Bodybuilding is a sport that has been heavily influenced by Performance-enhancing drugs from its advent. The more reluctant bodybuilders become to limit themselves to ordinary physiques, the more they tend to rely upon technologically-revised and improved drugs. Over the years, several professional bodybuilding arenas and competitions have banned the usage of these to maintain fair play.

Even as the usage of ster**ds has made the bodybuilding world face a lot of consequences in the long run, participants continue to use them to build their bodies. One such category of PEDs is SARMs, which seem to have entered the bodybuilding arena in recent times, with claims that they have little to no side effects.

What are SARMs?

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, known as SARMs are a kind of experimental medicine that claims to help in building muscle mass without having the side effects like any other ster**ds. These Androgen Receptors also claim to aid bone density and help in particular tissue growths. Hence, SARMs have the potential to grow into an impressive medicine for several muscle-effecting diseases like HIV, osteoporosis, cancer, end-stage liver disease, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Because of its potential to become an effective medicine in the future, SARMs are made legal only for Research purposes. In fact, according to Sports Integrity Australia, “They are not only banned in sport, but many have not undergone clinical trials and have not been deemed fit for human consumption.” They further suggested how the FDA had circulated a fairly severe warning against the usage of SARMs. “Because they are illegal, SARM products do not undergo any quality assurance checks, and may not even contain the substances they claim in advertisements or on labels,” the government agency added.

The major reason behind SARMs popularity is because of the no side-effects claim. However, the question remains as to how distinct they are from ster**ds.

SARMs vs Ster**ds

Therapeutic compound SARMs have similar anabolic properties to that of any other anabolic ster**ds. However, these drugs do not have the same amount of androgenic elements. While SARMs are activated through bonds like androgens, such as testosterone, Ster**ds on the other hand bind themselves to varying tissues in the body, unlike the specific sites as SARMs do. This tissue-selective nature of SARMs has been claimed to aid muscle development reducing the chances of side-effects as much as ster**ds.

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Despite its claims, SARMs often do not undergo the necessary verifications about their effects on people. It also has almost as severe side effects as any other ster**ds. According to the FDA, it can even lead to heart attacks, strokes, and liver damage. Ster**ds, on the other hand, have proved to cause side effects like malfunction of the kidneys, liver, and heart, and additionally induce psychotic aggression, paranoia mood swings, and at times, deep depression.

With all its questionable effects and no proof of safe consumption by humans, SARMs do not usually get recognized legally. Even in the field of competitive bodybuilding, it has very few supporters.

IFBB’s decision on SARMs usage

Since the FDA announced the public warning against the usage of SARMs, it has never been legal to use in any sports , and is only available online and sold for research purposes. In IFBB’s prohibited lists for professional athletes, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators are banned, along with other anabolic agents. The list of banned SARMs includes andarine, enobosarm (ostarine), LGD-4033 (ligandrol), RAD140, S-23, and YK-11.

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Despite many former PED users coming out and opening up about the difficulties they faced, the fitness medicine market is still hell-bent on trying out new ways to entice its clientele. Although SARMs have been warned as not fit for human consumption, many IFBB Pro participants secretly take these experimental medicines which in turn calls for a higher surveillance for the breach of rules.

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Do you think it is possible for bodybuilders to depart from using such medicines and supplements that promise them a bulkier physique at the cost of their health? Let us know your views on the matter in the comments below.