MK 677: Dosages, Benefits, Side Effects

With advancements in medical science, researchers have developed several synthetic compounds that alter hormone response. While most of these compounds are developed to treat some ailment, they often find their way into sports like bodybuilding. Why? Because these drugs, like MK 677, promise to provide enhanced gains.

While ste***ds have been around for decades, compounds like SARMs and peptides are relatively new inventions. MK 677 is among these modern inventions and belongs to a different category called growth hormone secretagogue (GHS). So what does the synthetic compound do, and what are its purported benefits?

How does MK 677 work?

MK 677 is the code name for the synthetic compound Ibutamoren. Unlike many other PEDs, this GHS doesn’t need to be injected and is bio-available in oral form. After consuming MK 677 pill the Ibutamoren mixes with the bloodstream and activates the body’s Ghrelin receptors. Ghrelin is a chrome that helps us regulate hunger.

Ghrelin’s other name is the hunger hormone. However, besides regulating hunger, Ghrelin also stimulates the pituitary gland, which releases growth hormones. Human Growth Hormone (HGH) stimulates the liver to produce Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF), which helps in hypertrophy.

GH is beneficial in bodybuilding in multiple ways. Besides promoting muscle growth, it also boosts cell repair, promotes better sleep, and aids in recovery. Bodybuilders often inject growth hormone directly to get jacked. However, it nearly cripples the body’s natural GH production. MK 677 doesn’t inhibit natural GH production.

Originally developed to help treat GH deficiency, Ibutamoren looks like the perfect GH injection alternative for bodybuilders. A study found that MK 677 increases GH production by up to a whopping 97%. So, the GHS sounds like the perfect drug that promises to boost hypertrophy through increasing natural GH production.

It also promises not to wreck the body’s natural GH production chain, thus avoiding the resulting drawbacks. However, if this sounds too good to be true, then you’d be right. MK 677 has many known and unknown effects on the body. 

The known and potential downsides of the GHS

Compounds like MK 677 often claim to have the potential to offer performance-enhancing benefits without harmful side effects. However, the GHS has its own set of side effects. The first and least harmful effect is the increased Ghreliin production. Ghrelin increase results in an appetite increase and, hence, more calorie intake.

Bodybuilders Greg Doucette and Nyle Nayga have discussed constantly feeling hungry while using MK 677. Nayga also explained that due to this effect alone, bodybuilders on a cut should stay away from the GHS. Nyle Nayga also spoke about increased insulin resistance and blood pressure when taken over a long period.

So the bodybuilder advised people using MK 677 to closely monitor their blood glucose levels regularly. Nayga and Doucette also spoke about feeling fatigued after using the growth hormone secretagogue. They felt the effect amplified when they took it in the morning. However, both had different experiences when it came to sleep.

While increased GH production improves sleep quality, Doucette said that he avoided taking MK 677 before bed as it could disrupt the sleep cycle. Meanwhile, Nayga spoke about getting better sleep when he took the drug before bed. The compound is also known to trigger the side effects of excessive GH production.

Excessive GH production leads to swelling, numbness of the extremities, and muscle pain. MK 677 triggers these side effects. However, there’s more. Sport Integrity Australia warns that MK 677 decreases bone mineral density and triggers anxiety. It may also trigger hormone imbalance, and finally, we come to the fact that it’s not approved.

MK 677 is a banned substance

While bodybuilders use MK 677 to pack on muscle mass, it’s a banned substance that’s not approved for human use. “This means there is no toxicity data and the extent of potential side effects, particularly long-term ones, remain unknown,” claims the Sport Integrity Australia website.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) includes Ibutamoren in its banned substances list. So athletes are tested for the substance and those who test positive face punishment. Besides WADA, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) also prohibits MK677 use both in and out of competition.

So, while MK 677 might help bodybuilders put on muscle, it has its fair share of side effects. People who use the drug to boot hypertrophy do so at their own risk. Despite anecdotal evidence of success, MK 677 remains an experimental drug whose effects on the human body are not known to the full extent.