While SARMs are still relatively unexplored chemicals, they have quickly earned a reputation for being a safer alternative to anabolic androgenic steroids, or AAS.
But it’s important to remember that there are both SARMs benefits and side effects.
This is something that many people don’t realise. And the reason for that is that SARMs are now widely celebrated across many different communities – medical, healthcare, fitness, and exercise, for example – for having fewer side effects.
This is all due to how they work. As selective modulators, SARMs bind only to specific receptors, impacting desired tissues while demonstrating little effect on other parts of the body. They’re able to separate the anabolic effects – things like muscle growth – from the androgenic effects, such as increased body hair and more aggression.
Research shows that SARMs are effective at what they do. But that doesn’t mean we can overlook the potential risks of using unapproved chemical substances.
How common are SARM side effects?
The truth is that no one really knows how likely it is that side effects will be experienced. SARMs are still in an investigative phase. This means that individual studies can report their own findings, but there is still not enough available evidence to fully identify reactive patterns, or to be 100% sure that any noted reactions are due to the chemical rather than underlying physiological characteristics.
What we do know, however, is that studies have found that, on average, around 50% of participants will report some sort of undesirable side effect from SARMs.
It appears that some users may not notice any side effects of SARMs at all, while others could find that the side effects they’re experiencing outweigh the risks.
What side effects can SARMs cause?
The general consensus amongst researchers today is that ‘SARMs have few side effects’, and the most commonly reported side effects are generally quite minor.
These minor side effects include things such as mood swings and acne, as well as a possible decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. And one of the most notable SARMs side effects in men is a reduction in the size of the testicles.
Major side effects are understood to be less common, and are currently being investigated to determine the level of risk and likelihood. Some researchers have put forward theories that the long term use of SARMs could contribute towards the development of blood clots, myocardial infarction, and liver damage. The research available to date suggests that symptoms can improve by stopping SARMs usage.
Is there a ‘safe’ SARM?
Today, there are currently no SARMs that are approved by either the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Food and Drink Administration (FDA) so from an official standpoint, there is technically no ‘safe’ SARM. However, it is possible that some types of SARM could pose less of a risk in terms of side effects than others.
Different SARMs work in different ways, and have varying levels of potency. Andarine S4 is sometimes considered to be the SARM with least side effects because, as reports note,’it is regarded as being comparatively weaker than other popular SARMs’. Therefore, while Andarine S4 may cause some side effects, it is scientifically less likely than more potent chemicals to spark unwanted changes in the body.
Are SARMs side effects normal?
With studies finding that around half of all people will experience some sort of side effect from SARMs, it is not unusual for users to notice some minor effects. However, it is always recommended that anyone displaying new or unusual symptoms that are not normal for them and their body to discuss this with a healthcare professional.
‘Promising results have been obtained in preclinical investigations and initial clinical trials, but long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy studies in patients are still necessary’ – Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, Volume 8, Issue 2.
