Since the late 1990s when the first non-steroidal SARMs were discovered, there has been an explosion in the development and uptake of SARMs. This is especially true in the bodybuilding industry because SARMs offer bodybuilders an apparently safer alternative to anabolic steroids.
SARMs are selective androgen receptor modulators. Unlike anabolic steroids that modulate various androgen receptors in the body, SARMs select specific receptors to modulate. This means that some SARMs can avoid modulating particular receptors that lead to unwanted effects in the body (unwanted effects typically associated with anabolic steroids).
In this ultimate guide, we’ll talk about how you can use SARMs and what you can use them for. So let’s get started.
More About How SARMs Work
So we’ve mentioned already that SARMs are selective about the androgen receptors that they modulate. But how does this process work?
Well, to understand the origins of SARMs, you have first to understand that scientists were developing steroidal SARMs in the 1940s. The idea was to modify testosterone molecules, which led to the creation of anabolic steroids that many will be familiar with or know about over the last 50 years or so.
The difference with non-steroidal SARMs is that they interact in a different way to steroidal ones. Both bind to ligands, but the non-steroidal SARMs we encounter today may spare the prostate from unwanted side effects, for example. Tests have also shown in rodents that non-steroidal SARMs can increase bone density and muscle mass, much like anabolic steroids.
Non-steroidal SARMs work in a different way because scientists modify molecules other than testosterone to interact with androgen receptors. You can see it like they are hacking our bodily processes in different ways, with the aim of making us stronger!
Rational and Implications of SARMs
SARMs (non-steroidal) may help with age-associated loss of strength and muscle mass in adults. They could also enhance athletic performance in already fit and strong individuals.
While anabolic steroids can help with this they can create issues like erythrocytosis and leg edema. Non-steroidal SARMs might bypass these issues and become a useful medications for healthcare facilities that want to help physically weak patients become stronger in some ways.
Plus, there are many unknown benefits to SARMs in a medical sense. Testing continues and we hope there are positive results and medicines to come from this field of study.
SARMs and FDA Approval
Modern SARMs are still not FDA-approved as they are concerned about the effects they may have on bodybuilders. However, bodybuilders and people in the health profession are experimenting with these substances and there is positive feedback and development with SARMs.
Since SARMS are not FDA-approved drugs they can be sold as experimental substances that people can buy online or from specific retailers. To sell SARMs as experimental substances, they are often sold in liquid form. The logic behind this is that if they were sold in capsule or tablet form then it would indicate to the FDA that they might be for human consumption.
SARMs-Like Products
Because “SARMs” is such a buzzword in bodybuilding circles, many companies now market their products as SARMs when they are not. Instead, they sell SARMs-like products that achieve similar modulations to what modern SARMs are expected to do (increase muscle mass and bone density among other things).
This means that creators of such products may be able to sell them in powder, capsule, tablet, or liquid form. We’ll now take a look at various types of modern SARMs and SARMs-like products that are proving popular in the bodybuilding world.
Ostarine MK-2866
Ostarine is one of the most notable SARMs in existence today and one that scientists have studied the most. It’s a mild SARM which means many beginners tend to lean towards taking this first. It’s also pretty affordable as SARMs go.
Ostarine may help you cut body fat, making it a good tool for cutting phases. Ostarine may also promote muscle growth, even if you are on a calorie deficit! With this in mind, the substance could make it easier for you to control your diet in a cutting phase.
We do advise that you use PCT (post-cycle therapy) after a cycle. This is because Ostarine can suppress testosterone after a cycle, albeit in a mild sense compared to other SARMs. This is where to buy Ostarine if you are searching for a reliable seller.
To start with, it’s a good idea to have a minimum dose of Ostarine. 15 milligrams a day is the minimum dosage. You can then work your way up to 30 mg a day and some professionals even go as far as 50 mg per day!
Testolone RAD-140
RAD-140 is a very popular SARM that bodybuilders and gym-goers are getting into these days. It’s pretty new in the SARMs world so people are still testing out what the varying medical benefits could be when they take it. Yet, in the bodybuilding industry, people see Testolone as a super-effective SARM to increase muscle endurance and lean muscle mass.
Even from the first couple of doses, some gym-goers report that they start to see strong gains. After taking a cycle of RAD-140, it’s a good idea to carry out a PCT, since the substance can cause you to suppress testosterone when you stop using it.
The dosages for Testolone on a cycle can vary between 5-10mg per day. it all depends on your goals and whether you are stacking with RAD-140 or not.
Ligandrol LGD-4033
Ligandrol is a good selective androgen receptor modulator for weight loss. It’s a very potent SARM that bodybuilders like to use.
It’s common to see bodybuilders using Ligandrol as part of a stack. They often pair up LGD-4033 with Ostarine. Many believe combining the two enhances lean muscle retention while cutting to look ripped.
When taking Ligandrol, you should start with low doses. Then over time, you can work your dosages up to a higher level that suits your requirements. A standard maximum dose of Ligandrol might be 10 mg and 5 mg for women.
After an LGD-4033 cycle, you need to try and avoid HPTA (hypothalamus, pituitary, testes-Axis). To do this, you should consider going on a SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulator).
Andarine S-4
Andarine cuts weight and supports lean muscle growth. It reduces your water retention and bloating. Thus, it works well in a stack where the other SARM deals with fat reduction.
Andarine is another SARM that you need to be careful with after a cycle. We advise you do a PCT after doing a cycle of S-4. Dosage-wise you can opt for anything between 25 mg to 50 mg per day for an 8-week cycle.
Ibutamoren MK-677
Instead of working on the androgen receptors, Ibutamoren interacts with your human growth hormone receptors. It works to increase your growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. So if you’re after a SARM that promotes huge muscle growth gains, this could be it (Testolone is another good one).
One thing about MK-677 is that it makes you super hungry, which is great if you are wanting to bulk. It also increases your energy levels meaning you can train harder for longer!
Another attractive aspect of MK-677 is you don’t need to do a PCT with it. You can actually use MK-677 as a PCT. The reason for this is that Ibutamoren does not affect estrogen or testosterone in your body, so there is no suppression.
Keep in mind there are stronger PCTs available on the market. However, you can still use MK-677 for PCT after taking weaker or shorter cycles of SARMs.Common MK-677 dosages tend to be anywhere between 10-50 mg per day.
Cardarine GW-501516
Cardarine is one of those SARM-like substances we spoke about earlier that deals with different receptor options. People tend to group it in the SARMs bracket because it has similar effects as SARMs on your body. GW-501516 is a great muscle builder that enhances your protein receptors.
Your protein receptors regulate glucose levels in your body. When you enhance your protein synthesis with Cardarine, you can increase your energy levels and develop more muscle mass.
Since Cardarine concerns itself with your protein receptors and not your androgen receptors, you don’t need to do a PCT after a cycle. This makes it a go-to substance for many bodybuilders wanting to stack. A typical dosage for Cardarine GW-501516 is between 10-25mg per day.
How to Take Liquid SARMs
Many SARMs come in liquid form because they are not FDA-approved substances. So, we think it’s useful to explain some approaches to taking liquid SARMs.
For the most part, gym-goers and bodybuilders will take liquid SARMs orally (drinking them). It’s common that users of liquid SARMs will have a chaser ready to drink once they’ve taken their SARM to mask the taste. Some chaser ideas are orange juice, coffee, or a protein shake.
Keep in mind that some SARMs have a stronger taste than others. Some will taste sugary, mild, and rather pleasant while others are very powerful tasting and not particularly pleasant to drink at all. With the ones that taste pretty nasty, it’s a good idea to have two or three chaser drinks at hand to rid you of the SARM-solution taste.
We say “SARM-solution” because manufacturers create SARMs in powder form first. They then dilute the SARMs into an alcohol mixture to change the SARMs into a liquid form so they can sell them.
Liquid SARM-Taking Techniques
One straightforward technique to take SARMs that have a disagreeable taste is to hold your nose when you drink them. Then keep holding your nose while you take a chaser or two before you allow yourself to smell and taste properly again (your smell has a lot to do with taste). You can have some strong mints or sweets nearby to suck on to mask the taste of your daily SARM dose over a longer period.
Another approach is to pour your liquid SARMs into some absorbent food type. For instance, you can put your SARM dosage into some bread and simply eat it. You could try masking the taste by having some jelly or peanut butter (or both) on your bread.
When you put SARMs with food, however, you might not be always getting a full and controlled dosage. The same goes if you mix it with a liquid such as water, juice, or liquid supplements.
Sublingual administration is a method to take SARMs where you might get the best absorption of your dosage. Instead of straight up drinking your SARM, you pour it under your tongue. The area beneath your tongue is an excellent place to absorb liquids, and to maximize your SARM absorption you might want to leave it under your tongue for 15 seconds or longer before swallowing the remaining amount.
What Are the Worst and Best Tasting SARMs?
It’s arguable that MK-677 in its liquid form is one of the foulest tasting SARMs around. That said, you shouldn’t let this put you off taking it as it is a SARM that’s worth stacking. A good piece of advice with this SARM is to shoot it right at the back of your throat and then follow up quickly with chasers.
Ostarine is one of the best-tasting SARMs you can get. it has a sugary easy-going taste that shouldn’t bother most people when they drink it. Although, you still might want a chaser to accompany this SARM every day.
How to Take Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators
You should now have a much clearer idea about how to take selective androgen receptor modulators. Some taste reasonable in their liquid form while others are very challenging on the tastebuds. It’s up to you to figure out an intake routine that suits you best.
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