Ibutamoren MK-677 is an HGH secretagogue. That puts it in the same class of chemical compounds as peptides such as sermorelin and ipamorelin. However, unlike sermorelin and ipamorelin, Ibutamoren MK-677 can be obtained in the US legally without a doctor’s prescription, and it can be taken orally.
Secretagogues are a class of drugs that increase the production and secretion of hormones like HGH.
Secretagogues are also known as “releasing agents.” As a releasing agent, MK-677 stimulates your pituitary gland to produce more of your own natural growth hormone.
MK-677 promotes the secretion of HGH and also has been shown to increase insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It does this by mimicking the action of the hormone ghrelin and binding to one of the ghrelin receptors (GHSR) in the brain.
The way that MK-677 binds to ghrelin puts it with the type of secretagogues known as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators or SARMs. SARMs are a class of therapeutic compounds that have similar anabolic properties to anabolic steroids but with reduced androgenic (producing male characteristics) properties. Unlike anabolic steroids, which bind to androgen receptors in many tissues all over the body, individual SARMs selectively bind to specific receptors in certain tissues but not in others – in the case of MK-677, it binds to the GHSRs in the brain.
Depending on your symptoms and degree of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Ibutamoren MK 677 has several proven benefits that can:
- Improve appearance
- Help you to lose weight
- Improve your general health
- Increase sleep quality
- Increase hair and skin health
Do not confuse Ibutamoren MK 677 with other products that claim to increase your level of HGH. Unlike many other “HGH boosters” such as SeroVital that are sold as “nutritional supplements and are usually combinations of proteins and amino acids, Ibutamoren MK 677 is a secretagogue that does indeed induce your body to produce HGH. How much and how beneficial that increase can depend on the individual and your particular HGH levels.
People often ask, “does Ibutamoren MK 677 really work?” and the answer is a yes to a degree. Studies have found that MK 677 can stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more of your own natural growth hormone.
What Are the Benefits of Ibutamoren MK-677?
The purported benefits of ibutamoren MK-677 include muscle-building, a reduction in muscle wasting, better bone density, improved sleep, and other anti-aging properties. Studies have found that it may also have some nootropic effects (improvements in brain function), and it may be beneficial in treating mild to moderate forms of growth hormone deficiencies (GHD).
While it could have some value in treating GHD, for that purpose, MK-677 is nowhere near as effective as genuine HGH injections or other prescription HGH peptide therapies such as ipamorelin injections or sermorelin injections. Rather, MK-677 ibutamoren is mostly used by bodybuilders and athletes as a legal alternative to HGH.
Such users report that they have experienced benefits such as improved recovery from training, improved muscle bulk, and better sleep. Many of them also use MK-677 as a therapeutic to heal sports injuries and related traumas. These users suggest that it helped them recover more quickly from sports-related injuries to the joints and tendons.
Are There Any Side Effects of Ibutamoren MK-677?
MK-677 is not approved for any use by the US FDA. It is sold and labeled as a “research chemical.” Some countries even label it as “not for human consumption.” Since it is unregulated, there can be any number of side effects from using MK-677, particularly if you get it from less-than-reputable sources.
Negative effects can come not from the ibutamoren itself but also from other unregulated products or ingredients it could be mixed and sold with, which could have unknown, or even toxic side effects.
The most commonly reported side effects from people who are regular users of MK-677 include headaches, hunger and sugar cravings, sleepiness, and water retention. Most users recommend taking Ibutamoren in the evening due to the sleep-promoting effects as well as in an attempt to avoid extra hunger and possible weight gain.
Other less common side effects of Ibutamoren MK-677 include:
- Lethargy
- Joint pain if you have previous medical conditions or elevated hormone levels
- Insulin resistance
- Possible increase in prolactin levels
What is the Usual Dosage and Administration of MK-677?
MK-677 is usually administered in pill form. Ibutamoren compound has benefits even at low doses, so there is absolutely no need to take high doses as you may have heard or seen in some “muscle magazines,” and in fact, you increase the risk of side effects at higher doses.
The best dosage for MK 677 will depend on your goals and the main purpose for using it. For example, the best dosage for MK-677 when looking to gain muscle mass and lose body fat is between 20-25mg per day. On the other hand, for other purposes, ibutamoren works well at lower doses. For the sake of optimizing HGH output, 5mg a day is sufficient enough to produce numerous HGH pulses over the course of a day. For recovery and general antiaging, the best dosage has been found to be 5-10mg per day.
What is the Half-Life Ibutamoren?
The half-life of Ibutamoren MK-677 is approximately 24 to 30 hours. That means that you can get the most ideal result by consuming it once every 24 hours.
Many people prefer to take their dosage in the morning. On the other hand, some people prefer to take it in the evening. Your dosage depends upon what your goals for taking MK-677 are. If you want to increase hunger and gain weight faster, then take it in the morning. Conversely, people who need to suppress appetite and need quality sleep prefer to take it in the evening.
Moreover, you can also split your dosage into two parts. Consume half dosage in the morning and the other half in the evening.
How are Ibutamoren, HGH, and Bodybuilding Related?
Since it is legal to use in the US and can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription, many bodybuilders turn to Ibutamoren as an alternative to HGH. Let’s be clear on something. HGH is a prescription medication. It is FDA approved for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency. It is not recommended for nor legally prescribed for “bodybuilding,” yet many bodybuilders, weightlifters, and other athletes use HGH to “bulk up” or otherwise build muscle and enhance performance.
So, in that respect, Ibutamoren is a viable alternative for bodybuilders, as it is legal to obtain without a prescription, it can help build muscle to some degree, and is generally safer to use than taking HGH injections without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision.
MK-677 can encourage the growth of new muscle cells in two ways. First, by signaling your pituitary gland to secrete more growth hormone, and secondly, by stimulating the release of IGF-1 in your liver. Combined, these hormones will work in synergy to boost protein synthesis and strength. Some bodybuilders claim that while “researching” the use of MK-677, they gained 6-8lbs of muscle in 6-8 weeks based on taking it orally once a day.
How does SARM Ibutamoren Work?
Ibutamoren MK–677, also known as SARM ibutamoren MK-677, works by promoting the secretion of the HGH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It does this by copying the action of the hormone ghrelin and tying up to one of the ghrelin receptors (GHSR) in the human brain.
When GHSR activates, it stimulates the pituitary gland, which is located in the hypothalamus of the brain, to produce and release growth hormone.
How Well Is MK-677 Researched?
Ibutamoren MK-677 is not as well-researched as it could or should be given its widespread use and claims to be a viable HGH alternative. However, there is some research to suggest that it can help build muscle, increase energy and treat mild symptoms of GHD to some degree.
The few studies mostly show that MK-677 has the most benefit to limited populations such as those with low bone density, those who have trouble sleeping at night, and individuals with conditions that can cause “muscle wasting” like HIV-AIDS.
Is Ibutamoren MK-677 legal and safe?
There is a lot of confusion about the legality of using ibutamoren in the United States. As of this writing, you can buy and use MK-677 without a doctor’s prescription everywhere it is sold other than in Australia, where a prescription is required for purchase and use.
Ibutamoren MK-677 is sold as a “research chemical,” and in many countries (including the US), it is labeled “not for human consumption.” It also is banned as a “performance-enhancing drug” by most major sports organizations. This has all led to a lot of confusion about its legality, but the simple answer is – yes, ibutamoren MK-677 is legal to buy all over the world except Australia.
While it is legal to buy and use ibutamoren in the US, in November 2019, a bill was passed called the SARMs control act of 2019. Basically, the bill gives the DEA (the United States Drug Enforcement Agency) the right to regulate SARMs the same way that they can regulate anabolic steroids.
That does not mean that SARMs like MK-677 are illegal; it simply means that the DEA will be able to “crackdown on bad actors,” or in other words, DEA will be able to punish SARMs companies who don’t have the correct permissions to legally sell MK-677 and those who sell SARMs spiked with other substances or falsely label or make false or misleading claims about the products.
How Does MK-677 Compares to HGH?
There really is no comparison of the benefits you can get from genuine HGH injections and MK-677, especially if you have actually been diagnosed with age-related growth hormone deficiency. Currently, scientists have investigated only the short-term effects of MK-677 on the HGH levels in GHD patients. Whether the drug has the potential to reverse or manage the symptoms of growth hormone deficiency for the long term remains largely unknown.
In particular, if the cause of GHD is injury or some other damage to the pituitary, secretagogue therapy like MK-677 is useless, as such compounds are basically ineffective in patients with a severely damaged pituitary gland that’s no longer able to produce HGH.
Furthermore, because of the way it increases appetite, it is not likely to help GHD patients manage symptoms such as abdominal obesity.
On the other hand, HGH therapy involves injecting exogenous recombinant growth hormone that is identical to the HGH normally produced by the pituitary. Therefore, its effectiveness does not depend on the level of pituitary function. There have been innumerable studies that verify the voluminous benefits of growth hormone therapy.
A study entitled Obesity, growth hormone, and weight loss, concluded that growth hormone could indeed reduce abdominal fat.
Another found that HGH specifically reduced obesity in post-menopausal women. And yet another on HGH and weight loss in children confirmed that “HGH had [fat burning] properties that resulted in reduction and redistribution of body fat.”
A recent study analyzed the impact of growth hormone therapy on muscle mass and power in adult men. The results showed that HGH injections “significantly increased” exercise capacity, led to positive changes in body compositions, and decreased total body fat, and increased lean muscle mass.
A study on HGH published in the March 2018 edition of the International Journal of Molecule Science, entitled, Treatment with Growth Hormone for Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome: Benefits and Risks, concluded: “Growth hormone replacement exerts unquestionable beneficial effects in many [adult] patients with GHD, and its use is safe for approved indications. [In addition,] HGH has shown beneficial effects on body composition, exercise capacity, bone structure, serum lipids, and quality of life.”
In terms of safety and side effects, both MK-677 have potential side effects; however, HGH is a prescription medication that is approved by the FDA; therefore, unlike MK-677, its production in the US is well-regulated for safety and purity. Also, if you have been prescribed HGH injections to treat GHD, even adult-onset or age-related GHD, you will be taking it under a doctor’s care and complete medical supervision, and therefore your risk of complications or side effects will be kept to a minimum.
Keep in mind that Ibutamoren MK 677 is labeled as “to be used for research purposes only” and “not for human consumption,” you do not put a label like that on a generally “safe” product.
Now that you know a lot more about the possible benefits of Ibutamoren MK 677 sermorelin therapy, why not contact us and find out if this or any other kind of growth hormone therapy is right for you?