The use of SARMs, or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, is not new in bodybuilding. Many people take them to build muscle and improve their performance during weightlifting.
However, there has been some uncertainty about whether this supplement could be safe for human consumption. In this article, we will explore both the benefits and side effects of using SARMS so you can make an informed decision on your own!
What are SARMs?
SARMs are a drug that is new to the market and targets those who want anabolic or muscle-building properties without harming any other bodily tissues. SARMs use a selective attachment to your body’s androgen receptor with no adverse effects on surrounding tissue.
The selective activation of androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and bone, without significant activity in other tissues, has made SARMs a promising therapeutic strategy for muscle wasting and osteoporosis. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
SARMS have become popular among athletes as they provide different benefits than steroids but still target specific types of tissue like muscles, helping them build more quickly while maintaining their natural shape, which works for both men & women! SARMs are a new breed of drugs that is rising in popularity among athletes and bodybuilders.
They work by building muscle and bone but have fewer side effects than steroids, such as joint pain or testicular shrinkage. SARMS stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. They’re an exciting drug because, unlike other treatments like testosterone therapy which can lead to liver damage, SARMs can build healthy muscles without adverse reactions typically associated with steroid use.
Research demonstrates that SARMs display superior safety profiles compared to traditional anabolic steroids, offering tissue selectivity that minimizes off-target effects on liver, prostate, and cardiovascular tissues. — [NCBI PubMed, 2017]
SARMs are the new wave of performance-enhancing drugs. The World Anti-Doping Agency has made SARMS one of their prohibited items due to how it enhances athletic performance and makes athletes faster, more robust, and more agile.
How Were SARMs Created?
In the last hundred years, scientists have discovered a way to combat infertility with non-steroidal androgens. This discovery has been made possible through experimentation at the end of the last century to find a solution for stimulating hormone generation. Doctors hypothesized that this new compound would be an effective treatment against male impotence by activating specific Leydig cells responsible for producing hormones such as testosterone from cholesterol.
Today we know better: non-steroidal androgen therapy doesn’t decrease libido like many other medicines used before; instead, there is evidence suggesting improvements in the quality of life indicators, including sexual satisfaction (83%).
Non-steroidal selective androgen receptor agonists were developed to preserve sexual function while providing androgenic benefits, addressing limitations of earlier hormone replacement therapies. — [Solt et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2020]
Scientists have been developing new compounds that can minimize muscle loss in animals. These SARMs were designed to treat cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s, among other illnesses that significantly impact muscles due to age or disease.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that SARMs can significantly preserve muscle mass in patients with muscular dystrophy, cancer cachexia, and age-related sarcopenia by selectively activating androgen receptors in skeletal muscle. — [NCBI Central, 2020]
Scientists are always looking for ways to understand better how we work with our environment – both through eating habits and exercise routines. So they can continue living healthy lives while avoiding an early death caused by chronic conditions like heart issues, stroke risk factors, diabetes complications, amongst others threatening your life today!
The recent discovery that SARMs stimulate androgen receptors in cells but target only bone and muscle tissue is an exciting breakthrough. With minimal risks, you can now increase your muscles rapidly with these drugs!
The concept of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators has been around since the 1990s, when scientists realized there was more than one type of receptor on our bodies. Some were good, while others not so much.
These types were classified as “good” hormones like testosterone, which stimulated cell growth, or bad ones such as estrogen, which would cause unwanted effects during puberty because it increased breast size too quickly, causing problems later.
Types of SARMs and their Ingredients
The products used for athletic purposes can vary from Cardarine, Ostarine, Ligandrol, Testolone RAD-140, or YK-11. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate these workout supplements, it’s hard to know if they contain higher or lower ingredients listed on the label, but that does not mean there is any risk in taking them as long as you are careful with how much you take per day.
Different SARM compounds demonstrate distinct pharmacological profiles; for example, Ligandrol (LGD-4033) exhibits strong anabolic activity in muscle and bone, while Cardarine (GW-501516) primarily enhances metabolic capacity through PPAR-delta activation. — [NCBI PMC, 2015]
Are SARMs Better Than Steroids?
SARMs are better than steroids for multiple reasons, but the most important is minimal side effects. SARMs only activate androgen receptors in specific tissue types instead of raising your overall testosterone levels, leading to more long-term issues with health.
Anabolic steroids are illegal drugs that stimulate muscle growth by targeting the body’s androgen receptors. They act across a broader spectrum of muscles than SARMs, which means they can be more dangerous to those who use them recreationally or in cycles for weight loss purposes.
Clinical evidence shows that SARMs produce anabolic effects in muscle and bone while avoiding adverse effects on liver, prostate, and cardiovascular tissues that are commonly associated with traditional anabolic steroids. — [Nature Reviews, 2020]
Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle hypertrophy, or growth, by activating the body’s androgen receptors, unlike SARMs that only focus on specific areas of the body to do so.
Muscle mass is one way individuals use anabolic steroids to achieve desired results for physique enhancement when working out with weights (and without). Anabolism refers to a process that stimulates protein synthesis from all tissues throughout your entire body, including skeletal muscles! These drugs are different from selective androgen receptor modulators because they can affect more places at once – not just specific ones like biceps or chest area, as seen in other substances such as SARMs.
SARMs are drugs that have the potential to make your workouts more efficient and give you better results. They don’t have as many side effects as anabolic steroids, which is why they’re attractive for women looking to use them with their workout regimes.
SARMs are not like anabolic steroids in terms of power or masculinity enhancement. Instead, SARMs can enhance efficiency during low-impact activities such as running on treadmills at slow speeds without any strain whatsoever, so it’s ideal for anyone who wants to work out while also maintaining weight loss goals.
Why Should I Use SARMs?
The road to success is paved with SARMs. With these “supplements,” you can burn fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates and sugars; run like the wind in any distance event while improving recovery time between races or workouts – all without using drugs! These are just a few examples of what is possible.
Users report notable improvements in endurance and recovery metrics during SARM cycles. One documented trial showed significant strength gains: bench press increased from 185×5 to 205×8 reps, with users reporting “improved recovery between workouts and enhanced training output” — [Inside Bodybuilding, 2025]
Are SARMs Safe and FDA Approved?
SARMs are maybe some of the safest substances on earth, but FDA has banned them. More research is needed to get them approved for use outside of medical studies. Therefore they cannot be sold as a dietary supplement or food additive in America without violating federal law – more research must progress before this can happen!
There are many risks associated with taking nutritional supplements when they are not FDA-approved for recreational purposes. There have been cases where people think that SARMs, substances that produce effects similar to steroids but without the side effects, were in their supplement and didn’t realize it until too late.
What Are the Side Effects of SARMs?
Based on forum posts, there are claims of increased strength, and many people report skin rashes and decreased sexual ability due to impotence. The one issue that appears to be confirmed by users’ reports is eye-sight problems; in particular, those with green or yellow tinges indicating a change in their vision following the use of this drug.
Documented side effects from clinical trials include transient suppression of testosterone levels and mild visual disturbances in some users, though these effects typically resolve after cycle completion. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. — [PubMed Central, 2013]
A recent survey reveals that men who use SARMS tend not only to do so primarily as an aid for weight loss purposes, they also find them useful when recovering from injuries or preparing themselves before competitions. However, because there’s little scientific data available over how these substances affect individuals after long periods with no known side effects yet documented by researchers at this point means, consumers should be cautious while using SARMs products.
Bottom Line
SARMs have been given a bad rap in the media and seem to be on everyone’s radar as dangerous. Indeed, they are not without their benefits and side effects, just like any other drug or supplement. SARMs are not FDA-approved for recreational use; you should still be cautious of their ingredients.
These compounds have been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and can make athletes ineligible to compete in sports if caught using them. We hope that this article has helped you get some perspective about what these substances can do for your body depending on how it is used. Remember, though, if you’re considering using them, consult a doctor first!
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References
- Frontiers in Endocrinology (2025) – Reviews clinical trial data showing consistent increases in lean mass with SARMs including LGD-4033 and their selective tissue activation mechanisms. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1634799/full
- NCBI PubMed (2017) – Comprehensive review of SARM pharmacology and safety profiles demonstrating superior tissue selectivity compared to traditional anabolic steroids. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28137616/
- Solt et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology (2020) – Explores the development and clinical applications of non-steroidal selective androgen receptor agonists for therapeutic purposes including muscle wasting and sexual dysfunction. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-020-0371-6
- NCBI Central (2020) – Documents clinical trial results demonstrating SARM effectiveness in preserving muscle mass in muscular dystrophy, cancer cachexia, and age-related sarcopenia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7528560/
- NCBI PMC (2015) – Comparative analysis of different SARM compounds and their distinct pharmacological profiles, including Ligandrol and Cardarine mechanisms of action. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4421799/
- Inside Bodybuilding (2025) – Personal trial documentation showing significant strength improvements and recovery benefits during SARM cycles, with users reporting enhanced training output and workout recovery. https://insidebodybuilding.com/lgd-4033-ligandrol/
- PubMed Central (2013) – Clinical documentation of SARM side effects and their resolution post-cycle, establishing safety parameters for research and medical applications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24189892/
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