Top 5 Safest SARMs (and Ones to Avoid)

SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) have become very popular in bodybuilding circles due to their perception as safe alternatives to anabolic steroids.

Thus, just like with steroids, there are safe and riskier SARMs you can take. Read below to find out which SARMs present the least risk based on clinical studies and our tests.

Are SARMs Safe?

Firstly, we are not stating that SARMs are 100% safe and risk-free, especially as there is limited scientific research available regarding their effects.

We have observed notable fluctuations in ALT and AST levels, blood lipids, and serum testosterone levels, among other symptoms, in our patients who have utilized SARMs.

Thus, although some people may make a case for SARMs being safer than anabolic steroids, it is naïve to expect no side effects from them.

Safest SARMs

These are the five mildest SARMs on the market.

1. Ostarine
2. Andarine
3. Stenabolic
4. Cardarine
5. Ibutamoren

The last 3 compounds on this list are not technically SARMs but are included because they are often referred to as SARMs by the bodybuilding community.

The source from which researchers acquire SARMs is equally significant as the product they select to cycle. According to Dr. Jim Stoppani, “A recent study revealed that only 40% of SARMs were genuine,” which is a result of widespread mislabeling. Additionally, Dr. Stoppani states that the researchers neglected to conduct impurity testing, which indicates it is potentially hazardous to consume SARMs from a questionable source without validated certificates of analysis.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

Best SARMs Company in 2024

1. Ostarine

Ostarine, also known as MK-2866, is often the first SARM beginners take due to its mild nature and moderate potency. We often see novices build up to 10 pounds of lean muscle while reducing subcutaneous fat stores and significantly increasing strength on Ostarine.

The drawbacks of Ostarine are that it will raise liver enzyme values, indicating some hepatic stress. These quickly drop back to normal levels upon cycle cessation; however, Ostarine may be unsuitable for someone with a previous liver injury or inflammation.

Ostarine can also affect HDL and LDL cholesterol, causing a temporary and modest increase in blood pressure.

Our SHBG tests show Ostarine to be suppressive. However, not all users will experience low testosterone symptoms. This may be due to Ostarine lowering total testosterone but not free testosterone. Thus, a PCT is optional, with some wanting to correct their total testosterone score promptly, while others let their HPTA recover naturally.

Despite being considered mild or safe, Dr. Rand McClain states that Ostarine “is not my favorite SARM.” This is after Dr. McClain reviewed clinical literature showing Ostarine to cause notable testosterone suppression. Dr. McClain adds that SERMs and hCG can aid in the treatment of SARM-induced hypogonadism.

Note: In our experience, women gain notably more muscle hypertrophy than men on Ostarine, despite utilizing a lower dose. Higher dosages than this will increase the risk of side effects.

2. Andarine

Andarine, like Ostarine, is considered a mild SARM due to its fewer cardiac, hepatic, and HPTA-related side effects.

We have found Andarine to be particularly beneficial for enhancing vascularity and pumps. The strength gains on Andarine are also significant, with users building similar amounts of hypertrophy to Ostarine, being 5–10 pounds.

One unique side effect associated with Andarine is vision issues.

We have received reports of Andarine causing yellow or green rings to appear when looking in the direction of a light source.

Furthermore, when users transition from a dark setting to a light setting, it can take longer for the eyes to adjust to Andarine. It is unclear exactly why this occurs more often with Andarine than with other SARMs. Andarine having a higher binding affinity to ocular receptors may be a plausible explanation.

Anecdotally, we have found this side effect to be temporary, with normal vision restoring quickly upon cycle cessation. Thus, Andarine ranks high on our safest SARMs list, with it only having mild adverse effects.

Note: Vision issues are more likely to occur at higher dosages.

3. Stenabolic

Stenabolic, or SR9009, is often referred to as a SARM but is instead a Rev-ErbA agonist.

Stenabolic has potent fat-burning properties due to inhibiting glucose expression, increasing:

1. Mitochondria
2. Lowering blood sugar levels
3. Basal metabolic rate

In our experience, even sedentary individuals can burn notable amounts of fat from Stenabolic, due to it working at a hormonal level. However, combining supplementation with weight training or cardiovascular exercise will maximize fat loss.

We have also seen users undergo significant improvements in athletic performance on Stenabolic, which may be attributed to the increase in mitochondria.

Users should not expect to build notable amounts of muscle on Stenabolic, as it should instead be viewed as a fat-burning agent.

Anecdotally, we have not found Stenabolic to produce any notable side effects. Thus, despite being a research chemical, it does appear to be safe, at least in the short term. Stenabolic does not suppress the HPTA and even has positive effects on cholesterol and liver values (1); thus, it does not necessarily have to be cycled like a SARM. However, it may still be advisable to take it in 4–8-week cycles until its long-term effects are more thoroughly established.

4. Cardarine

Cardarine, otherwise known as GW501516, is a PPARD (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta) agonist that acts as a potent fat burner.

Our patients have also experienced vast improvements in muscle endurance when on Cardarine, due to PPARδ regulating muscle metabolism and repogramming muscle fibers (2).

Cardarine lowers cholesterol and improves insulin resistance. In research, we find Cardarine has the potential to be hepatotoxic in mice (3), although most humans anecdotally do not experience such issues.

The greatest concern for users is the carcinogenic risk of Cardarine. In research it has caused tumors in mice. However, it is worth noting that the rodents were taking excessive dosages (5 mg/kg per day) continuously for 2 years, whereas Cardarine is typically cycled at a fraction of that dosage (0.3 mg/kg per day).

Further research is needed for us to fully understand Cardarine’s connection with cancer; however, numerous users are utilizing Cardarine without any proliferation or obvious side effects.

5. Ibutamoren

Ibutamoren, otherwise known as MK-677, is a growth hormone secretagogue that is often included in the SARM family, with it building muscle and burning subcutaneous fat.

Some people in the bodybuilding community believe that Ibutamoren does not affect endogenous testosterone and is free from side effects. However, our tests indicate that Ibutamoren can cause HPTA complications in many users.

Dr. Ankit Batra states that Ibutamoren affects several hormones, causing a “spillover effect.” He specifies that MK-677 causes fluctuations in growth hormone, insulin, ghrelin, and IGF-1. Dr. Batra states that such alterations can improve sleep quality, recovery, fat loss, and muscle mass while stimulating appetite.

Ibutamoren makes this list because it is common for users to notice no side effects from a cycle while building 7–8 pounds of muscle and reducing their body fat percentage by a few points.

However, we have seen a few individuals experience mild forms of gynecomastia on Ibutamoren due to raised prolactin levels. Ibutamoren can also raise blood sugar levels, causing an increase in blood pressure and visceral fat storage. Dr. Batra also attributes elevations in blood pressure on MK-677 to increased blood viscosity that can potentially lead to “hypertension, plaque buildup, or left ventricle hypertrophy.”

Interestingly, our SHBG tests indicate that Ibutamoren suppresses testosterone levels. This appears to be an indirect effect related to prolactin, as Ibutamoren does not directly affect androgen levels.

Ibutamoren may also cause water retention, with GH-stimulating compounds increasing sodium retention (4). Consequently, Dr. Batra states that MK-677 can exacerbate bloating or edema in users, as well as obscure muscle definition.

Harshest SARMs

• YK-11
• S23
• RAD 150

YK-11 is technically a myostatin inhibitor rather than a SARM. We have seen YK-11 cause harsh side effects similar to anabolic steroids rather than SARMs. Our patients have experienced testosterone suppression, raised liver enzymes, increased cholesterol, acne vulgaris, and joint pain from YK-11.

S23 may be an exceptional SARM for muscle strength and pumps, but it also poses harsh side effects, most notably severe testosterone suppression.

RAD 150 is a more potent and harsher SARM than its predecessor, RAD 140. In contrast, we class RAD 140 and LGD 4033 as moderate SARMs with regard to side effects. These are two popular SARMs that users will utilize after their first cycle.

Below are some SARM anecdotes sourced from our Facebook group.

Just a heads-up on possible side effects of RAD 140: been through with a six-week cycle of RAD 140 and did bloods end of week five. Besides T plummeting, the cholesterol is through the roof, almost double what I usually have. I’ve never had issues with cholesterol before and did bloods also before starting the RAD cycle. The value was so high that the lab doctor wanted to schedule an appointment with a general doctor that day. He said that the recorded value was specific to an imminent heart attack. Also, the BP spiked as well, although I am not sure if it is related to the cholesterol value. Obviously we all react differently to it, but I thought maybe it was a good idea to have also the cholesterol checked after RAD 140.

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My favorite SARM is YK-11, besides RAD 140. Awesome strength gains quick. 10 mg of YK-11 with 20 mg of RAD 140 a day is the best stack out there in my opinion. I discontinue YK-11 at week 6 and run RAD 140 for 10 weeks total. Huge difference in effects than just RAD 140 alone. No noticeable side effects.

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YK and I have a love/hate relationship. I love the way it builds muscle and fullness. But I hated the way it dried my joints out. I felt like a 70-year-old man around weeks 6–7.

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YK-11 and S23 send you round the twist. Not in a good way either. Personal experience, of course!

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Safest SARM Stacks

There are no safe SARM stacks at this time, due to the effects of SARMs being unknown. However, based on existing research and our anecdotal observations, the least destructive SARM combinations are those that include one SARM with Cardarine or Stenabolic. With such stacking, users often enhance their results by combining a SARM with another compound that does not exacerbate low testosterone levels, cholesterol, or liver values.

Combining two or three SARMs together will cause harsher side effects on the HPTA, liver enzymes, and cholesterol levels, as opposed to cycling a single SARM.

Based on our tests, some of the safest SARM stacks we see are the following:

• Stenabolic and Cardarine
• Ostarine and Andarine
• RAD 140 and Ostarine

The above stacks are arranged from mildest to strongest. A Stenabolic and Cardarine cutting stack will cause the least testosterone suppression, as they do not affect the HPTA. In terms of bulking, an Ostarine and Andarine stack is likely to prevent excessive drops in endogenous testosterone.

Safety of SARM Alternatives

SARM alternatives aim to replicate the positive effects of SARMs with natural and FDA-approved ingredients. These supplements demonstrate excellent safety, posing no side effects to men or women.

However, the effectiveness of SARM alternatives remains unknown. Based on their ingredient profiles, users’ results are likely to be significantly less compared to real SARMs.

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