For many years, bodybuilders and medical patients didn’t have much choice but to put up with the side effects of steroids (both anabolic steroids and corticosteroids) to gain muscles faster or manage inflammatory diseases. Unfortunately, its use could result in weight gain, mood changes, fluid buildup, eye and heart problems, and more. On top of all that, one will have to wean off of their original dosage because abrupt cessation after prolonged use can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Fortunately, the continuous research of the past decades has been fruitful enough to produce a better alternative: Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators — the new muscle drug.
Although legal use is currently limited to research purposes only, SARMs have grown to be a popular choice among bodybuilders when it comes to performance-enhancing compounds.
In this SARMs guide, we’ll talk about its different types; how they work, and how you can use them safely to minimize or even avoid negative side effects.
SARMs: Definition and Mechanism of Action
Discovered in the 1990s, SARMs were initially studied as a potential treatment for muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis.
It’s essential to note that SARMs are synthetic ligands and NOT anabolic steroids.
Both anabolic steroids and SARMs target the androgen receptors to promote protein synthesis. However, these synthetic compounds work differently. SARMs are selective and only work on muscles and bones, whereas steroids are non-specific and can flood your entire system with androgen.
Because SARMs are more specific, the rest of the organs are less likely to be affected. As a result, this creates growth localized to the bone and muscles only. This is also why SARMs produce fewer side effects than steroids.
SARMs Benefits
In general, the use of SARMs provides the following benefits when administered properly:
- Builds lean muscle mass
- Strengthens bone and muscle
- Cuts fats without compromising muscles
- Enhances endurance
- Speeds up muscle recovery
- Reduces joint and muscle inflammation
- Has fewer negative effects than steroids and prohormones
SARMs Guide: Popular Types
SARMs are available in capsule, powder, and liquid form, and are typically taken by mouth. There are also different types of SARMs with different uses and benefits. This makes SARMs versatile, and they can even be stacked to achieve even better results.
Here’s a quick comparison of the most popular types of SARMs:
| Research Code Name | Popular Name | Uses / Benefits | Potential Side Effects | Half-Life |
| S-4, GTx-007 | Andarine | Preservation of muscles while on a diet; ideal for women when taken in low doses | Changes in vision, yellow eye tint | 4hours |
| GW 501516 | Cardarine | Technically not a SARM but works similarly; improvement of energy and endurance, and muscle mass | Gastrointestinal disturbances; tumor formation | 24hours |
| MK 677 | Ibutamoren | Increasing bone density and muscle mass; improvement of appetite and sleep quality | Numbness or tingling of the hands; lethargy, water retention, increase in hunger | 24hours |
| LGD 4033 | Ligandrol | Bulking agent | Increase in estrogen | 24 to 36 hours |
| MK 2866 | Ostarine, Enobosarm | Preservation of muscle mass while on calorie deficit | Gynecomastia, suppression of natural testosterone | 24hours |
| RAD 140 | Testolone | Muscle building | Testosterone suppression | 15 to 20 hours |
| YK11 | YK11 | Strengthening of bones and increasing muscle mass | Joint pain, hepatotoxicity | 6 to 12 hours |
Are SARMs Safe? Risks & Side Effects
As a research chemical, SARMs are still currently being studied in laboratories for potential medical use. Because of the limited clinical data, its long-term effects are yet to be understood. However, for most research subjects, SARMs are well tolerated and are considered generally safe.
The Risks of Using SARMs
While SARMs appear to be promising, they are still experimental drugs. They’re NOT approved for human use and can only be safely administered by medical professionals.
Although SARMs are becoming popular as an ingredient in bodybuilding supplements, they are NOT regulated. This means product labels on SARM supplements may not be reliable and product quality can be questionable unless they’re sourced from a reputable vendor.
When used incorrectly without professional supervision, you may be at risk for more serious health problems:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver injury
- Sleep disturbances
- Sexual dysfunction
- Miscarriage
SARMs Side Effects
Different SARMs will have different effects. This will also vary depending on the user’s current health condition, dosage taken, gender, and other factors. But based on available clinical data and user experience, SARM side effects could be any of these:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Reduction of endogenous testosterone
- Changes in liver function; mild liver toxicity
- Increase in cholesterol levels
- Temporary hypertension
- Acne
These negative effects are typically mild and only temporary in comparison to steroids. They’re also likely to occur when there’s overuse or misuse of the compound.
Are SARMs Legal?
In most countries, as any reliable SARMs guide will show, they are legal to buy as a research chemical only. This means you have to be a researcher or a participant in a clinical study to use SARMs legally. Here’s how SARMs are classified as a drug in major countries:
USA
SARMs are a Schedule 3 controlled substance and are not FDA-approved for human consumption; banned by WADA and cannot be used by professional athletes; can be purchased online by researchers
Canada
SARMs are under Schedule 4 controlled substances and require a prescription.
United Kingdom
Under Class C drugs, possession of SARMs can be legal but buying or selling is illegal.
Australia
SARMS are under both Schedule 4 (prescription only) and 8 (controlled).
Always check the regulations in the country you’re buying from. For most of the rest of the world, regulations are closely similar — SARMs are only legal for research use and not for human consumption.
SARMs Guide Recommendations for Safe Use
To minimize the risks and negative effects, SARMs should be used under the guidance of research professionals only, following these recommendations:
- Start with the lowest effective dose
- Avoid extended use beyond the recommended duration
- Do not drink alcohol while taking SARMs
- Track estrogen levels through regular blood tests
- Ensure close supervision by a medical professional
Where to Buy SARMs
If you’re a researcher who’d like to explore the potential of SARMs for medical use, you can only guarantee product quality by purchasing from reputable vendors. We recommend buying from Modern Aminos. They have a wide selection of research chemicals with the best prices we’ve seen so far. Their products and customer service also have stellar reviews.
Wrapping Up
Although still an experimental drug, SARMs are considered safer than steroids and prohormones. However, SARMs are only meant to be used under the close supervision of a researcher or a medical professional. This ensures product quality and safe administration that minimizes as many risks as possible.
We’ll update this article as regulations change, so bookmark this SARMs guide to stay in the loop!
