The best SARMs on the market in 2022 [1] continue to take the world by storm.
That seems feasible, seeing as they are allowing men and women to build muscle and to look mean and toned, with greater precision.
No wonder excitement around these products is so palpable.
You could say the market has exploded with SARMs products.
People are jumping onto the bandwagon, trying to get their piece of this modern-day gold rush of supplements that work.
But like many things that glitter like gold, there are often dark sides.
SARMs ban too is considered unsafe, in fact, using it in dietary supplements should be avoided.
Understanding the SARMs Ban in 2025
What are SARMs and why is there bad hype about them?
SARM stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators [2]. Yes, they are similar to steroids, both functionally and chemically.
But they are not exactly the same. SARMs have less extreme effects than steroids do.
In fact, lots of companies who sell SARMs like to state “the benefits of steroids without the side effects”.
But anyway, it is the chemicals in SARMs that help the body to produce DHT or dihydrotestosterone.
This is a male sex hormone, and it works to give you more male characteristics like increased muscles.
Unfortunately, there is a side effect of DHT and that is that it speeds up the process of growing bald.
Well, today, balding heads are very attractive to some, and a huge big head of hair is no longer as trendy as it was in earlier days.
Maybe that is why many users of SARMs see first the attractive chiseled and lean body and are not so worried about the hair side effects.
Why Do People Still Use Steroids When SARMs Are The Better Choice?
That’s because SARMs are not proven yet. They are not yet finished being studied or developed; they are still going through safety tests etc.
So while SARMs do increase muscle mass and strength, there are still faults with them.
Naturally, the manufacturers will claim that they don’t have side effects.
But users of SARMs experience the same side effects as those that take steroids.
In the past, there have been other steroid alternatives that have been banned. Companies had plenty of these products in stock before they were banned.
Once they were banned, it left them with thousands of dollars worth of products that couldn’t be legally sold.
As soon as SARMs started becoming popular, a lot of the products on the shelves of the companies were labeled as SARMs and sold like that.
That in itself is illegal.
Besides being banned, there have been no regulations on the products, so basically, you have no idea what you are really buying.
It makes it very hard to find a trusted manufacturer for real, pure SARMs performance-enhancing drugs.
Because there is a ban on SARMs, manufacturers sell them for ‘studies and research only’.
So that when you buy them, you are not supposed to consume them – you should be only using them for research purposes.
But we know that, of course, people aren’t buying them for that – They are buying them to use for themselves!
It, of course, puts them at risk of getting sick or suffering an injury. Products that are banned are banned for a reason.
Unless you are getting yours from a trusted source and you know exactly what you are doing.
Studies have been done on rats, which caused cancer; so that’s not a good sign.
Alright, you can’t compare the bodies of animals as being the same as humans, but still – food for thought.
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators have only Existed For Around 20 Years
There is no long-term research on SARMs.
And if it is a product that affects your hormones, and your hormones are affected, you can mess up your entire body.
In the future, there might be more research done on the safety of using SARMs.
But for now, the best advice is to stick to the products that have been well-researched with an understanding of the side effects, plus safety.
You should know that foreign chemicals are bad for your body
And that goes for just about all other research chemicals. Things that aren’t naturally found in the body won’t be good for it.
The body was created as a well-oiled machine that was meant to run on certain natural nutrients and foods.
Most of the hormones and chemicals that are created in the body are what your body needs.
Natural hormones and chemicals are managed by the body and are also regulated at the right levels.
As soon as you start adding in foreign stuff such as SARMs, you throw off your body’s entire natural hormone and chemical balance.
That’s not to say that your body can’t experience chemical and hormonal imbalances on its own.
Things like high stress, mental and emotional problems and problems with your physical development can also upset the body’s natural rhythms and balance, etc.
But when you do add in anabolic steroid, you just so easily can cause your body to become misaligned.
And often, the damage caused is irreversible.
Dietary Supplements Containing SARMs Remain Illegal for human use in 2022
While SARMs are banned in weightlifting and sports organizations, it is not actually illegal to take them.
What is the illegal thing; is for the companies to try and sell them to you.
Why? selective androgen receptor modulators are not approved by the FDA for human consumption [3].
That means they have not been regulated and are unsafe to use.
Without regulation, it means manufacturers don’t need to ensure they are safe – it means that can put in whatever chemicals they feel like.
There aren’t any rules around the side effects. No accurate ingredient labels need to be put on the bottles or packaging.
There won’t be any legal repercussions for manufacturers for any damages that are caused.
Legally, SARMs cannot be sold for human use – SARMs Control Act
That means they are risky for you to take if you do get hold of them and they are not regulated.
Then you don’t know what you are getting inside. You can imagine how dangerous that can be to your health.
You need to find a manufacturer where you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are getting a good product.
Otherwise, the effects of your unknown product could stay with you for the rest of your life.
Where can I find safe products then?
Today, in 2022, it is still very hard to find pure SARMs. There are heaps of sketchy websites and many that seem to be legit.
They might well be scam companies, prepared to sell you a bad product.
Of course, you do get a rare website that will sell you a true product.
That won’t mean it’s safe. It just means that you are getting what they say you are getting.
Some people will buy products online and then have them tested at a professional lab.
Once again, getting a real product doesn’t mean it’s a safe product. SARMs drugs have dangerous side effects, period.
In fact, some fake products can even be safer than the real thing.
In saying that, if you do manage to find a trusted manufacturer, it is still not recommended that you take SARMs.
Just Say You Are Scammed Into Buying A Fake Product
Well, the best you can do is to toss it out and make your way to a doctor where he can ascertain your health situation.
Don’t forget to also leave a bad review on the website so other people don’t fall into the same trap!
Unfortunately, often the root of the problem with fake SARMs lies in the legal system itself.
They mean well by banning unsafe products. But then, they allow them to be sold as ‘research drugs’ which doesn’t do people any good.
In fact, it has created huge loopholes for companies to use the opportunity to sell SARMs to whoever believes in them and wants to get hold of them.
If you are determined to take PEDs, here are a few tips
Although any chemical that you put into your body has the potential to be dangerous, there are a few steps you can take to make your experience safer.
The same goes for SARMs and PEDs. Here are a few tips:
1) Avoid them when you are young
If you are really interested in them, avoid taking them before you are 21 to be on the safe side.
It’s worth staving off muscle growth and giving your body the chance to grow and develop naturally first [4].
2) Before taking any type of drug, talk to your doctor first
A doctor can help you discover any medical problems that might be inflated by taking SARMs or steroids.
This can save you from the potential health risks of taking PEDs, particularly when the advice comes from a health professional.
3) Go for regular check-ups
If you are taking SARMs, you need to keep in touch with your doctor.
You need his advice on whether they are OK for you to take, to begin with, and then also if you are taking them, you need to get regular check-ups.
Because then your body can be monitored to ensure that it is reacting well to the SARMs and that no side effects are causing problems.
Talking to your doctor helps you to understand the risks of taking SARMs.
Side Effects of Taking SARMs
There aren’t a lot of SARMs that are being pushed through the pharmaceutical pipelines for clinical development. But some are.
They are:
1) Ostarine
Ostarine, or MK-2866, was noted to be a generally safe SARM and well-tolerated in all of its trails.
Ostarine, in fact, is probably one of the most researched SARMs right now.
In the start, it was developed to prevent muscle-wasting diseases like osteoporosis.
Ostarine has an excellent effect on muscle-building, and many users have started to experiment with it. It is said to be highly effective at enhancing performance.
However, it is still being investigated. Because it hasn’t been approved, it is still at risk to those who take it.
2) Ligandrol
Ligandrol or LGD-4033 has been tested in humans and showed up as being well-tolerated and safe to use, with predictable pharmacokinetics.
Having gone through clinical research, the data shows it as being highly effective at the right dosages.
Hormonal suppression did occur, though, even at low dosages. Many users use it for bulking, building muscle mass, and strength.
Evidence on this SARM is still limited, and it is not recommended that people take it.
- Two others are GSK2881078 [5] and PF-06260414 [6].
Where can I buy SARMs?
If you have already made up your mind that you want to try SARMs, it is recommended that you buy them from a credible company.
It should be a company that has third-party tested their product – that they have a good track record of pure, accurate products.
Look at these companies – they are trusted companies for third-party testing of pure SARMs:
- Brutal Force
- Crazy Bulky
- Swiss Chems
- Chemyo
- Amino Asylum
In Which Countries are SARMs Legal?
The legality of SARMs is complicated. They are all illegal to buy.
They’ve got compounds in them that are labeled as “Research Compounds.” Today, in 2022, this hasn’t changed.
So that means all SARMs, even the ‘good’ ones are illegal.
Two years ago, lots of countries considered it legal to buy SARMs, except Australia, for critical medical reasons.
But each country has different laws that match the main concept of banning SARMs.
Are They Legal in Professional Sports?
SARMs give users a huge advantage in the form of added strength, body endurance, and lean body mass.
It is because of this very reason that they are banned in every sport in the world.
The United States Anti-doping Agency, (USADA) says SARMs are prohibited substances, as do WADA, The World Anti-Doping Agency.
But there are some bodybuilders and professional athletes who still use other SARMs in recovery.
This is because it takes only 1-2 weeks for some SARMs to clear out of the body.
Some take longer. But often the compound becomes undetectable in a drug test and the chances of getting caught are less.
But you can be assured that there have been athletes, such as cyclists, MMA fighters, and CrossFit stars that have been banned from competing after SARMs appeared in their blood.
What about the USA – Are SARMs legal there?
There is no doubt that the USA is the biggest marketer of steroids and SARMs.
That’s because heaps of the SARM companies are based in the USA.
Therefore, some conditions make it easy to buy SARMs in the USA without causing too many problems.
Soon, all SARMs particularly, S23 and YK11 will be banned in the USA. It will be because there is no human trial evidence.
Back in 2019, a bill was passed – it was called the SARMs Control Act of 2019 [7]. This bill has not yet been passed.
This will give the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) the right to monitor and regulate SARMs in the same way as anabolic steroids.
Check these two statements out there from the SARMs Control Act of 2019.
“The DEA needs to have the ability to control synthetic steroids that have not been tested by the FDA and are often marketed deceptively,”
“Our bipartisan legislation would expand the DEA’s authority to crack down on bad actors peddling synthetic steroids that pose a risk to consumers.”
The DEA will have the authority to regulate the SARMs in the USA.
It qualifies them to ban the SARMs companies who don’t have the permission to sell SARMs or who are selling them with other counterfeit compounds.
What about SARMs being legal in Australia?
The law in Australia is different from the USA with respect to SARMs. The TGA regulates SARMs in Australia.
In Australia, SARMS are considered illegal, and not to be used without a doctor’s prescription.
SARMs in Australia is a Schedule 4 substance by the Australian Government.
Are SARMs legal in Canada?
The law in Canada in 2021 changed in that you could buy SARMS legally, but only for research purposes.
Still, there isn’t a law by the Canadian Government saying that the selling of SARMs is legal.
In a nutshell, SARMS are only legal in Canada if you use them as research compounds.
What About in Europe?
Every European country approved the legal buying of SARMs back in 2020. Europe has different health regulation laws.
A lot of European countries have SARMs available on the black market. Some even sell them openly.
Europe may be where to get legal SARMs but rules for use in sports still applies.
Does The UK Allow SARMs legally?
There are several British companies involved in the manufacturing of SARMs.
It is currently legal to buy them in the UK. One of the largest companies that sell SARMs in the UK is Receptorchem.
They manufacture RAD 140, Cardarine GW501516, MK677, MK-2866, and LGD-4 SARMs.
However, in saying that, you do need a permit or a doctor’s permit to buy SARMs.
What about Germany’s SARMs Ban?
Germany has a huge market for SARMs. From 2020, SARMs was legal in Germany.
German companies are manufacturers of SARMs and lots of bodybuilders from countries all over the world use Germany’s SARMs.
Would you buy them if they were legal?
Look at these before and after pics – then you decide if you want to get your hands on SARMs.
You have to admit, the pics look pretty appealing and you would wish these bodybuilding supplements were completely legal and safe.
But with their side effects, you have to realize that taking them can result in life-threatening reactions and your health suffering.
OK, the side effects might be less dangerous than taking anabolic steroids.
But usually, professional bodybuilders know exactly how to take the perfect amount of androgen receptor modulators SARMs during their cycle.
There are such things as alternatives to taking androgen receptor modulators.
This could be your gateways to achieving excellent bodybuilding results if you don’t want to get involved with the prohibited substance, even should it become legal.
It’s not as if androgen receptors are the ultimate solution.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that SARMs are dangerous. As we’ve mentioned before, there are many variables that would go into how they would affect you.
Insufficient research has been carried out on them to figure out truly whether they’re clinically safe or not.
Human trials have been done on them as well as stories from people that have taken them – all point to good-looking bodies, but what if it can hurt your health and cause a heart attack for example?
Just like with any drug, anything that is not natural for the body will be bad for your body. Your body is designed to make its own chemicals.
Introducing new chemicals and other substances can throw off your brain’s chemical balance and cause problems for years if not for the rest of your life.
Don’t take it but if you are determined to, though, chat to your doctor about it to see if you are in a healthy state to start taking them.
Remember to source reliable products, and to monitor your health while you consume SARMs.
Some groups of people will tell you that SARMs don’t have any side effects associated with them – they are steroid alternatives.
Then there will be the other group who will tell you that they suffered from side effects that they would not recommend that others take.
But to be clear, human studies show that they bind to the androgen receptor; they are known to transcribe tissue-selective anabolic effects via androgen receptor activation; and finally, they are said to work.
That all sounds well and good, but they do have negative effects.
SARMs might well be the future of performance enhancement as well as musculoskeletal degenerative disease treatment and more.
It is said that with clinical trials, SARM will continue to improve and become more effective as time goes by, enabling the less tissue-selective anabolic steroid to be phased out.
But that’s just somebody’s take on the future of one of many research chemicals that need to be proven.
What do you think? In the meantime, there is some good advice out there – best to stay away from them and save your health – surely that’s the most important thing?
Sometimes once you lose your health, you can’t get it back.
References
- [1] https://www.jpost.com/promocontent/8-best-sarms-for-cutting-bulking-muscle-growth-and-fat-loss-2022-698357
- [2] https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/recreational-use-of-selective-androgen-receptor-modulators
- [3] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-bef/fda-brief-fda-warns-against-using-sarms-body-building-products
- [4] https://www.healthline.com/health/do-guys-keep-growing-until-age-25
- [5] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02567773
- [6] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02070939
- [7] https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2895/all-info