SARMs are one of the newest trends in bodybuilding, and they have been getting a lot of attention.
In the realm of fitness, many of the top names are using SARMs to achieve a competitive advantage over others. So what’s the catch?
What are SARMs, and are SARMs safe? Should you start taking them? In this article, we will take an in-depth look into SARMs so that you can make your own decision on whether or not to try these supplements for yourself!
Whenever you’re ready to learn more about these supplements, keep reading.
What Are SARMs?
SARMs are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. What that means is they are selective because SARMs don’t affect all of the androgens in our system. They selectively bind to a certain receptor site on cells. For instance, such as muscle tissue or bone marrow.
By doing so, they stimulate these tissues without affecting other body systems like the prostate gland (which some steroids can do).
SARMs also have no effect outside of skeletal muscles. So it doesn’t influence hair growth or alter sex drive.
This makes them safer than testosterone supplements. As they affect your muscles and have side effects from changing how you look externally.
What this basically boils down to is: If you want big gains with minimal risk, then SARMS may be perfect for you! However, there are some other important things to know before you consider the use of these supplements.
Where Did SARMs Come From?
SARMs were developed in the 1990s by scientists looking for treatments to help rescue people suffering from muscle wasting diseases.
SARMs were initially used to treat osteoporosis and other disorders where the age-related loss of lean body mass—such as skeletal muscles, bone tissue, and connective tissues—occurred. They’re not approved for use or prescribed by doctors but are available via research chemical companies on the internet.
Over time researchers began to experiment with using SARMS instead of anabolic steroids, which have been shown to cause long-term damage such as liver problems, high cholesterol levels increasing your risk for heart attack, stroke, infertility issues, etc.
The main problem with this is that these drugs are oral and are therefore unable to reach their full potential as anabolic (muscle building) agents because it has been determined by testing on animals that oral intake does not cause any significant muscle growth – which may also explain why there hasn’t ever been a human trial for them yet.
SARMs Safety
The safety of SARMs is still unclear. However, in most cases, SARMs are used at low doses by bodybuilders and athletes to maintain muscle while on a restrictive diet that does not allow for carbs or protein shakes (provided that there is no other underlying medical condition).
We do know about them because they don’t cause any liver damage – unlike anabolic steroids, which have been shown to cause long-term damage such as liver problems, high cholesterol levels increasing your risk for heart attack, stroke, infertility issues.
Nonetheless, SARMs can be dangerous when misused. They are not replacements for anabolic steroids and should never be used at doses higher than recommended by the manufacturer or your physician, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.
The most common side effects of SARMs include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Muscle cramping
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
If these symptoms persist despite dosage adjustments, it is advised to consult your physician about stopping use altogether.
Side effects vary from person to person, so while one individual may experience minimal side effects, another might experience more severe ones even after taking low dosages as prescribed. There’s no telling who will react worse until they try a SARMs.
SARMs Legality
In terms of legality, SARMs are not considered drugs. This is because they do not have a chemical structure that falls under the DEA’s Schedule I or II.
SARMs classify as “dietary supplements”. You can buy SARMs from most online retailers without a prescription.
The FDA is not approved for human consumption and is not a substitute for prescription medications or treatments.
Furthermore, SARMs are illegal in some countries. You should consult with your local authorities or government websites to determine if SARMs are restricted in your locale.
To conclude, SARMs offer an effective means of achieving muscle growth without unwanted side effects.
However, they still carry risks and should be subject to use only under medical supervision – if at all. There is no telling how one will react to them until they try them themselves. So before taking any chances, ask your doctor about their safety!
So are SARMs legal? It depends.
Steroids vs. SARMs
The truth is that SARMs can be quite addictive, just like steroids. However, one does not need to inject them, which makes things a little easier.
Some people think it’s better to take SARMs instead of steroids because there could be serious side effects such as high blood pressure and heart attacks, which we know happen whether it’s used for performance enhancement purposes or just recreationally!
The majority of athletes use them only during a pre-season period while they’re recovering from injury. Some sports teams don’t even allow their players to use these supplements. This is because some studies show high blood pressure and heart attacks.
This is mainly because SARMS is an un-approved medication, so there’s not enough research to know the long-term effects.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prohibited all SARMS as of January 2020. We’ll have a lot more information soon about their safety and side effects. But for now, they are still legal supplements that athletes can use with caution.
Nonetheless, SARMs can certainly be better than steroids. This is because they do not directly raise the hormonal levels but affect the receptors that modulate them. This means that you can ensure a greater deal of safety for a longer period of time without experiencing life-threatening side effects.
However, if SARMs are abused, you’re not doing yourself a favor.
Who Should Start Taking SARMs?
The question of who should take and if they should take SARMs is a complicated one. The answer depends on the individual and what they want to achieve.
Some people might need SARMs if they are experiencing muscle-wasting. Others may just be looking for an extra boost in training performance or recovery time from injury.
The best advice is to start taking SARMs only if your doctor recommends it after a thorough examination of your condition. If so, make sure you take them as directed and do not abuse them by eating more than needed per day!
One benefit of using SARMS over other options like steroids is that there will likely be fewer side effects. This is because they often raise hormonal levels rather than modulating their receptors. This means athletes can use caution without life-threatening risks but abusing these supplements would be a bad idea.
Abuse is real with any drug or supplement. Anything that delivers noticeable results can be abuse, so be wary.
How to Take SARMs: Determine the Dosage?
When it comes to deciding a dosage, it can difficult to determine. It gets even more difficult knowing that each SARM requires its own dosage.
In most cases, the dosage will depend on your needs and goals. You might take a higher dose of SARM if you are looking to burn fat versus adding muscle mass.
The best way to know what is right for you would be through trial and error or by consulting with a medical professional who can prescribe drugs that suit your needs specifically without risk of abuse because they only work where needed in smaller doses.
Another way to determine a correct dosage would be to take less than the recommended dosage and see how you feel. Then, once that is determined, start scaling up your dose in small increments until you hit a sweet spot for muscle gain and fat loss.
One last thing before we continue is that SARMs are not for everyone. If you have had any liver problems, this may be contraindicated for treatment because they can negatively affect your liver function by suppressing important enzymes like CYP450.
The Advantages of SARMs Usage
When it comes to using SARMs, the advantages are the main reasons somebody would want even to try using them. The type of people that use SARMs is quite varied. Some use SARMs to treat cancer or wasting disease, whereas others use them to build muscle.
Here is a list of the most prominent advantages of using SARMs:
- Increases muscle mass
- Enhances fat loss while retaining lean muscle tissue
- Reduces recovery time between workouts by increasing nitrogen retention in muscles and stimulating the release of human growth hormone, which promotes protein synthesis for building new muscles
- Improves bone mineral density to reduce risk of osteoporosis (which is a common problem, especially for those who have cancer)
Several studies have shown that SARMs can be used as an alternative treatment option to HRT or Testosterone Replacement Therapy due to their similar effects on improving sexual dysfunction, body composition changes, mood disorders with high libido suppression, and other benefits such as increased energy levels.
This makes sense because they both have a lot in common, but SARMs are not as strong (meaning they don’t increase libido) and are much safer for the liver.
Athletes use SARMs to improve muscle strength, endurance, recovery time between workouts by increasing nitrogen retention in muscles and stimulating the release of human growth hormone, which promotes protein synthesis for building new muscles.
The Disadvantages of SARMs Usage
It would be inappropriate to list the benefits without mentioning the downsides. Here are some of the most common disadvantages of using SARMs:
- The FDA does not approve most SARMs for human use
- SARMS can cause side effects such as vomiting, nausea, high blood pressure, and insomnia, among others
- Frequent or long-term usage of SARM’s can lead to liver damage if taken in doses higher than recommended levels
Athletes who use SARMS need to be careful that they don’t cross over into doping territory. It has been found recently that people have used SARMs to mask other drugs like testosterone which is illegal when athletes compete.
There’s no way to tell if someone has actually tested positive from using a banned substance or just crossing the line on what might seem ‘safe.’
This means you still run not just the risk of being disqualified from a race for doping. But also potentially risking your health if you use SARMs.
Few long-term studies on humans exist with SARM’s. This means research is still ongoing. Unpredictable results could happen in years to come.
The side effects can last weeks or months after people stop using them. It might be more difficult to withdraw from their usage than other drugs like heroin or cocaine. Drugs where withdrawal symptoms only last days.
Even More Fit
Now that you have uncovered what are SARMs, you are well on your way to deciding if you should be taking them. If you’re unsure about this decision, it’s best that you consult with a medical specialist who will be able to help you come to a conclusion.
Don’t rush this and ensure that you cover all bases before starting out with these supplements. SARMs can be dangerous when taken inappropriately. Don’t place yourself at risk for short-term gain.
If you’re interested in becoming even more fit, check out some of our other informative fitness articles on the sidebar or down below.
