Pros and Cons of Using Ibutamoren
Ibutamoren mesylate (MK-677) stimulates growth hormones, but studies have found potential harm and side effects. Why do people use it? What are the dangers? Read on to find out.
What is Ibutamoren?
Growth Hormone Stimulator
Ibutamoren is frequently discussed on online forums because of its muscle-building properties. It’s available online and used by people wanting to increase their growth hormone levels. Take note, however, that it is illegal to sell ibutamoren for human consumption.
However, clinical trials of this compound are few. Below we will highlight the current understanding of ibutamoren.
Ibutamoren is also called ibutamoren mesylate or MK-677. It is Thought to encourage the secretion of the growth hormone (GH) and increase insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
Ibutamoren possibly increases growth hormone levels by mimicking the action of this hormone ghrelin and transmitting to one of those ghrelin receptors (GHSR) in the brain. Activated GHSR stimulates growth hormone release from the brain.
GHSR is located in brain areas that control appetite, pleasure, mood, biological rhythms, memory, and cognition.
Therefore, some people today anticipate that ibutamoren may also affect those functions. However, so far, clinical trials describe only the effects ibutamoren has on appetite — and as anticipated, such as ghrelin, ibutamoren raises it.
According to some research, ibutamoren could possibly increase growth hormone levels with little if any growth in other hormones, such as melatonin. Cortisol inhibits the immune system, reduces wound healing, and impairs memory and learning, and it’s usually not good to have this hormone elevated.
“Ibutamoren is an unapproved drug that may raise growth hormone and IGF-1. It’s believed to have no impact on other hormones such as cortisol.”
Why Some People Today Use Ibutamoren
Bear in mind that none of the following uses are backed up by sufficient clinical studies. Almost all these factors derive from a projected incline in growth hormone; people assume that ibutamoren increases the effects of growth hormone, too.
However, due to the lack of study and inadequate safety data, we think you are better off talking to a doctor about accepted growth hormone medication or lifestyle & supplement changes which were shown to increase growth hormone.
“We strongly recommend that you don’t take ibutamoren for almost any purpose. It has been shown to have harmful side effects, and more adverse effects may yet be discovered.”
1) Prevents Muscle Wasting
In a study of eight food-deprived healthy volunteers, ibutamoren reversed protein reduction that could lead to muscle wasting.
In elderly patients with hip fracture, ibutamoren improved gait speed and muscular strength and decreased the number of falls.
2) Increases Bone Density
Growth hormone (GH) increases bone turnover and eventually bone density. But, because of the increased turnover in subjects treated with growth hormone, bone density can initially drop before increasing.
Basically, it takes time (over a year) to determine the bone density increase.
In three clinical trials of 187 elderly adults (65+ years), ibutamoren increased bone building, as measured by osteocalcin, a marker of bone turnover.
These initial studies show some promise, however, they are not of high enough quality to establish a benefit to bone density. Future clinical trials can offer further signs and shine a light on almost any negative side effects.
3) Improves Sleep Quality
A small, restricted study demonstrated that in both younger and elderly subjects, ibutamoren improved sleep quality and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep duration.
Apart from scientific studies, there have been many reports of improved sleep quality across online forums. But these reports might be due to a placebo effect. User experiences are never enough evidence to try potentially harmful unapproved drugs.
4) May Promote Longevity
Growth Hormone (GH) secretion and muscle mass both decline from mid-puberty throughout life.
In a study with 65 older adults, daily ibutamoren increased GH and IGF-1 amounts to those of healthy young adults without serious adverse consequences.
IGF-1 is thought to have beneficial effects on wellbeing.
Ibutamoren’s possible effect on lifespan remains under investigation. Presently available studies have been small and of relatively low quality; they are considered too small to prove a benefit, especially given the unknown safety profile of the drug.
5) Nootropic Outcomes
Some people utilize ibutamoren as a nootropic since it functions on the ghrelin receptor, which has nootropic effects. You may read more about those outcomes in the post on ghrelin. Science is, however, yet to ascertain if and how ibutamoren affects cognitive performance.
Two indirect mechanisms by which ibutamoren may improve brain function include:
· Increasing IGF-1, which enhances learning and memory
· Boosting REM sleep duration and sleep quality, which is essential for cognitive function
A study questioned the institution of low IGF-1 and Alzheimer’s disease, and whether ibutamoren can help. However, in this study, ibutamoren was unsuccessful/ineffective at slowing the development of Alzheimer’s disease in humans.
6) Combats Growth Hormone Deficiency
Ibutamoren can increase growth hormone, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 levels in children with growth hormone deficiency without changing the concentrations of prolactin, glucose, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyrotropin, cortisol or insulin.
It had an identical impact on severely GH-deficient men, but insulin and glucose also increased.
7) May Support Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration
The growth hormone increases tissue regeneration and wound recovery, therefore ibutamoren might aid with these.
There are individual reports of ibutamoren being helpful, but scientific studies are lacking.
Side Effects
Comprehensive clinical testing is required to determine that the side effects of a drug and ibutamoren haven’t undergone such testing. Therefore, ibutamoren might have other (potentially severe) side effects that have not yet been discovered. That’s why we say you should not take this medication: we don’t understand enough about its safety profile.
Nevertheless, the most typical side effects of ibutamoren in the existing literature are increased appetite, mild lower extremity edema, and muscle strain.
Several studies report an increase in fasting blood sugar and a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
These side effects are similar to those observed in people with elevated growth hormone levels, chiefly joint pain, and insulin resistance.
In elderly patients with hip fracture, ibutamoren elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and HbA1c, and there have been cases of congestive heart failure. The patients who underwent congestive heart failure were over 80 and had a history of previous heart failure.
It would be prudent not to take ibutamoren due to these dangers.
As an anabolic, ibutamoren ought to be avoided if you’ve cancer. Both growth hormone and IGF-1 can promote cancer development.
We would not advise taking ibutamoren for any reason, but particularly if you are Th1 dominant since the growth hormone has immune-stimulatory properties.
Ibutamoren may cause muscle strain and heart failure. It may raise blood sugar, hunger, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and cancer growth. Little and limited studies have already found serious adverse events suggesting this is a dangerous compound.
Takeaway
Ibutamoren is an unapproved drug that may boost growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1. Unlike other GH stimulators, it may be taken orally, once per day. Bodybuilders use ibutamoren to construct muscle and eliminate fat. Some people today assert that ibutamoren may also enhance bone density, sleep, and cognitive function, however, there are no studies to back this up. Ibutamoren may cause leg swelling, muscle pain, and insulin resistance. In rare cases, it may increase blood pressure and cause heart failure. Cancer sufferers should avoid ibutamoren because it might nourish the development of tumors. Clinical trials have, so far, been too small to reliably identify adverse consequences; the safety profile of ibutamoren is therefore faulty. We suggest strongly against accepting ibutamoren for any reason.
We at SARMs Pharm advise talking to a doctor prior to taking any drug, especially an unscheduled drug with restricted long-term security information in humans.
