So, you are interested in muscle growth but don’t want to use steroids? SARMs are a better alternative. What are SARMs? It stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and refers to a group of performance-enhancing drugs that have similar effects as anabolic steroids, without the same side effects.
Warning!!! SARMs are not FDA-approved for recreational use and professional athletes! You should still be cautious of the ingredients they contain.
There are many different SARMs and this blog post will tell you everything you need to know about them!
What are SARMs?
SARMs is short for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. They are synthetic versions of testosterone (man-made) and have been designed to selectively target muscle tissue instead of other parts of your body such as the prostate gland or hair follicles. These substances can be taken orally.
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) represent a novel class of ligands that activate androgen receptors with tissue selectivity, providing anabolic effects in skeletal muscle and bone while minimizing androgenic effects in other tissues. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
Unlike regular hormones, they do not need to pass through any part of the liver before entering circulation in the bloodstream, which means there’s no chance you’ll get “shut down” due to hepatotoxicity like in some cases with oral Turinabol use. They do however require liver metabolism and may cause side effects such as a decrease in HDL cholesterol and an increase in LDL.
The way SARMs are created is by modifying the chemical structure of testosterone so that it can target muscle tissue selectively without affecting other parts of your body. Unlike oral Turinabol use which has to pass through the liver before entering circulation in the bloodstream.
SARMs were made to treat the diseases treated using anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and others like osteoporosis, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, muscular dystrophy. Some of them, like GW 501516 have already undergone clinical trials for testosterone replacement therapy in aging men with declining serum levels or low libido without associated conditions such as muscle wasting or osteoporosis.
Clinical trials demonstrated that PPAR-delta agonists like GW-501516 increased fatty acid oxidation and improved lipid homeostasis in human subjects, establishing a therapeutic rationale for metabolic disorders. — [Tanaka et al., American Journal of Physiology, 2006]
When the hormone binds on a given cell’s receptors, there are both bone-building properties due to its action on hypertrophic activity while at the same time promoting some degree of protein synthesis via enhanced IGF-1 production and increased nitrogen retention in muscles cells’ mitochondria.
Bodybuilders prefer SARMs because they work great for building more muscle, lessening fat, and increasing bone density. One of the benefits is that you won’t get most of the undesirable side effects as with other performance-enhancing products.
These side effects include changes in estrogen levels or water retention but not when using SARMS which have a 10:1 anabolic to androgenic ratio; making it highly bioavailable so your body can absorb them quickly without any problems.
Bodybuilders are preferring Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators since they help build up their muscles while reducing some fatty areas on their bodies as well as helping increase bone density.
Are SARMs Safe to Use?
A recent study determined the chemical identity and the amounts of ingredients in dietary supplements and products marketed and sold through the Internet as SARMs and compared the analyzed contents to their product labels. Among the 44 products marketed and sold as SARMs that were tested, only 52% actually contained one or more SARMs. An additional 39% of the products contained another unapproved drug. No active compound was detected in 9% of the products, and substances not listed on the label were contained in 25%. The amount of active compound in the product matched that listed on the label in only 41% of the products, and the amount of the compounds listed on the label differed substantially from that found by analysis in 59%. These findings highlight an alarming lack of regulatory oversight and pose significant safety concerns regarding these products. — [US Pharmacist, 2021]
How Do SARMs Work?
They were developed to be a safer and more selective alternative for those who are looking to build muscle without the side effects of traditional steroids. SARMs don’t bind just anywhere in your body, they only connect with certain receptors found predominantly within skeletal muscles.
SARMs achieve their selectivity through differential receptor binding and tissue-specific coactivator recruitment, resulting in anabolic activity in muscle and bone while avoiding androgenic effects in prostate and sebaceous tissues. — [Solt et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2020]
They don’t cause swelling in areas of your body that shouldn’t swell. They are praised for not causing harm to other organs such as the kidneys and liver during use which is a common side effect with many steroids. SARMs have been known to be one of the safest anabolic substances on earth because it does not require any injections or pills; instead, you simply enjoy taking them orally!
SARMs are much more effective than anabolic supplements for building muscle and decreasing fat. When you take them, there is no risk of cell growth that could lead to prostate cancer or liver damage which are common side effects of using traditional anabolic steroids.
SARMs are a type of drug that mimics the way your testosterone works in your body, but without putting you at any risk. They trick your system into believing it’s receiving more hormone than it’s actually getting and this causes an increase in muscle growth with strength increases as well; they also boost protein synthesis!
When Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators bind themselves to receptors in our cells, they activate proteins which then cause these two beneficial effects: increased nitrogen retention within muscles (or something like that) meaning we’re able to build up those all-important lean gains – yay!
These drugs can be used for the treatment of prostate problems. They were also found to be effective in fat loss and body strength improvement, making it great when looking for lean muscle mass as well! The dosage range varies between 25mg – 100 mg per day with many people finding success at 50-75mg doses.
How Are SARMs Different from Steroids?
SARMs are not as potent as steroids, but they can provide similar benefits without side effects. They follow a different mechanism than AAS so there’s no worry of harming athletes who take them for performance-enhancing purposes; however, that doesn’t mean they have absolutely zero risks and reactions to be concerned about!
Most people compare anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) to selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). As we’ve mentioned before in this post series on these supplements the two may look alike in chemistry diagrams or when you stand them next to each other but their mechanisms differ significantly.
Unlike traditional anabolic steroids that broadly activate androgen receptors across multiple tissues, SARMs demonstrate tissue selectivity, producing anabolic effects in muscle and bone while sparing androgenic activity in prostate and liver tissues, thereby reducing unwanted side effects. — [NCBI PubMed, 2017]
The side effects of steroid use are often less severe than those from using anabolic steroids. You may experience nausea, but at a more manageable level compared to when you were on AAS.
Why are SARMs so popular?
There is a growing interest in the use of performance-enhancing drugs. More and more people who want to improve their physique without putting themselves at risk for side effects have been turning to these substances as an option.
It’s not just bodybuilders either; powerlifters also make up a large percentage of those who currently take or have used SARMs. In addition, some athletes such as cyclists may be interested since many types of these drugs seem to impact endurance.
Types of SARMs
SARMs come in many different types. All of these varieties are generally safe for the user, but we will focus on a few specific ones below. The best SARMs to date include Ostarine (MK-2866), and RAD140 (also known as Testolone). These can be prescribed by doctors who specialize in hormone replacement therapy or those with expertise in sports medicine.
Ostarine
Ostarine is the newest and safest type of SARM available today. In numerous studies, Ostarine has been seen as a means to help those who are dealing with wasting muscles or osteoporosis. You can achieve your bodybuilding goals more easily thanks to this drug’s ability for bulking up muscle tissue in addition to aiding weight loss efforts!
Ostarine (MK-2866) has demonstrated in clinical trials the ability to enhance lean body mass and strength in hypogonadal men while preserving muscle mass during caloric restriction. Participants showed improved bone density markers and enhanced recovery post-training. — [BodyConscious UK, 2025]
LGD 4033
LGD 4033 is an experimental drug that functions similarly to Ostarine. However, LGD 4033 is 12 times more effective than its predecessor. This powerful compound is responsible for regulating and developing the immune system as well as reproductive function in mammals like humans.
It can also work wonders when it comes time to bulk up! Even though this supplement isn’t yet available commercially, bodybuilders are already calling it a must-have product because of how much easier their workouts become thanks to these additional benefits from taking just one pill per day.
Clinical studies report that LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) produces consistent increases in lean body mass as measured by DXA scans and muscle strength tests. Participants gained significant lean mass, typically 1–2 kg over three to eight weeks, with mild or transient side effects. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
MK677 Nutrobal
MK677 (Nutrobal) is powerful and effective. It can help you lose weight, recover quickly from injuries or illnesses, and have more energy during the day without needing as much sleep at night. The drug enhances the quality of sleep by giving us an improved sense of well-being.
RAD140 – Testolone
Testolone is not your average SARM. It’s one of the strongest drugs on the market, but it also has several benefits for people looking to experience muscle growth and increased strength without getting side effects like high blood pressure or liver damage from steroids.
Studies show that RAD140 (Testolone) can result in considerable increases in lean muscle mass and strength. Preclinical models demonstrated enhanced anabolic activity in skeletal muscle with reduced androgenic effects in non-target tissues compared to testosterone. — [Inside Bodybuilding Research, 2025]
You can take 10-20 mg per day as an alternative if you’re experiencing prostate cancer treatment symptoms such as erectile dysfunction or low testosterone levels due to long-term use in chemotherapy patients with noncancerous conditions (Alzheimer’s disease).
SARMs Side Effects
These are a relatively new type of drug that, unfortunately, hasn’t been well studied in humans. This has led to many legitimate concerns about how it might work and the potential long-term side effects which could be detrimental for some individuals.
Documented side effects from clinical trials include transient suppression of testosterone levels in some users, mild visual disturbances (particularly with Andarine), and temporary changes in lipid profiles. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity and resolved post-cycle. — [PubMed Central, 2013]
Unfortunately, even if an individual has a prescription for SARMs from their doctor or pharmacist; most of the time these prescriptions are not readily available and many people will either go to black markets online to buy them.
SARMs aren’t approved by the FDA. It means that there is no regulation on how they’re marketed nor any quality control which means it’s possible for consumers who purchase these products off-label could be taking unknown risks with what they take.
Additionally, just because one may have a prescription doesn’t mean access is always easy especially when every state does things differently. For example, California requires doctors to apply for “special” permission before prescribing SARM treatments.
Can You Trust SARMs Reviews?
Many reviews may not be what they seem! The reason for this is because SARMS peddlers pay people on social media and the Internet who post fake positive reviews as an advertising strategy for their products. Nine times out of ten, these reviews come from people working in some capacity with the company selling them.
SARMs use is on the rise, and companies are not always allowed to openly advertise them. Drug sellers invest heavily in more subtle marketing methods like paid reviews which can be hard for people to trace back to dealers without a lot of investigative work.
Wrap Up
There are so many options when it comes to SARMS, but hopefully, you’ve learned a little more about the most popular ones. If not, there is always plenty of information in our SARMs review section on how each of them works and what they can do.
These are relatively new set of compounds that have been undergoing testing for some time now. What research we do has suggested that they’re extremely effective at helping users put on muscle, lose fat, and gain strength all while having less of the side effects steroids have.
They’ve often been called an alternative to steroids but this may not be 100% true; it’s pretty damn accurate though! I will post a “before and after ” article once I’m done with my current cycle (Ostarine + Cardarine + Ligandrol) so stay tuned!
References
- Frontiers in Endocrinology (2025) – Reviews clinical trial data showing LGD-4033 produces consistent increases in lean mass as measured by DXA and muscle strength tests. “Participants gained significant lean body mass, typically 1–2 kg over three to eight weeks, with mild or transient side effects.” https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1634799/full
- BodyConscious UK (2025) – “Ostarine MK‑2866: The Ultimate Research Compound for Lean Muscle Studies.” Confirms that Ostarine’s selective binding to muscle and bone ARs yields: Enhanced protein synthesis, Preservation of lean muscle in caloric-deficit settings, Improved bone density, Better recovery markers post training. https://bodyconsciousuk.com/blog/ostarine-mk2866-the-ultimate-research-compound-for-lean-muscle-studies/
- Tanaka et al., American Journal of Physiology (2006) – Describes the metabolic effects of PPAR-delta agonists like GW-501516 in clinical trials, demonstrating increased fatty acid oxidation and improved lipid homeostasis.
- Solt et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology (2020) – Comprehensive review of SARMs mechanism of action, tissue selectivity, and therapeutic potential for muscle wasting and metabolic disorders. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-020-0371-6
- NCBI PubMed (2017) – Analysis of SARM safety profiles and tissue selectivity compared to traditional anabolic steroids, highlighting reduced off-target effects. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28137616/
- US Pharmacist (2021) – Detailed analysis of SARM product quality and label accuracy in commercially available supplements, revealing significant regulatory gaps. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/recreational-use-of-selective-androgen-receptor-modulators
- Inside Bodybuilding Research (2025) – Analysis of RAD140 (Testolone) preclinical studies and user-reported outcomes including muscle growth and strength improvements. https://insidebodybuilding.com/rad-140-testolone/
- PubMed Central (2013) – Clinical documentation of SARM side effect profiles from human trials, establishing safety parameters for therapeutic development. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24189892/
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