(Newswire.net — January 21, 2021) — SARMs have taken the bodybuilding and fitness community by storm. These supplements are controversial because while they show promise, there is still not a lot of research behind them. So the question arises, are SARMs dangerous?
Here is your complete guide to understanding SARMs and whether you should consider buying them.
What Are SARMs?
SARMs, or scientifically known as selective androgen receptor modulators, are a relatively new take on the supplement and drug industry. They are often used for their ability to mimic steroids, without the harmful effects of steroids.
Rather than just turning into testosterone-like pro-hormones or being testosterone like the steroid, this supplement is meant to activate your body’s ability to produce testosterone. SARMs accomplishes this by attaching to your body’s androgen receptors.
These are the male hormone receptors and are responsible for telling the body to create more testosterone. Steroids will typically just take the testosterone that is artificially implemented and use it as it sees fit. But because SARMs are tissue targeting, they only stick to skeletal muscle.
SARMs came about in the late 1990s as a way to possibly treat those with osteoporosis, where muscle loss is prominent. Other diseases that could cause muscle loss include cancer and Alzheimers.
These were posed as an alternative to steroids because of their ability to not metabolize into either dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or into estrogen. This would eliminate the need to be prescribed DHT or estrogen blockers, which are typically taken with steroids or pro-hormones. Excess amounts of estrogen or DHT can lead to an increase in certain types of cancers in men.
Because of SARMs anabolic enhancing tendency, they are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and fall onto the list of banned agents of other anti-doping lists. SARMs are not FDA-approved for human consumption because of their lack of research but are legal to buy under the guise of being for clinical research.
The warning behind SARMs is that companies will often “snake-oil” their products and not actually contain any SARMs. These random ingredients can be harmful to the body, so if you do choose to purchase SARMs, be sure to check that they are tested and pure.
What Are the Different Types of SARMs?
SARMs is a broad term used for a variety of different SARMs. While there are popular ones like Ostarine, there are the ones that people know less about like Radarine. The fewer people know about it, the less information there probably is on the product.
If you’re looking to buy SARMs, check out the link for a trusted website.
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine, or the pharmaceutical literature name being MK-2866, is by far the most well-known SARM around. It is the one most people will read about, as this was the original SARM that they decided to do studies on because of the potential that it contains.
While Ostarine is not the original SARM, as that SARM was steroidal, it still shows promising results when it comes to helping prevent muscle loss. You can ask your doctor to be included in research trials that are currently using Ostarine as a way to prevent muscle loss from certain types of cancers and diseases.
Because of its potential for preventing muscle loss, Ostarine is usually used on a cutting cycle. A cutting cycle’s purpose is to help eliminate excess body fat, but consequently, this can also cut muscle mass down as well.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Ligandrol is a much stronger SARM and borders on the line of steroidal. Compared to Ostarine, Ligandrol has been shown to suppress the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes-Axis (HPTA). When this is suppressed, the body has a harder time regulating the reproductive and immune systems.
Most individuals that pick up LGD-4033 will do so during a bulking cycle. A bulking cycle is the opposite of a cutting cycle, where you try to pack on the muscle and weight. The goal is to use this time to increase muscle mass, so come cutting time, you have more muscle mass to look fuller.
While studies have shown that there were no liver changes, prostate issues, or heart issues post LGD, there is still room to be tested before jumping straight in.
Testolone/Radarine (RAD-140)
Testolone, otherwise known as Radarine, is extremely new to the market. They have not even completed the first trial runs of the supplement. Researchers are looking into whether RAD-140 plays a role in preventing muscle wasting.
Anecdotal suggestions say that it has not been associated with negative effects, but do keep in mind that this is more personal recommendations rather than scientific fact.
Andarine (GTx-007, S-4)
Andarine is another low-end introductory SARM with the purpose of preventing muscle-wasting. While the fitness community has toted its benefits, at the time of writing, there have been no trials done with Andarine to verify its potential benefits.
Rather than working to help prevent muscle wasting, it is thought to improve mood and mental wellness. When these factors increase, you typically see an increase in recovery as well as an increase in muscle gains. This is because neurotransmitters like dopamine not only help with mood but also increase muscle protein synthesis.
How Should You Take SARMs?
Keep in mind that SARMs are not approved for human consumption and the following recommendations are from the fitness community, rather than researchers and clinical professionals.
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine is taken orally either through a liquid or through a capsule. A liquid will verify that this is more trusted, as this is how they need to come when used for a clinical trial.
The dosage recommendation from the fitness community is a 6 to 10-week cycle with a dosage of 10 milligrams to 25 milligrams once a day.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Because of Ligandrols extremely potent tendencies, you should only be taking extremely small dosages of the supplement. While it normally comes in liquid, it is harder to control the substance in such small amounts. If a pill is available and tested to be pure, stick with that option.
Most people will do a cycle for 8 weeks of 1 to 5 milligrams once a day. This is because Ligandrol is stable in the body for anywhere between 24 to 36 hours. Individuals even like to only take it once every other day to be on the safe side.
Because of Lingandrols ability to suppress the HPTA system, you should be sure to pair it with an anti-estrogenic supplement. If you don’t choose to do it while taking Ligandrol, you should absolutely take it afterward.
Testolone/Radarine (RAD-140)
Testolone is still under review, so there are no real recommendations based on science. The anecdotal recommendation from the fitness community has anywhere between 5 to 30 milligrams for 8 to 16 weeks. Some people recommend taking it while cutting, while others recommend taking it while bulking.
Regardless, it would be smart to pick up an anti-estrogenic supplement, just to be on the safe side. While no one knows what truly happens from Testonlone, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Try to get your liver tested before and after using the supplement, to understand how it is affecting your body.
Andarine (GTx-007, S-4)
As with Testolone/Radarine, there are no current studies finished on Andarine. While we do know that it is relatively weaker in terms of muscle-waisting, we still don’t know about long or short-term effects if not taken properly.
The reported usage from the community is to take Andarine with another SARM for optimal results. When taking Andarine, the recommended dosage is 25 milligrams twice a day.
The noted side effects do include testosterone suppression, to do include an anti-estrogen into your stack as well.
Post Cycle Therapy
Post cycle therapy (PCT) is an important part of SARMs, despite them not having the same damaging effects as testosterone. This is thanks to scummy and poorly manufactured products containing steroidal versions of SARMs, leading to the same negatives as steroids.
A PCT is incorporated after the cycle of SARM is completed, to ensure that your liver, heart, and testosterone get back to normal levels. Skipping on the PCT can lead to long-term adverse effects.
A good ingredient to be on the lookout for is D-aspartic acid (DAA). DAA is the main amino acid that tells your body to produce more testosterone. Keep in mind that L-aspartic acid does not accomplish the same effect.
Supplements That Get Classified as SARMs, But Are Not
There are supplements that get grouped into the SARMs category, but they often do not target the androgen receptors as SARMs do. They are selective to the tissues that they target, however.
The two most common non-SARMs are Ibutamoren (MK-677) and Cardarine (GW-501516). While these are not SARMs, you should still consider being careful with what you choose to put into your body.
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Ibutamoren targets the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. This receptor is responsible for raising growth hormone as well as IGF-1 levels. These two receptors are for aiding in recovery times and increasing muscle-mass while you sleep, rather than increasing testosterone levels.
Since MK-677 does not affect hormones, it does not require PCT or anti-estrogenic supplements to be paired with. Often, individuals will take Ibutamoren while they are taking SARMs for optimal results.
When taking Ibutamoren, you should note that you get a much deeper and relaxing sleep. This is because growth hormone and IGF-1 help stimulate the neurotransmitters that allow us to get deeper sleep. You should take it right before bed for maximum results.
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Cardarine is a selective tissue supplement that targets the Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated-Receptors (PPAR). PPAR receptors are responsible for controlling the expression of genes that relate to cellular development and metabolism.
Because it modifies these aspects specifically, it allows the body to use glucose, the body’s first and favorite energy source, more effectively. Because your body is utilizing nutrients like glucose more effectively, you find an increase in energy and endurance.
An increase in energy means you have more energy out the gate and can push your limits with sprints and big lifts further. Endurance relates to how long you can keep going. If your workouts are only an hour, you may find yourself wanting to go for an hour and a half to two hours.
How Should You Take These non-SARMs?
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Ibutamoren is a long-term usage supplement since there are no hormonal effects. Unlike SARMs, where you should only take them for a couple of months at the most, Ibutamoren can be taken for several months on end.
Because your body does build up a tolerance to it over time, you need to increase your dosage over the three or so months that you are taking it. You should start with a dosage of 15 milligrams and increase it by 5 milligrams over the coming months.
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Cardarine should only be used on a cutting cycle, as the increase in energy and endurance can lead to weight loss that those on a bulking cycle would not prefer. There is also no PCT required for Cardarine since it does not tackle hormones either.
Dosages should start with 7 to 14 milligrams on your first cycle of the PPAR. You should run your Cardarine cycle for as long as your cutting, so anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks for optimal results.
Cardarine is another supplement that is typically stacked with SARMs, specifically Ostarine.
These are still anecdotal references however and you should consult a doctor before attempting to take any SARMs or other selective tissue receptor modulators.
The Answer to “Are SARMs Dangerous”?
The answer to the question, are SARMs dangerous, is still to be concluded. The research is still being done on the supplements and because companies can be untrustworthy, the FDA says that they can be dangerous.
Always check where a website is getting its sources from and look at reviews to see what other people are saying about them.
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