ce90b

Human trial published June 2025 -

Interim Results from Ongoing Phase 2 COURAGE Trial Confirm Potential to Improve the Quality of Semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist)-induced Weight Loss by Preserving Lean Mass

Trial demonstrated that approximately 35% of semaglutide-induced weight loss was due to loss of lean mass Combining semaglutide with muscle-preserving...

www.globenewswire.com

 

[qbkilla]

The first time I ever heard anyone mention Semaglutide and how GLP-1’s will be changing the game was 2020. We were hanging with Mike and his friends in July at his house and he started the conversation about it. He looked at me wide eyed with that “BRO! Just wait! You’ll see.”

He was dead on.

His videos can be hyperbolic, but he probably isn’t far off from reality.

I don't doubt he is very knowledgeable, although I don't find him at all useful for my goals. I was more referring to his general reputation now days. At one point he was viewed as an authority on exercise science now people just kind of roll their eyes ar the mention of him.

 

[ScoobyPrep]

im assuming these will be much like GLP1 if you just take it and starve, dont train, you lose just as much muscle as fat so you look like crap
you take them and train, eat right, add in some gear BOOM they enhance EVERYTHING while protecting health by lowering inflammation, neuro inflammation and resetting insulin sensitivity. In fact i think any bber that has to push food super high to get huge (most of us) should employ .5mg to .75mg of reta to counter these negative effects.

I gotta think even a myo statin drug would produce results without training but its when you pair it with proper nutrition, gear and training the mutants are made.

So i dont think it will ever replace hard work just enhances it.

Just my two cents

 

[Big Dave Smith]

I don't doubt he is very knowledgeable, although I don't find him at all useful for my goals. I was more referring to his general reputation now days. At one point he was viewed as an authority on exercise science now people just kind of roll their eyes ar the mention of him.

People forget that there are dozens of ways to cook a steak. One guy reverse sears. One guy grills. One guy sous vide’s. Social media is the platform where people just tell everyone else their steak tastes like shit.

That’s bodybuilding today.

 

[Sectør]

Mike Israetel is presenting information that was published February 2024. The subjects in that study were monkeys, not humans, and the results yielded a lot of muscle growth and retention in a caloric deficit.

In a phase I trial with humans after 26 weeks, the results are not nearly as impressive as they were in the monkey study.

Here is a data table from the monkey study: View attachment 228747
There were 4 groups.
Group 1 - No drug intervention
Group 2 - Semaglutide only
Group 3 - Semaglutide + myostatin inhibitor
Group 4 - Semaglutide + myostatin inhibitor + activin-A

Group 1 saw fat loss and some muscle loss. Group 2 saw more fat loss but also more muscle loss. Group 3 saw even more fat loss but less muscle loss. Group 4 saw significant muscle loss but some muscle GAIN. This was the study on monkeys.

Here are data tables from the 26 week study on humans:
View attachment 228749
View attachment 228750

The groups were
Group 1 - semaglutide only
Group 2 - semaglutide + low dose myostatin inhibitor
Group 3 - semaglutide + higher dose myostatin inhibitor
Group 4 - semaglutide + high dose myostatin inhibitor + activin-A

Group 1 saw average 15lbs fat loss and 8lbs muscle loss.
Group 2 saw average 17lbs fat loss and 4lbs muscle loss.
Group 3 saw average 19lbs fat loss and 4lbs muscle loss.
Group 4 saw average 25lbs fat loss and 2lbs muslce loss.

Unlike the monkey study, there was no muscle gained as far the data shows. The rate of fat loss increased significantly alongside the rate of muscle retention.

Unless we test these therapies in a caloric surplus, it is unknown at what rate they will affect rate of gain of muscle:fat (P ratio), especially with other compounds in use (anabolics, growth hormone, insulin, etc.).

In the human trial, in group 4 (Sema+mi+actA), 2 of 147 patients passed away. Both suffered cardiac events. In all the groups in the human study, ~28% subjects dropped out due to severe side effects. Studies linked below.

Monkey study data on page 20:

https://investor.regeneron.com/static-files/0ee6a193-2ac7-4dbc-8e5b-1f99473ce90b

Human trial published June 2025 -

Interim Results from Ongoing Phase 2 COURAGE Trial Confirm Potential to Improve the Quality of Semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist)-induced Weight Loss by Preserving Lean Mass

Trial demonstrated that approximately 35% of semaglutide-induced weight loss was due to loss of lean mass Combining semaglutide with muscle-preserving...

www.globenewswire.com

amazing post. Definitely appreciate you sharing this.

I just think there’s too many unknowns/potential risks with myostatin inhibitors to consider it myself, but I look forward to seeing people’s anecdotal experience reports when these do eventually get synthesized UGL by the china chemical companies

 

[bbxtreme]

im assuming these will be much like GLP1 if you just take it and starve, dont train, you lose just as much muscle as fat so you look like crap
you take them and train, eat right, add in some gear BOOM they enhance EVERYTHING while protecting health by lowering inflammation, neuro inflammation and resetting insulin sensitivity. In fact i think any bber that has to push food super high to get huge (most of us) should employ .5mg to .75mg of reta to counter these negative effects.

I gotta think even a myo statin drug would produce results without training but its when you pair it with proper nutrition, gear and training the mutants are made.

So i dont think it will ever replace hard work just enhances it.

Just my two cents

Beat me to it. These compounds are really being created to offset the muscle loss from GLP’s.

Two reported deaths during the trials with trevogrumab, five I believe with Garetosmab along with nose bleeds and connective tissue issues. They were also created to be used in combination to offset discontinued use of each other due to effects.

Are these going to replace gear? Absolutely not IMO. These are to preserve muscle loss during a cut and will likely be another set of tools like GLP’s for competitors to use during prep.

Will some bodybuilders try and abuse them to find a new hack or where the line is? Absolutely they will. That’s bodybuilders. lol

 

[madg]

New drugs ??

IN TREN WE TRUST

 

[Lift2staysane]

If to be believed a commenter on the video said they had a friend using them and besides the expense, they drastically lowered his immune system. The person has gotten sick several times.

I haven't been sick in years. Test is king. Our body is used to it. The idea of taking something for bigger muscles that could also make it easier to get sick makes ZERO sense.

 

[Simon90]

I'll stick to what my testicles produce naturally. Testosterone and tren

 

[Siggy]

I remember hearing about myostatin inhibitors and such things about 10-15 years ago and so far nothings come of it. Even if these latest things do have potential by the time they actually get released (if ever) the current generation of bodybuilders will probably be retired anyway so essentially none of us of current are probably going to be getting the bodybuilding benefits from them

The myostatin inhibitors via gene therapy is an actual thing and has been tested on humans recently I believe. Im too lazy to google it

 

[finephysique]

I watch this and think if so many bodybuilders get so outraged by GLP1 drugs making fat loss and dieting too easy how outraged will they be if these start to make gaining muscle too easy

That said these would slightly piss me off knowing how many years of hard work I had put in and then someone can do it in a year with two tablets.

 

[kadafi2]

This hints at an interesting point I was thinking on my walk after lunch today.

What Israetel says at the end about this "aesthetic revolution", where everyone will be able to live in his dream body and so on - in a hypothetical scenario, where looking like a bodybuilder was as easy as swallowing a pill, a large part of what makes bodybuilding so attractive would be ruined for me. I love bodybuilding because being even moderately succesful at it is reserved exclusively to those that are willing to sacrifice a lot of time, money and hard work to reach their goal - being extremely muscular is like a badge of honour and people admire it because it is rare. What makes it so rewarding is exactly that it is so difficult and time consuming. And it is not just about the emtional reward or the admiration you get from others - it also builds your character in the process and teaches you a lot about life in general that you can then apply to other endeavors.

I don't know if I could keep on training and eating this way if a drug like this existed - it certainly would be a lot less fun.

Greatly written. It's like that with everything in life, that which is easily accessible is not attractive at all. In a world where an Audi RS5 or a Mercedes G-class would be cheap and accessible to everyone, it would not be attractive at all. If a big house with a pool were cheap and accessible to everyone, it would not be attractive. If every model spread her legs in front of us, she would not be attractive then.

Another thing, the fitness industry is worth... A LOT. And what, suddenly every gym and supplement company would disappear from the market, because all you have to do is take a pill and you're pumped up? This is not an ideal world at all, it is - apart from eliminating our hobby/passion from life - a HUGE financial blow to many companies. And on the other hand, a huge profit for others (potential manufacturers of these "magic pills").

Another thing, as already mentioned, health and life expectancy. I don't believe that such a strong interference in our body would not shorten our life significantly. And the research... monkeys are not people. Cows are not people - that's why cows need less tren than we do lol. So it won't work. I don't believe in it. It won't work tomorrow, or in 100 years.

 

[qbkilla]

I watch this and think if so many bodybuilders get so outraged by GLP1 drugs making fat loss and dieting too easy how outraged will they be if these start to make gaining muscle too easy

That said these would slightly piss me off knowing how many years of hard work I had put in and then someone can do it in a year with two tablets.

I personally think most people online who say it wouldn't bother them are lying and being sanctimonious. If we all walked out our door and saw our fatass neighbor who doesn't workout and shoves twinkies in his face...was bigger and more cut than us because he took a pill...we would all be pissd. But some would rather not admit it for whatever reason. At the end of the day hard work and discipline are traits that are useful in many aspects of life.

 

[FakeName123]

I don't know much on this topic. Is it remotely feasible to have the typical UGL chinese channels supplying us with monoclonal antibodies?

Somehow I doubt it is going to be as easy as peptides

 

[DecaForDessert]

This hints at an interesting point I was thinking on my walk after lunch today.

What Israetel says at the end about this "aesthetic revolution", where everyone will be able to live in his dream body and so on - in a hypothetical scenario, where looking like a bodybuilder was as easy as swallowing a pill, a large part of what makes bodybuilding so attractive would be ruined for me. I love bodybuilding because being even moderately succesful at it is reserved exclusively to those that are willing to sacrifice a lot of time, money and hard work to reach their goal - being extremely muscular is like a badge of honour and people admire it because it is rare. What makes it so rewarding is exactly that it is so difficult and time consuming. And it is not just about the emtional reward or the admiration you get from others - it also builds your character in the process and teaches you a lot about life in general that you can then apply to other endeavors.

I don't know if I could keep on training and eating this way if a drug like this existed - it certainly would be a lot less fun.

“A well built physique is a status symbol. It reflects you worked hard for it, no money can buy it. You cannot borrow it, you cannot inherit it, you cannot steal it. You cannot hold onto it without constant work. It shows discipline, it shows self respect, it shows patience…” - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Yeah no, if someone can just swallow a pill and replace all that time I have spent in my garage in Arizona summers, I am going to rage quit bodybuilding

xoxo

 

[DecaForDessert]

My take specifically for this type of Pharma is, no side effects, no results. As mentioned previously, myostatin inhibitors were going to be the "next evolution of bodybuilding". It is going to be the same old story, these things can do everything but leave the lab.

 

[qbkilla]

“A well built physique is a status symbol. It reflects you worked hard for it, no money can buy it. You cannot borrow it, you cannot inherit it, you cannot steal it. You cannot hold onto it without constant work. It shows discipline, it shows self respect, it shows patience…” - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Yeah no, if someone can just swallow a pill and replace all that time I have spent in my garage in Arizona summers, I am going to rage quit bodybuilding

xoxo

Great quote. I remember when I first started reading steroid forums 20 years ago, newbies would get ripped for asking about taking aas before they even built a base or had their nutrition dialed in. Now it's 2025 and everyone is encouraged to take any and every drug they can get their hands on. Not training consistently, don't track calories, up the dose...add more drugs. Lifting and eating right was the cake and drugs were the icing. Now everything is eating the icing ...and encourage to do so...before they even learn to bake a cake lol.

 

[bbxtreme]

Great quote. I remember when I first started reading steroid forums 20 years ago, newbies would get ripped for asking about taking aas before they even built a base or had their nutrition dialed in. Now it's 2025 and everyone is encouraged to take any and every drug they can get their hands on. Not training consistently, don't track calories, up the dose...add more drugs. Lifting and eating right was the cake and drugs were the icing. Now everything is eating the icing ...and encourage to do so...before they even learn to bake a cake lol.

That is how you should do it still. You’re not a bodybuilder if you don’t appreciate and love the process.

If I walk into any established gym I am lucky to see 1-2 real bodybuilders in there. 99% of them will be fitness people, meat head kids or social club people talking.

 

[neutrino]

I think some people missed the point. The target here is not to circumvent hard work. The point being made by Dr Mike: given the dramatic results IN a deficit WITHOUT exercise, imagine what could be accomplished WITH exercise, good diet, and solid exercise routine (and possibly without harmful consequences of long term abuse of AAS - obviously this key last part will require many studies over the course of many years).

But assuming that steroids synthesized half a century ago are as good as it will get is absolutely retarded.

Yes, many people will avoid the gym if they could, but I do not believe any of them are the target audience of this video, nor are many of them present on PM.

There is nothing wrong with allowing your mind to wander and toy with things that are presently seen as impossible.

 

[Big Dave Smith]

Why are we so hypocritical?

We revolt against a new PED/weight loss drug because it “makes it easier”… yet we stack 17 other drugs for the exact same reason for growth.

It’s beyond delusional and hypocritical.

The all know that some young dumb 20 something kid can take tren and anavar, grow like a weed, and that’s acceptable.

Can’t grow? Take a drug.
Precontest? Take drug.
Can’t eat? Take a drug.
Injured? Take a drug.
Side effects from drugs? Take more drugs to offset.


We literally have a drug for everything. Guys even inject oil into their arms with the false hope that it’ll somehow “create room for more muscle”.

Suddenly an appetite suppressant is bad?

Make it make sense.