SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) are powerful compounds that are used for a variety of purposes, including muscle building and fat loss. They can also improve bone density and increase stamina. These drugs are similar to steroids in that they build muscles and increase strength, but they have a more focused or targeted effect. They bind to androgen receptors and stimulate specific tissue growth, such as muscle or bone, without the same effects on other tissues, like the liver. This makes them a more precise and effective treatment than steroids, which have a much more broad or scatter-gun impact.
They are currently being investigated as a clinical treatment for conditions such as osteoporosis, muscle-wasting associated with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and heart failure. In addition, some SARMs may be effective in mitigating the muscle wasting and weakness caused by HIV/AIDS. SARMs are also popular among bodybuilders who use them to build muscle, but it’s important to note that they are not steroids and must be taken under a doctor’s supervision.
A large number of SARMs have undergone preclinical proof-of-concept and toxicology studies, and several have made it into phase I and II clinical trials (1, 2). Research efforts are focusing on developing SARMs with greater potency and tissue selectivity. In order to achieve these goals, the structure of SARM pharmacophores is being explored. The first SARMs to be developed were aryl propionamides, and since then a number of structural categories have been identified: bicyclic hydantoins, quinolinones, tetrahydroquinoline analogs, indoles, benizimidazole derivatives, azasteroids, and diaryl anilines (1, 2).
Ostarine, formerly known as MK-2866, was created by GTx in the 1990s for the treatment of osteoporosis and muscle-wasting conditions like cancer cachexia. It is the most clinically characterized SARM and has shown promise in treating skeletal muscle deficits in aging and chronic illness, as well as improving a range of health outcomes, such as bone density and lipid profiles (1, 2).
Another recently developed SARM is enobosarm, which was designed by GlaxoSmithKline to treat osteoporosis, but it is also becoming popular with bodybuilders for its potential to increase both strength and muscle mass. It is the most potent SARM and has an estrogenic effect (2, 3) that increases muscle growth while decreasing body fat.
Although some SARMs are sold in products marketed as workout supplements, they have been officially classified by the FDA as investigational drugs and not dietary ingredients. In addition, they are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredient List (1, 2).
It is essential that you only take SARMs with the help of a physician or qualified trainer. These drugs should only be taken for short periods, such as 8 to 12 weeks at a time, and should be followed up with a period of rest or PCT. This will allow the body to recover and reset its hormone levels, so that it can respond to future cycles. It is also important to follow the dosage instructions, and always talk with a professional before purchasing any SARMs for sale online.