SR-9009
Also known as: Stenabolic
Rev-Erb Agonist | Circadian Rhythm & Metabolic Enhancement
Overview
SR-9009 (Stenabolic) is a synthetic Rev-Erb agonist developed by Professor Thomas Burris at the Scripps Research Institute. Despite being almost universally marketed and sold alongside SARMs, SR-9009 is not a selective androgen receptor modulator and does not bind to or activate the androgen receptor in any capacity. Its mechanism is entirely distinct: it acts as an agonist of the Rev-Erb-alpha and Rev-Erb-beta nuclear receptors, which are key components of the molecular circadian clock and play critical roles in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammatory responses, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In preclinical studies conducted in mice, SR-9009 demonstrated notable effects on exercise capacity, metabolic rate, fat oxidation, and circadian rhythm regulation. Treated mice showed increased oxygen consumption, decreased fat mass, and enhanced endurance without changes in food intake. However, the most significant limitation of SR-9009 is its extremely poor oral bioavailability, estimated at approximately 2% in rodent models. This means that the vast majority of an orally administered dose is destroyed by first-pass hepatic metabolism before reaching systemic circulation. The impressive preclinical results were obtained via injection, raising serious questions about whether oral dosing in humans can achieve pharmacologically meaningful plasma concentrations. SR-9009 has never been tested in human clinical trials, is not approved for any medical use, and is classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It remains available through research chemical suppliers, where it is used in performance enhancement contexts primarily for its purported effects on fat loss, endurance, and energy levels.
Key benefits
- Enhances mitochondrial function and biogenesis in skeletal muscle, increasing oxidative capacity
- Increases exercise endurance and energy expenditure through metabolic reprogramming
- Promotes fat loss by suppressing lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation
- Non-hormonal mechanism -- does not suppress testosterone or require post-cycle therapy
- No androgenic side effects (no hair loss, no prostate stimulation, no virilization)
- May improve wakefulness, alertness, and circadian rhythm regulation through Rev-Erb modulation
- Does not cause hormonal suppression, making it stackable with SARMs without compounding HPG axis disruption
Mechanism of action
SR-9009 functions as a synthetic agonist of the Rev-Erb-alpha (NR1D1) and Rev-Erb-beta (NR1D2) nuclear receptors. Rev-Erb proteins are constitutive transcriptional repressors that form a critical negative feedback loop within the mammalian circadian clock. They repress the transcription of BMAL1 and CLOCK, core clock genes that drive circadian oscillation of gene expression throughout the body. By activating Rev-Erb receptors, SR-9009 modulates circadian gene expression and thereby influences a broad array of downstream metabolic processes. In skeletal muscle, Rev-Erb activation by SR-9009 increases mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity. The compound upregulates genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose utilization. Studies in mice demonstrated that SR-9009 treatment increased the number of mitochondria in skeletal muscle, enhanced oxygen consumption, and improved exercise endurance. In the liver, Rev-Erb activation suppresses genes involved in lipogenesis (de novo fat synthesis) and gluconeogenesis, resulting in reduced hepatic fat accumulation and improved glucose homeostasis. In adipose tissue, SR-9009 reduces fat storage by downregulating genes involved in triglyceride synthesis. The net metabolic effect is an increase in energy expenditure and a shift toward a leaner metabolic phenotype. Critically, because SR-9009 acts through the Rev-Erb pathway and not the androgen receptor, it does not cause testosterone suppression, does not affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and does not require post-cycle therapy. The compound is entirely non-hormonal in its mechanism.
Molecular data
- Type
- Rev-Erb agonist (C20H24ClN3O4S)
- Half-life
- ~4 hours
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Performance & Body Composition
Preclinical / Investigational
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Delivery method
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 20 mg/day (split: ~7 mg three times daily) | Three times daily, spaced 4-5 hours apart | — |
| — | 30 mg/day (split: 10 mg three times daily) | Three times daily, spaced 4-5 hours apart | — |
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep if doses are taken too late in the day (the most frequently reported side effect)
- Increased wakefulness and alertness, which can be a benefit or drawback depending on timing
Rare side effects
- Mild headaches (transient, typically in the first week)
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea or stomach upset, usually dose-dependent)
Contraindications
- Pre-existing sleep disorders or severe insomnia (Rev-Erb modulation may worsen these conditions)
- Pregnancy or potential pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Pre-existing liver disease (limited safety data and potential hepatic effects given Rev-Erb's role in liver metabolism)
- Individuals under 18 years of age
Monitoring
- Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides): baseline and at 4-8 weeks
- Liver function panel (ALT, AST): baseline and mid-cycle given the absence of human safety data
- Fasting blood glucose: baseline and mid-cycle (Rev-Erb influences glucose metabolism)
- Sleep quality assessment: monitor throughout to adjust dosing schedule if insomnia develops
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.