If you’ve been keeping track of the fitness industry lately, you’ll have noticed that SARMs have taken the world by storm. Also known as “Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators,” SARMs were initially developed as a treatment for cancer patients suffering from muscle wasting, but bodybuilders quickly realized you could use them to rapidly pack on pounds of lean muscle.
What are SARMs though? Are they safe? What are the side effects? In this article, we aim to present a research and science-backed approach to this new interesting classification of supplements, so without further introduction, let’s jump right to it.
What Are SARMs?
SARMs, also known as selective androgen receptor modulators, were first developed in the 1940’s by a company known as Ligand Pharmaceuticals. [R] While the compounds showed immense promise, there were too many side effects at the time to continue research.
Fast forward to the 1990’s, and a company known as GTx Incorporated began researching and developing these chemical compounds, and they developed many of the SARMs we know today, such as Ostarine, RAD 140, and Ligandrol.
It’s important to note that there’s many different types of SARMs, similar to whey protein, or testosterone boosters. Each type of SARM has its own unique pros and cons, which we will briefly cover, but in a nutshell, SARMs are a god-send for anyone who wants to build muscle.
How Do SARMs Work?
SARMs work in a very interesting way. They bind to particular androgen receptors in the body, with a high affinity for skeletal muscle androgen receptors, meaning that they can cause rapid muscle growth in the body, without many of the androgenic side effects traditionally associated with testosterone replacement therapy or steroids. [R]
Due to the fact that they’re orally available, quickly after ingestion they’re integrated into the body, and start going to work. Within a matter of just 12-24 hours, the SARMs begin binding to androgen receptors in the skeletal muscles, such as:
- Bicep Muscles
- Tricep Muscles
- Hamstring Muscles
- Lat Muscles
- Deltoid Muscles
- …and more
In other words, SARMs typically bind to skeletal muscles, and have a high affinity for the androgen receptors in muscles you want to grow, while simultaneously avoiding the androgen receptors in muscles you don’t want to grow (such as organs and the prostate muscle). [R]
What Are the Benefits?
SARMs have an incredible amount of benefits, which is why bodybuilders are so avidly taking them these days. In fact, many users who report their SARMs before and after results claim to put on 15-25 pounds of muscle, and even lose fat at the same time!
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators are by far, one of the best ways to build muscle fast.
Here are some of the benefits of SARMs:
- Build Muscle Mass
- Rapidly Lose Fat
- Increase Strength in the Gym
- Decrease Recovery Time
- Heal Injuries More Quickly
- Increased Bone Density
- Enhanced Aggression & Focus
- …and more
Despite all of these incredible benefits, most people still haven’t heard of SARMs, again, short for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. Most individuals are still wasting thousands of dollars on over-priced and under-dosed testosterone boosters and other supplements.
Different Types of SARMs
As we mentioned before, there’s several different types of SARMs – and while it can be difficult to navigate this new world of supplements at first, we aim to make it easy for you.
Here’s a quick list of the different SARMs for sale:
- Testolone (RAD 140)
- Ostarine (MK-2866)
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
- S-23
- Andarine (S-4)
- Myostine (YK-11)
Of course, there’s other research chemicals such as Cardarine and Stenabolic that are placed amongst this list, but because they’re not technically SARMs, we’re going to leave them out.
Testolone (RAD 140)
Testolone, otherwise known as RAD 140, is perhaps one of the strongest SARMs to date. Coming in with an anabolic ratio of 90:1, it’s got an extremely high affinity for androgen receptors (even high than testosterone, actually). [R]
Testolone (RAD 140) Snapshot:
- Dosage: 15-30 mg per day
- Cycle Length: 4-8 Weeks
- PCT Required? Yes
Testolone is exceptionally powerful when it comes to building muscle and shredding fat, and users can typically expect to lose 10-15 pounds of fat per cycle and gain 10-15 pounds of muscle, or even more depending on your training, diet, and genetics.
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine, while not as powerful as RAD 140, is perhaps one of the most well-researched SARMs on the planet. Study after study has confirmed its efficacy, powerful muscle-building effects, and most importantly, its minimal side effect profile. [R] [R] [R]
Ostarine (MK-2866) Snapshot:
- Dosage: 25-50 mg per day
- Cycle Length: 4-12 Weeks
- PCT Required? No
Ostarine is very good at building muscle, particularly lean muscle. It shares a chemical structure with S-4, which is another well-known fat burning SARM, so it’s not a surprise that while Ostarine does help you build muscle, its main focus is on getting really lean.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Ligandrol, otherwise known by its research name LGD-4033, is a very potent SARM for building muscle, without much regard for staying lean. Think of it as the “bulking” version of RAD 140, that’s more focused on just sheer muscle growth, rather than lean muscle growth.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) Snapshot:
- Dosage: 10-20 mg per day
- Cycle Length: 4-12 Weeks
- PCT Required? Yes
Ligandrol, named after the company which owns the patent and is researching it, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, shows extreme promise for those trying to bulk up. In fact, studies have confirmed that it’s a very powerful bulking agent. [R]
Are They Safe?
Now, of course, one of the biggest questions most people will have is whether or not SARMs are safe. They’re such a powerful, muscle building drug after all, right? So, wouldn’t it make sense that they have a high amount of side effects in most users?
Thankfully not. Due to their unique mechanism of action, SARMs target most of the “good” androgen receptors in the body, while avoiding the “bad” ones that we don’t want to grow – hence the name “Selective” Androgen Receptor Modulators.
In fact, SARMs are generally viewed as being so safe, that researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine said in one study that Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators present an “unprecedented opportunity” to “improve physical function, bone health, and strength gains,” WITHOUT causing many negative side effects:
“The last decade has witnessed unprecedented discovery effort to develop selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that improve physical function and bone health without adversely affecting the prostate and cardiovascular outcomes. This review describes the historical evolution, the rationale for SARM development, and the mechanisms of testosterone action and SARM selectivity.”
“SARMs hold promise as a new class of function promoting anabolic therapies for a number of clinical indications, including functional limitations associated with aging and chronic disease, frailty, cancer cachexia, and osteoporosis.”
There’s a growing body of research that is showing us that SARMs are not only very safe, but also extremely effective, too. Thanks to modern medicine, you can get the benefits of steroids, such as lean and rapid muscle growth, increased strength, and faster recovery, without any of the side effects, such as an enlarged prostate, acne, or severe hormonal disruption.
Potential Side Effects
Now, just because SARMs are generally safe, doesn’t meant that they don’t have any potential side effects. While the side effect profile on SARMs is low, you should still be aware that some users may experience certain side effects depending on their genetics, dosage, and more.
Here are some potential SARMs side effects to watch out for:
- Raised Cholesterol Levels
- Difficulty Sleeping (Insomnia)
- Testosterone Suppression
- Acne (Especially on the Back)
Most side effects of SARMs can be avoided by simply taking the recommended dosages for each of the various SARMs – a few Google searches can find more information on this for you.
Of course, always be sure to consult with a licensed medical healthcare practitioner as well.
Conclusion
In summary, SARMs, short for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, are one of the fastest growing new supplements in the body building industry, which promise to help users pack on pounds of lean muscle quite rapidly, while also promising minimal side effects.
SARMs are available to buy online from a number of different websites, and with a little bit of research and reading customer reviews, you can easily find one that suits your needs.
Remember that while SARMs are generally very safe according to research studies, it’s always best to consult with a doctor before trying any new supplement, workout routine, or diet.
