Do SARMs Have Side Effects?
Yes, SARMs have an amazing list of benefits. However, there can be some side effects. The question is: does the risk meet the reward?
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, which are considered safer alternatives to anabolic steroids, have their share of controversy just like every other drug on this planet. There have been many claims, especially on social media, that SARMs are not as safe as reported. Some have even gone on to claim that SARMs side effects are as severe as steroid side effects.
The question of whether SARMs are worth it for you is one that only you can answer. On top of this, they must always be used with prior legal and medical approval. Let us find the truth behind the claims of SARMs side effects, so that you can proceed fully informed.
What are the Potential SARMs Effects?
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators were developed as drugs to boost athletic performance. These compounds improve workout performance, stamina, endurance, athletic abilities, and increase muscle mass by mimicking the effects of testosterone.
However, a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association disclosed that many products sold online as SARMs actually contained unapproved substances, anabolic steroids, and hormones.
The worst part is that most of these products have labels that were completely misleading. No wonder that overdosing, abuse, or even the general use of these SARMs would result in side effects much like those of steroids.
For this study, the researchers evaluated 44 drugs that were marketed and sold as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, using testing procedures as deployed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). These procedures detected banned substances in the urine and blood samples of athletes.
It was found that as many as 39% of the tested supplements included unapproved drugs such as anabolic steroids and banned growth hormones. To make matters worse, 25% of the tested supplements included similar substances that were not even mentioned on the labels.
Furthermore, in 59% of cases, the quantities of compounds listed were significantly different to those revealed by the analysis. At best, this is misleading and at worst highly dangerous: SARMs overdose can be fatal.
The following compounds were listed on the labels:
- Andarine (also known as S-4 and GTx-007);
- Cardarine (also known as Endurobol, GSK-516, GW1515, and GW501516);
- Ibutamoren (known as MK-677 and L-163191);
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033);
- Ostarine (also known as Enobosarm, GTx-024, MK-2866, and S-22);
- Stenabolic (SR9009);
- Testolone (RAD-140).
One co-author of the study was Shalender Bhasin, M.B., B.S, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the research program in men’s health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Bhasin remarked that the compounds found in their analyses were not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Bhasin added that there is little to no information about the efficacy and safety aspects of these products, since the compounds were unapproved. It was also disclosed that some of these compounds have never been studied in human beings.
It’s no wonder that the FDA issued a warning statement after this about products that contain Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators.
They noted that life-threatening reactions - including but not limited to liver toxicity - have been noticed in people making use of SARMs. However, the study did also note that the findings do not currently represent all products that contain Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, and that further regulation is required.
The underground sale and use of SARMs has made the compounds controversial, however these drugs may one day serve a crucial response and purpose for many patients and athletes alike.
Further Research on SARMs Effects and Use
Patricia Deuster, a professor of military and emergency medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, remarked that Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators are extremely popular among soldiers as they are easier to purchase and access than anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Thomas O’Connor, author of the book America on Steroids, commented that many of his patients are users of anabolic-androgenic steroids who turned to SARMs because these compounds were non-toxic. O’Connor also added in his book that hundreds - maybe over 1000 - patients from all walks of life since 2010 (including defense workers, police officers, strength athletes, accountants, and others) have been using SARMs.
Dr. O’Connor added that it is difficult to evaluate the precise impact of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators as currently used, as many people combine them with supplements, other drugs, or prohibited substances. The fact that some of these users experienced side effects may or may not mean that SARMs are to blame. Similarly, SARMs overdose may also be at play.
This is not ruling out the fact that these drugs are completely free of any short- or long-term side effects: however, experts suggest that that is something which needs to be investigated for some years to come.
Avoiding Unsafe SARMs and SARMs Effects
What are SARMs Side Effects and How Can I Lower My Risk?
Ever wondered what brought disgrace to SARMs? Malicious manufacturers are out there, who won’t hesitate to compromise your health and life by under- or over-dosing compounds, and even using compounds that are harmful.
If you’re asking yourself, “What are SARMs side effects?”, you should be aware that the majority of side effects come from dishonest products. While the risks are mitigated with monitored, approved use, adverse effects can still occur as with any drug.
The point is: the fault here does not lie with SARMs, but with disreputable stores dealing in them. Genuine Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators are still in an early stage of research, yet they are considered safe enough for medical practitioners across the world.
There is absolutely no denying the fact that fake, under-dosed, and over-dosed medications will lead to SARMs side effects. Furthermore, the use of even genuine SARMs can lead to side effects, particularly if the user has an existing hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. This is exactly the reason why prior medical guidance is always suggested to anyone who wants to make use of these potent compounds.
In recent times, sports governing bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the International Olympic Committee have put SARMs under the list of performance-enhancing drugs.
This was for the simple reason that SARMs enhance athletic performance and allow athletes, swimmers, cyclists, powerlifters, and cricketers to gain a distinctive edge over others. In a professional or competitive setting, of course this is not acceptable.
Big names like Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier, UFC fighter Jimmy Wallheads, CrossFit Games athlete Ricky Garard, UFC fighter Tim Means, and Josée SArda, who won the Masters Women 50-54 Division, have been caught doping with SARMs. Quentin Weber, a powerlifting athlete, was sanctioned for using S-22, a prohibited anabolic agent. Anis Ananenka was banned for using GW-501516. The list goes on and on.
Why Were SARMs Developed?
In the past, anabolic-androgenic steroids like testosterone were used by recreational athletes, weightlifters, and others in order to gain muscle mass, lose body fat, and regain physical function.
However, their use was also characterised by severe steroid side effects. These clearly outweigh the advantages of anabolic steroids.
These were just some of the reasons SARMs were developed by scientists and pharmaceutical companies to selectively target muscle and other tissues to reduce some of the side effects of steroids. This was made evident with studies and trials suggesting that the use of SARMs could provide dramatic relief to patients struggling with hip surgery recovery, cancer, multiple sclerosis, urinary incontinence, and weak pelvic muscles.
For instance, it was demonstrated by a three-week trial at Boston University that LGD-4033, also known as Ligandrol, was tolerable and safe in healthy men when it comes to producing dramatic gains in strength and muscle mass without raising the risk of prostate cancer.
It is extremely important to note that SARMs should only be bought from a legitimate SARMs Store that deals only in genuine and premium-quality Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. Moreover, the use of SARMs should always be preceded by the advice of a qualified medical practitioner after carefully and comprehensively evaluating medical reports and history.
In addition to this, the use of SARMs should only be made for legal and medical purposes under expert supervision of a medical practitioner. It is equally important to note that oral SARMs are preferable to their liquid (injectable) counterparts, for the simple reason that they are easy to consume and have higher bioavailability.
Moreover, oral users don’t have to face the complications of unknowingly under- or overdosing SARMs. They also don’t face the risk of abscess formation, pain at injection sites, sharing of needles, and the increased risk of contracting sexually-transmitted or other diseases due to needle sharing.
In short, there is no denying the fact that the abuse of any drug including SARMs can lead to side effects. However, you can greatly reduce the risk of SARMs side effects by observing a high level of care and diligence that can be achieved with clear awareness of different Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. This will help you in remaining informed, and in choosing the best SARMs at the most reasonable prices.