Do SARMs Work As Good As Steroids?
For years, bodybuilders have used steroids as a means of muscle gain. Even our favorite fitness celebrities are known to have used steroids at least once.
The things people will do to look good! Steroids are a shortcut to getting those gains you want. And they do work. We cannot deny that.
But choosing the “steroid path” has its consequences. People have suffered from significant side effects as a result of steroid overuse. Steroids are also notorious for shortening life expectancy or causing cardiac arrests.
Over the years, we have experimented with several steroid alternatives. And none have proved better than SARMs.
SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are a kind of drug used for muscle building. Some people also refer to SARMs as “legal steroids.” Although they work similarly, SARMs and steroids are two different drug types. SARMs are a safer and more therapeutic approach than steroids.
But do SARMs work the same as steroids? Let us find out.
Do SARMs Have The Same Side Effects As Steroids?
Before taking any drug, knowing its side effects is vital. Doctors will prescribe the best medicine that will work for you. But every drug comes with certain drawbacks.
Steroids give you quick and efficient results. But there are a lot of side effects to using them, which we will discuss further below.
We have talked about the safety of SARMs. Yes, they are a better alternative to anabolic steroids. But these drugs have their fair share of cons.
But are these side effects similar to the ones we get from steroids? In short, yes, they share similar side effects. But SARMs effects are less extreme. Let’s find out more.
Side Effects of Steroids Vs. SARMs
To know whether they match, we must look at both the side effects of steroids and SARMs.
Manufacturers claim that SARMs have lesser side effects compared to steroids. And most of this is true. People who use SARMs state that they experience milder complications.
We experience lesser aftereffects with SARMs because they are selective. This means that SARMs target specific tissues directly, causing less harm to other cells.
Let us compare the main side effects of both SARMs and steroids.
Liver Problems
Both steroids and SARMs will affect our liver at some point. But surprisingly, steroids are less prone to cause drastic effects.
Liquid SARMs can cause liver inflammation, similar to some oral steroids. In a test, two healthy individuals received Ligandrol and RAD 140 for nine and four weeks, respectively.
Both patients showed signs of liver damage in this short period. This is a significant concern for SARM users. Thus, experts recommend steroids in injection form. They offer lesser risks if you want to protect your liver.
Breast Enlargement
Steroids and SARMs are both notorious for causing gynecomastia or breast enlargement. This is because both drugs have properties that convert testosterone into estrogen.
A steroid or SARM user will notice puffy nipples at first. This will eventually grow larger and look like female breasts. The primary cause is because of the enzyme called aromatase present in steroids.
Thankfully, SARMs do not have it. But they can increase estrogen levels indirectly. SARMs and natural testosterone compete for claim over the androgen receptor. And due to their high affinity, SARMs win the race.
The good news is users can use anti-aromatase inhibitors like Arimistane with SARMs. Steroid users also use SERMs to hinder estrogen build-up.
Effects On Testosterone
Steroids are testosterone agents or forms of artificial testosterone. Thus, when we use steroids, our body stops producing natural testosterone.
After the end of our steroid cycle, we will experience a lack of libido, a decrease in sexual activity, etc.
On the other hand, SARMs cause a similar effect. Although they are not steroidal drugs, they have a high binding affinity. This will lead to a decrease in testosterone production.
However, such effects are temporary. They will last for a few weeks or months, depending on how much you use. Consequently, milder drugs can cause lesser aftereffects.
Blood Pressure
Steroids and SARMs can also cause blood pressure and a rise in cholesterol levels. Oral steroids will shift cholesterol which will lead to anxiety or hypertension. Injectable steroids are less riskier.
On the other hand, SARMs can also decrease functional cholesterol levels. This will lead to a build-up of fats in our arteries. And since most SARMs are oral drugs, the severity is similar to steroids.
In this case, injectable steroids are a safer option. And although most SARM drugs are taken orally, you can find SARMs in injectable form.
Other milder side effects from both drugs include:
- Mood swings
- Stomach ache
- Short-sightedness
- Diabetes
- Acne
Which Is Safer: Steroids or SARMs?
Now comes the question: Which one is safer? Steroids or SARMs? In short, both are acceptable. But we cannot say they are 100% safe.
There are some variants on the market that are FDA-approved. But a majority of steroids and SARMs are still under trial and research.
But if we were to pick a side, we recommend going for SARMs. And we will explain why below.
SARMs are a better choice than steroids because they are milder. They are more selective in their approach than most steroids. This means they target specific tissues carefully without affecting others.
Both steroids and SARMs help build muscles. But steroids affect our liver, shrink our testes, increase body hair, etc. In brief, the anabolic-to-androgenic ratio is less compared to SARMs.
Steroids give us a 1:1 anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, while SARMs give us 3:1 or more. Thus, we gain more lean body mass while our testes or clitoris are safe.
What’s more, SARMs have more valid research to back them up. SARMs are relatively new. But more data suggests SARMs are safer despite steroids having considerable research.
Some SARMs are legally available for purchase as long as you have a prescription. And if you’re looking for long-term effects, go for SARMs.
Here are other advantages SARMs have over steroids:
- SARMs cause milder or lesser side effects than steroids.
- SARMs are available orally. They come in tablet or liquid forms.
- SARMs are more effective in increasing bone structure and red blood cells and building muscles.
- SARMs are cheaper than steroids.
- You can combine several SARMs to create a bulking stack. This stack will give faster results than a single drug cycle.
- SARMs are a better choice for female bodybuilders.
SARMs and steroids will remain a go-to for fitness freaks. And although they are not 100% safe, we can expect positive results. The only downside is you can expect plenty of side effects.
SARMs are the “new kid on the block.” And people have studied steroids more than SARMs. But despite the little research, they have more positive data to back them up.
Experts suggest SARMs as a healthier option. But be aware. Neither drug is 100% safe. But with the knowledge available and further dedicated research, the future looks bright.
