Disclaimer<\/strong>: Only researchers are authorized to administer SARMs, as they are not FDA-approved and may cause adverse effects. Dr. Touliatos<\/a> is available for consultation should readers have any questions or concerns.
This guide showcases SARMs before-and-after transformations, highlighting real-life muscle gains and fat loss reported by users.<\/p>\n RAD-140 and LGD-4033<\/a> are among the most potent SARMs currently available. RAD-140 stands out as one of the most effective performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) we have encountered due to its notable benefits for anabolism (1<\/a>) and neurological health (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n Thus, RAD-140 is of particular interest to researchers exploring treatments for patients diagnosed with:<\/p>\n MK-677, a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), is frequently combined with SARMs to enhance results. MK-677 is utilized by certain weightlifters and bodybuilders to increase anabolism without inducing suppression of testosterone levels.<\/p>\n Certain athletes may also take MK-677 to aid their performance by increasing muscular strength and power. However, it is important to note that MK-677 is a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other sporting organizations.<\/p>\n Consequently, professional athletes face a potential risk of failing a drug test if they supplement with MK-677 or SARMs.<\/p>\n The Reddit user has experienced improvements in muscle hypertrophy, with a gain of 10\u201315 pounds. However, there is an argument that a SARM cycle<\/a>\u00a0may be less potent than a typical anabolic steroid cycle<\/a>.<\/p>\n In early human trials, researchers analyzed the effects of SARMs vs. testosterone enanthate. They found that testosterone users built 5\u20137 kg of lean mass, compared to just 1\u20131.5 kg in the SARMs group, over 4\u20136 weeks (3<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, based on this individual\u2019s transformation, it may be unrealistic for steroid users to expect results that are 5 times greater. The subject has developed a notably thicker overall appearance, particularly in the quadriceps.<\/p>\n Therefore, SARMs are utilized by certain weightlifters and fitness enthusiasts in an effort to increase muscle mass and strength. While these users may acknowledge that SARMs do not yield the significant enhancements in muscle hypertrophy associated with steroids, they continue to find them attractive due to their potentially milder side effect profile.<\/p>\n The user has experienced a noticeable increase in visceral fat, resulting in a bloated or more protruding midsection. Therefore, stacks containing MK-677 (Ibutamoren) may not be preferred by individuals desiring a small waist.<\/p>\n Han et al. (2022) discovered that testosterone treatment decreased subcutaneous fat but not visceral fat (5<\/a>). Additional research found that oxandrolone<\/a> (Anavar) reduced visceral fat more than testosterone (6<\/a>). Such results occurred primarily due to oxandrolone being a non-aromatizing anabolic steroid, whereas testosterone converts to estrogen.<\/p>\n SARMs are not inherently estrogenic and do not directly promote aromatization\u2014the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. However, because they activate androgen receptors with high affinity, they can suppress endogenous testosterone production. In some cases, this suppression can lead to changes in estrogen levels.<\/p>\n While natural testosterone typically binds to androgen receptors to exert its effects, SARMs have a stronger binding capacity, effectively outcompeting endogenous testosterone. This displacement reduces natural testosterone signaling, leaving more free testosterone in circulation.<\/p>\n Consequently, excess testosterone can be converted into estrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), potentially leading to hormonal fluctuations. This can cause estrogen dominance, resulting in:<\/p>\n DHT dominance can also contribute to several side effects, including:<\/p>\n SARMs\u2019 tissue selectivity aims to prevent the above side effects. However, in practice, we still see some of them occur via this indirect mechanism (7<\/a>).<\/p>\n Increased DHT levels from SARM use can also promote beard growth, as studies suggest that hair follicles are more sensitive to this androgenic hormone than testosterone (8<\/a>). This enhanced sensitivity can lead to prominent hair growth, contributing to an increasingly masculine appearance of the facial region.<\/p>\n MK-677, one of the compounds in this user\u2019s stack, stimulates increased growth hormone (GH<\/a>) secretion via the activation of GHS-R1a receptors, increasing:<\/p>\n This means that MK-677 tricks the body into making more growth hormone by interacting with receptors in the brain.<\/p>\n Elevated GH levels can lead to enhanced visceral fat storage, as they influence:<\/p>\n Additionally, GH can cause hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) by impairing insulin signaling pathways. Such elevations in blood sugar can contribute to a bloated appearance characterized by abdominal distension.<\/p>\n Therefore, MK-677 may not be suitable for individuals with:<\/p>\n Research on rats found that MK-677 increased peak GH concentrations by 1.8-fold over a six-week cycle (9<\/a>). However, such elevations failed to enhance rodent hypertrophy. Researchers attributed this lack of growth to increased expression of the somatostatin receptor in the hypothalamus.<\/p>\n Therefore, weightlifters and athletes aiming to achieve substantial muscle mass are unlikely to find the results of MK-677, when used in isolation, to be satisfactory.<\/p>\n Disclosure:<\/strong> We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.<\/i><\/p>\n Chemyo is our recommended SARM source worldwide. They guarantee a minimum purity of 99% on all products.<\/p>\n Chemyo offers excellent international shipping, allowing overseas researchers to access high-quality SARMs.<\/p>\n US orders are delivered within 2\u20135 days, while international orders typically arrive in 4\u20137 days.<\/p>\n Use discount code INSIDE10<\/b> for 10% off.<\/p>\n Sports Technology Labs is a highly cost-effective US SARM source, offering purity levels exceeding 98%, as confirmed by their certificates of analysis.<\/p>\n Sports Technology Labs also has a no-credit-card-fee policy, whereas other sources may charge up to 10%.<\/p>\n Sports Technology Labs does not currently provide shipping outside the US.<\/p>\n Use discount code INSIDE15<\/b> for 15% off.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Chemyo and Sports Technology Labs\u2019 products are regularly tested by independent laboratories, MZ Biolabs and Colmaric Analyticals. MZ Biolabs holds a US DEA Schedule III license, and Colmaric Analyticals is ISO\/IEC-certified and ISO-accredited.<\/p>\n The subject gained 5 pounds, which can be partly attributed to a small calorie surplus in their diet. This caloric excess likely contributed to an increase in:<\/p>\n Despite minimal muscle gains, the user reported significant improvements in muscular strength, particularly noticeable from week 6 onward. Their lifting performance increased notably, adding 90 pounds to both their flat and incline bench presses.<\/p>\n Therefore, RAD-140 may be of interest to powerlifters, strongmen, and weightlifters prioritizing strength over muscle hypertrophy.<\/p>\n The user experienced dramatic testosterone suppression, decreasing from 750 ng\/dL to 193 ng\/dL. This significant decline indicates potential damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA).<\/p>\n In our experience, SARM-induced testosterone suppression is typically transient. Research also shows that testosterone levels commonly recover post-cycle<\/a> (10<\/a>), assuming no other anabolic substances are administered.<\/p>\n However, SARM supplementation may worsen the health of hypogonadal individuals by exacerbating damage to the HPTA. Alternatively, individuals with normal or elevated testosterone levels may opt to abstain from SARMs in order to maintain optimal hormonal balance and preserve fertility.<\/p>\n Individuals under the age of 18 who utilize SARMs are at an increased risk of long-term testosterone deficiency, as their immature endocrine systems are more susceptible to adverse side effects.<\/p>\n Some people believe that low testosterone levels only affect men. However, women can also experience complications and thus may refrain from taking SARMs to maintain optimal energy levels, libido, and mood.<\/p>\n The user reported aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes being excessively high post-cycle, in conjunction with their blood lipids deteriorating.<\/p>\n Thus, SARMs may increase the risk of users experiencing:<\/p>\n Therefore, the use of SARMs may pose significant health risks for individuals with hypertension or elevated liver enzyme levels.<\/p>\n Such side effects, regarding liver and cardiovascular toxicity, align with what Dr. Thomas O\u2019Connor has observed from overseeing 2,000 SARM users over 10 years. Consequently, Dr. O\u2019Connor is currently of the opinion that SARMs may be more toxic than anabolic steroids.<\/p>\n RAD-140\u2019s hepatotoxicity<\/a> is particularly concerning, with research documenting a 49-year-old male with hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury (11<\/a>). This occurred following a four-week cycle of RAD-140, with only infrequent use afterward.<\/p>\n Such an injury signifies the potential risk of toxicity with RAD-140, even with relatively short-term use.<\/p>\n Dr. Rand McClain has mentioned that RAD-140 users exhibit more favorable bloodwork profiles on average compared to users of other SARMs, such as Ostarine (S-22<\/a>).<\/p>\n In contrast, Dr. McClain has noted that Ostarine can have deleterious effects on health. This suggests that individual responses to SARMs may vary significantly, highlighting the importance of personalized assessment by a medical professional and monitoring when considering these substances.<\/p>\n Due to the high incidence of counterfeit SARM products on the market, this user\u2019s RAD-140 was potentially diluted or entirely void of the true compound. However, this hypothesis is unlikely, given the:<\/p>\n This user also reported a loss of hair toward the later stages of his cycle, known as telogen effluvium, which is caused by an increase in DHT. This may not be a major issue for individuals using SARMs sporadically, since hair enters the anagen (growth) stage once a SARM cycle<\/a> ends.<\/p>\n However, regular and prolonged SARM use can lead to more permanent effects. In such cases, hair thinning, recession, or loss may become irreversible.<\/p>\n Therefore, individuals concerned about hair recession or thinning may find the results of SARMs to be unsatisfactory.<\/p>\n He adds that there was \u201cpressure to be bigger\u201d for the role and that SARMs helped him successfully bulk up. However, Shia warns that consuming very high calories in conjunction with SARMs resulted in his cardiologist expressing concern for his heart health.<\/p>\n It is important to recognize that individual results from SARMs can vary significantly, and achieving the same level of muscle mass as Shia is unlikely, unless users consume equivalent caloric intake to support anabolic growth.<\/p>\n The before-and-after pictures previously illustrated are representative of the standard outcomes following an initial SARM cycle.<\/p>\n Thus, SARM users appear to be hyporesponders compared to anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users. The latter are typically hyperresponders in regard to muscularity and fat loss. Increased anabolism from anabolic steroids can be attributed to their superior potency when binding to androgen receptors, causing greater:<\/p>\n In our experience, the before-and-after picture<\/a> below is a typical transformation from a first steroid cycle<\/a>.<\/p>\n In contrast, SARM users are likely to experience negligible reductions in subcutaneous body fat, with only modest increases in muscle hypertrophy (size). They will typically gain 5\u201310 pounds of lean mass from a cycle.<\/p>\n This user\u2019s results are noteworthy, given they utilized testosterone as a standalone cycle instead of stacking it with other potent anabolic steroids, such as:<\/p>\n These results indicate a vast difference in potency between SARMs and anabolic steroids, with the latter being more effective at adding muscle mass in our experience.<\/p>\n However, Deca Durabolin and Anadrol can cause low testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism. Research has also shown that Anadrol can cause substantial fluctuations in cholesterol and liver enzymes due to its status as a C-17 alpha-alkylated compound (12<\/a>, 13<\/a>).<\/p>\n This means that Anadrol has been chemically modified at the 17th carbon position with a methyl alkyl group, enabling it to be taken orally. Consequently, Anadrol is resistant to hepatic breakdown.<\/p>\n However, such resistance also results in the liver working harder to detoxify the compound, contributing to hepatocellular stress.<\/p>\n Anadrol is also an estrogenic steroid. Therefore, the following side effects are possible because of its direct stimulatory effect on estrogen receptors:<\/p>\n Individual results may vary when transitioning from SARMs to anabolic steroids, based on:<\/p>\n Testosterone was the first-ever anabolic steroid, created in 1935 by scientists Ernst Laqueur, Adolf Butenandt, and Leopold Ruzicka. In contrast, the first non-steroidal SARMs were created in 1998 by researchers at the University of Tennessee and Ligand Pharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n In our experience, SARMs can replicate a portion of the muscle-building effects achieved by testosterone<\/a> and other anabolic steroids (16<\/a>). Dr. Rand McClain states that testosterone may pose fewer cardiovascular risks and promote more anabolism than SARMs.<\/p>\n Therefore, individuals seeking to prioritize their cardiovascular health may be more suited to a carefully tailored testosterone-replacement therapy protocol rather than SARMs.<\/p>\n Dr. McClain adds that there are more clinical studies detailing testosterone\u2019s effects in comparison to SARMs, enabling medical professionals and users to understand more about its benefits and risks.<\/p>\n A cycle of testosterone<\/a> may produce more optimal results, compared to SARMs, in terms of muscle hypertrophy and subcutaneous fat loss.<\/p>\n Furthermore, testosterone is unlikely to cause negative effects on liver enzymes. However, studies indicate that supraphysiological dosages of testosterone can cause moderate adverse effects on cholesterol (17<\/a>). Therefore, any testosterone-replacement therapy plan must be tailored to the individual and regularly monitored to determine a suitable dosage for optimal cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n It appears the initial claims of SARMs having a more acceptable safety profile than anabolic steroids warrant further evaluation, with evidence of:<\/p>\n Thus, based on existing case reviews, SARMs appear to be comparable to anabolic steroids in terms of toxicity. However, individuals exhibit variable responses to anabolic substances. For instance, an individual may present with an unfavorable lipid profile when cycling testosterone. However, they may retain normal blood pressure levels throughout Ostarine supplementation.<\/p>\n Consequently, it is imperative for individuals exposed to SARMs or anabolic steroids to undergo blood testing so a healthcare professional can evaluate the individualized physiological response to the administered substance(s).<\/p>\n Dr. Thomas O\u2019Connor<\/a> is widely considered a pioneer in the medical community for specializing in the care of former anabolic steroid, SARM, and PED users. With over 20 years of experience and a board certification since 2005, he offers expert guidance on harm reduction strategies.<\/p>\n Dr. O\u2019Connor is a clinical instructor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine<\/a> and has been featured in various media publications, including Generation Iron<\/a>, Dr. Phil<\/a>, National Geographic<\/a>, The New York Times<\/a>, Muscle and Fitness<\/a>, and others.<\/p>\n Dr. O\u2019Connor also co-authored the largest survey on anabolic steroid use, which involved 2,385 men and was published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Men\u2019s Health<\/a>. Dr. O\u2019Connor holds active medical licenses in Connecticut and Florida.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You do not have any posts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n<\/p>\nHighlights<\/span><\/h2>\n
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SARMs Before and After #1<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"SARMs](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sarms-before-and-after.jpg\")
This is a 5-week before-and-after picture published on Reddit demonstrating the combined effects of:<\/p>\n\n
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Moderate Muscle Growth<\/h3>\n
Visceral Fat Increase<\/h3>\n
![\"SARMs](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sarms-before-and-after2.jpg\")
We have also found visceral fat accumulation to be common among anabolic steroid users (4<\/a>). This effect is due to MK-677 increasing estrogen and insulin resistance.<\/p>\n\n
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Beard Growth<\/h3>\n
MK-677 and Body Composition<\/h3>\n
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Best SARMs Company in 2026<\/h2>\n
Chemyo<\/h2>\n
![\"Chemyo](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/chemyo-rad-140-bottles-1.png\")
\n <\/div>\nSports Technology Labs<\/h2>\n
![\"Sports](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sports-technology-labs3.png\")
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\n <\/center><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nSARMs Before and After #2<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"SARMs](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sarms-before-and-after3.jpeg\")
This Reddit user completed a 12-week cycle of RAD-140 (Testolone) at 17 mg\/day.<\/p>\n\n
Muscular Strength<\/h3>\n
Testosterone Suppression<\/h3>\n
Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity<\/h3>\n
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RAD-140 Authenticity<\/h3>\n
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Androgenetic Alopecia<\/h3>\n
SARMs Before and After #3<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Shia](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Shia-LaBeouf-SARMs-transformation.jpg\")
Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf states that he gained 55 pounds for Salvable<\/em> by:<\/p>\n\n
SARMs Results vs. Other Anabolic Agents<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Steroid Progress<\/h3>\n
![\"testosterone](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/testosterone-first-cycle.jpg\")
This YouTube user administered conservative dosages of testosterone, adding approximately 20 pounds of lean mass, while significantly:<\/p>\n\n
SARMs Before and After<\/h3>\n
![\"transition](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/natural-to-sarms.png\")
The above subject had not taken PEDs in the left image. The right image is after they completed several S4 (Andarine), MK-2866 (Ostarine), and GH (growth hormone) cycles. An increase in latissimus dorsi (back) thickness is apparent, along with overall growth throughout the body.<\/p>\nTransitioning to Anabolic Steroids<\/h3>\n
![\"SARMs](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sarms-to-steroids-before-and-after.png\")
The left photo is post-SARM use, and the right photo is post-steroid use. Deca Durabolin (nandrolone<\/a>) and Anadrol (oxymetholone<\/a>) were the two anabolic steroids he regularly utilized.<\/p>\n\n
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SARMs vs. Testosterone<\/h3>\n
Summary<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"SARMs\"](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/sarms7.jpg\")
Non-steroidal SARMs are not FDA-approved and are investigational compounds (14<\/a>). Therefore, anyone who utilizes SARMs could potentially damage their health.<\/p>\n\n
Co Authors :<\/h2>\n
![\"doctor](\"https:\/\/insidebodybuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/doc2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n\n