The chances are, some time before now, you’ve come across a world of bodybuilding steroids and SARMs that claim to help you get shredded. Whether you know them by name, is another thing. You may have heard some dudes down the gym shouting about the best anabolic steroids and SARMs to encourage lean body mass, but had no real clue what they were on about.
And that’s totally okay. If you caught a little of their conversation, you may have heard the term ‘MK-677- being thrown around. Otherwise known as Ibutamoren mk 677. If you’re still feeling confused, don’t worry, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about this type of SARM.
Designed to stimulate the production of the human growth hormone (HGH) – as well as insulin-growth factor 1 – MK-677 has grown in popular in recent years. Now, let’s dive in a little deeper….
So, how does MK-677 actually work?
Without boring you with an hour-long biology lesson, we’re going to give you the lowdown on MK-677 and how it encourages muscle growth.
In short, it’s all about the growth hormone. Unsurprisingly, your growth hormone levels are what enable muscle growth. If you were to have a lack of HGH, or sporadic production, you would struggle to build muscle mass. The way in which MK-677 works is by mimicking your body’s natural hunger hormone (Ghrelin), by binding itself to your brain’s ghrelin receptors – therefore causing a release of HGH.
Via this process, MK-677 is able to boost your growth hormones, therefore promoting muscle growth. Thankfully, during this, MK-677 doesn’t increase other hormone levels (such as cortisol, the stress hormone).
But surely it sounds too good to be true?
Who uses MK-677?
This type of selective androgen receptor modulator wasn’t created to be used by bodybuilders and gym-goers. In fact, its original purpose was to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and muscle wasting. Ibutamoren mk 677, when examined in a trial of 32 healthy eldery people, led to a 55% increase in IGF-1 levels at week two, and a 88% increase after four weeks.
While there is very little research into MK-677’s effects on children, a variety of studies have been carried out on healthy young adults and healthy older adults.
Multiple studies have shown using MK-677 has resulted in a slight reduction in LDL levels, an increase in bone mineral density and a small amount of weight gain in the elderly (during a two year study).
What are the benefits of MK-677?
Before we review the dosage and potential side effects of MK-677, let’s see what the real benefits are. So far, we know that many use MK-677 to promote muscle growth, but is that all?
As a SARM – selective androgen receptor modulators – MK-677 has similar effects to those of popular anabolic steroids. Generally speaking, they tend to have fewer androgenic qualities. But what else can you expect?
Muscle growth
Used with the intention of increasing lean body mass, MK-677 is taken daily as an anabolic substitute. By stimulating growth hormone release, this popular SARM allows you to gain muscle quicker.
But don’t know take my word for it… Several studies have backed up its effectiveness in building lean muscle mass. While it is predominantly taken in pill form, one study using injections of MK-677 resulted in an increase in the strength of thigh muscle – during a study of 60 year old participants.
However, like any type of bodybuilding steroid, there is no guarantee as to how much lean muscle mass you may gain.
Fat loss
As well as promoting fat free mass, MK-677 has shown to also encourage fat loss. During one study, MK-677 was found to boost resting metabolic rate. However, I wouldn’t get too hung up on this potential ‘benefit’ as the study carried out was a very small sample size.
Reduces muscle wasting
With MK-677 originally designed to alleviate muscle wasting, multiple studies have found it successful in this aspect. During research amongst healthy young adults, MK-677 proved pretty positive in reversing protein catabolism.
Increases bone mineral density
MK-677 has been shown to potentially benefit a number of health conditions, including the power to increase bone mineral density. This finding can have a huge impact amongst obese individuals, older adults and women with menopause.
Also Read: Looking for 100% legal and safe alternatives to SARMs?
While you may be considering MK-677 for its muscle strength abilities, increasing bone mineral density could be considered an added benefit.
High quality sleep
Yet again, another added benefit of MK-677. Since it works to enhance HGH levels, it is commonly thought that Ibutamoren MK-677 can improve sleep quality. Better sleep will not only set you up for the following day, but also support your GH levels.
Anti-ageing properties
As we age, muscle gain and growth hormone levels can take a hit. Naturally, as we get older, it can be more difficult to increase muscle mass – while HGH levels gradually decline. So, it comes as no surprise that older adults take MK-677 to increase growth hormone levels, therefore ‘slowing’ the effects of ageing.
Increasing levels of growth hormone in this manner can have a knock-on effect, upping the production of other important hormones in succession.
Improved cognitive function
Since MK 677 has similar effects to the hunger hormone – ghrelin – some research has shown that this popular SARM may also increase cognitive function, too.
Several of MK-677’s benefits are connected – since improved cognitive function can also be associated with better sleep. Of course, a good night’s rest also contributes towards your energy levels, overall health and therefore overall performance.
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Treats growth hormone deficiency
By now, it should be somewhat obvious how MK-677 affects your GH levels. Alongside other reported benefits, MK-677 increases growth hormone levels – also known as dwarfism, or pituitary dwarfism, and is caused primarily by a lack of growth hormone within the body.
The benefit of using MK-677 to treat this type of deficiency is its power to increase GH levels without impacting cortisol or insulin.
MK-677 side effects
While there appear to be many benefits to using MK-677, including:
- Improved sleep quality
- Reversing muscle wasting
- Enhanced body composition
- Increase lean body mass
- Increasing bone density
Are there any side effects to this popular SARM?
Well, of course, like any drug, there are often side effects. Unlike some other SARMs and anabolic steroids, MK-677 certainly feels a lot milder. However, that doesn’t mean that MK-677 is suitable for everyone.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to SARMs
Those who are diabetic, and people sensitive to insulin may experience increased symptoms when using this type of SARM. There are a few other side effects that have been reported:
- Increased appetite
- Exhaustion
- Painful joints
- Resistance to insulin (which can lead to fat gain)
- Increase in prolactin levels
As well as:
- Tingling in hands and fingers
- High blood sugar levels
- Water retention and bloating
However, most of these side effects have been particularly prominent due to prolonged oral treatment or improper dosage.
How long does it take for MK-677 to start working?
While some drugs require a build-up in order to reach a certain level of effectiveness, MK-677 is a fast-acting drug that pretty much gets working right away. After one dose, HGH levels will increase rapidly, with results noticeable after as little as a week.
However, this early boost is due to water and nitrogen retention, rather than a permanent long-lasting result.
MK-677 vs HGH
So far, researchers have investigated the short-term effects of MK-677 on growth hormone levels in GHD patients. With plenty of research to be done in this area, it is somewhat unknown as to whether MK-677 could manage the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency in the long term.
HGH therapy – in comparison to MK-677 – involves injecting exogenous recombinant growth hormone, and its effectiveness does not depend on the level of pituitary function. At present, it is the only FDA approved drug for treating the condition.
In regards to their side effects, both HGH and MK-677 have the potential to increase water retention, blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
MK-766 vs Ipamorelin
There are several GHS (growth hormone secretagogue) around which trigger the ghrelin receptor. Ipamorelin is another option for those looking to increases growth hormone levels. However, unlike MK-677, this type of growth hormone secretagogue must be injected 2 to 3 times a day.
Plus, it also has a significantly shorter half-life (around 2 hours). Furthermore, using Ipamoreline as a growth hormone secretagogue can lead to a leap in hunger and cravings – while also enhance lean muscle mass.
But… I should probably also mention that it does cause fat gain, too. Unlike MK-677, this type of growth hormone secretagogue is likely to make you gain fat, rather than lose it.
MK-677 vs GHRP (yet another growth hormone secretagogue)
If you’ve done your fair share of searching for selective androgen receptor modulators, you will have no doubt come across GHRP. The most notable growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRP) include GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. They are also GHS which act by activating the ghrelin receptor.
The GHRP-2 has a half-life of about 30 minutes while GHRP-6’s half-life is 2-3 hours. Due to their peptide structure, they also need to be injected several times a day.
GHRP-6 is the first growth hormone-releasing peptide developed and MK-677 is derived from its molecule. GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 have similar effects to Ibutamoren as they lead to a significant increase in water retention, hunger/cravings, and weight gain.
MK-677: Our conclusion
If you’re eager to increase your muscle mass, shred fat and even enhance bone mineral density, it comes as no surprise that MK-677 may be tempting.
However, like with any type of drug, it’s important to weigh up the benefits and potential side effects. It seems fair to say that MK-677 certainly seems safer than many other anabolic steroids and SARMs, however, getting the dosage right can be the main struggle for many. Especially when the downsides can include exhaustion, out of control hunger, joint pain, and potential insulin resistance.
Is it worth the risk and uncertainty? Potentially not. This is why we created a legal, safe alternative to MK-677. With no need for injections (like many other HGH drugs), and zero side effects, IBUTALEAN works to take your muscle growth to a whole new level! With anti-inflammatory properties and accelerated healing, you can go HARD in the gym and reap ALL the benefits.
