What are SARMs?

First off, I have to get this out of the way – I am not a doctor, any of what I say here should NOT be taken as medical advice! This is my personal experience and opinions and should be taken as such.

“Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are a class of therapeutic compounds that have similar properties to anabolic agents, but with reduced androgenic properties. This property allows SARMs the advantage of androgen-receptor specificity, tissue selectivity, and the lack of steroid-related side effects. Some potential side effects of anabolic steroid use include acne, liver damage, breast tissue development, and shrinking of the testicle in males, and deepening of the voice, growth of hair on the face, stomach, upper back, and abnormal menstrual cycles in females. SARMs have the ability to differentiate between anabolic and androgenic activities, and this provides the potential for therapeutic opportunities in a variety of medical conditions including muscle-wasting diseases, osteoporosis, cancer, and hypogonadism.” [1] [2] (https://www.usada.org/selective-androgen-receptor-modulators-sarms-prohibited-class-anabolic-agencts/)

Clear as mud, huh? In a Google search for the words “What are SARMs” this was the first article to appear; published by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency). Well written but leaves a lot of questions unanswered. For those of us “in the know” about SARMs already, this article is just a refresher. For those whom up to this point have only used creatine and whey protein powders, it can sound a bit sketchy and they may close the browser thinking it too risky. Others (myself included) thought to themselves (Sh#% just got real). 

If you know where to look on the internet, in a few weeks you can learn a lot about SARMs. You can read actual medical studies, browse websites (many are advertisements) watch YouTube videos (most are poor quality) and still come away with so many questions! 

My purpose is to help educate individuals by first breaking down the science of each Research Chemical; putting it into layman’s terms, and then giving my personal experience with each one (if I have any). Remember, these are by no means recommendations. Just my personal experience.

Enjoy.