Locations:
Search IconSearch

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Are Dangerous — Here’s Why

These illegal supplements have negative impacts for vital organs and may cause psychosis, heart attacks and more

A person with a muscular physique pours out pills from a bottle

Selective androgen receptor modulators (sometimes called specific androgen receptor modulators or SARMs) have been looked at as popular supplements among fitness enthusiasts and chiseled athletes. Why? Because they’ve long been thought to be less harmful than steroids for those looking to bulk up fast. In truth, though, SARMs may be more harmful than we initially thought because they could cause widespread complications for your body.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Family medicine physician Ayan Sanyal, MD, explains how SARMs are becoming associated with major negative effects on your body’s vital organs and why you should steer clear of them.

What are SARMs?

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) fall under a category of compounds that activate specific androgen (sex hormone) receptors in your muscles and bones instead of all the androgen receptors in your body. As a result, it creates a rush of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in those areas and stimulates fast muscle growth and an increase in bone mass.

Selective androgen receptor modulators examples

SARMs go by a number of different names, making them hard to spot in a laundry list of ingredients used in popular supplements. Often, you’ll see language on the package to the effect of “For research purposes only,” or “Not for human consumption.”

“The supplement market is highly unregulated and there’s very little quality control,” Dr. Sanyal warns. “Some of these products want you to think you’re getting SARMs, but they may actually have a very low percentage of those compounds or a very high, toxic level of these compounds. You just never know what you’re actually getting.”

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) says some of the most popular SARMs are:

Advertisement

  • Ostarine (Enobosarm, MK2866, S22)
  • Andarine (S4)
  • LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
  • LGD-3033
  • TT-701
  • RAD140 (Testolone)
  • S23

SARMs side effects

Some people will tell you that because SARMs are choosy about which receptors they unlock, they don’t have negative side effects. But scientific research says otherwise.

“More research needs to be done to know more about SARMs’ effects and their long-term effects, but the preliminary research has raised a number of concerns,” Dr. Sanyal shares.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that research to date has connected SARMs with risks and side effects like:

“SARMs have yet to be subjected to the high-quality clinical studies that need to happen to fully understand their risks and any benefits,” continues Dr. Sanyal. “Future research will also be able to tell us more about how SARMs interact with other medications and supplements.”

SARMs vs. steroids

Currently, there are no approved medical uses for SARMs, unlike anabolic steroids, which are commonly used to treat conditions like low testosterone.

Furthermore, the risks of misusing anabolic steroids have been well-studied and understood for years. But because SARMs work a bit differently by activating only selective androgens instead of every androgen in your body, there’s a common misconception that they’re safer — and that may not be the case.

“SARMs are still in the investigational stages by the FDA, so their safety profile and long-term effects haven’t been well studied,” says Dr. Sanyal. “But from what we do know, SARMs have been associated with very major negative impacts across several vital organs in your body.”

Are SARMs legal?

It’s illegal for companies to market or sell SARMs as supplements. They’re also banned by the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as for use by competitive athletes across several sports organizations, including the NCAA.

“More than 120 SARM products are on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, which means these products show up as a positive on a drug screening test, even if you haven’t taken them for a while or don’t take them regularly,” Dr. Sanyal notes.

Are selective androgen receptor modulators worth the risks?

SARMs haven’t been approved by the FDA and are associated with serious safety concerns. The FDA has, and will continue to, take legal action against companies selling products that contain SARMs. Until more widespread research is done to show scientific evidence of any potential benefits, you should steer clear of SARMs and talk with your healthcare provider if you’re considering taking any new supplements.

Advertisement

“You’re really rolling the dice by taking SARMs because we don’t know everything that they do to the body on the biochemical level,” Dr. Sanyal warns. “Eating a healthy diet with plenty of lean proteins and alternating cardio exercise with weight training is going to be the safer route to building muscle.”

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

A child uses a pool noodle to stay afloat while an adult supervises behind them
June 9, 2025/Children's Health
Pool Safety: How To Keep Kids Safe in the Water

Keep kids safe while they swim by staying vigilant and setting up a safe pool environment

People use various exercise equipment to work out at the gym
June 6, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
Is It Better To Do Cardio Before or After Lifting Weights?

The order of your workout matters when it comes to reaching fitness goals

Infographic of person on bike, with exercise benefits around them, like weight, skin, sleep and mood health
May 29, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
Workout Results: 12 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Body

A consistent exercise routine can bring you positive results from head to toe

People doing tai chi outside
May 28, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
Slow and Steady: The Health Benefits of Tai Chi

This ancient form of exercise can offer a physical and mental boost

Person doing a somatic yoga exercise
May 23, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
What Is Somatic Yoga?

Somatic yoga focuses on the sensation and experience of movement — not striking perfect poses

People doing tai chi in a park
May 23, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
Somatic Exercises: What They Are and How They Benefit You

Being truly present in your body while you work out may reduce stress, heal trauma and more

Person sitting at desk, on the computer for a team call, with call participants on the monitor
May 16, 2025/Heart Health
What a Sedentary Lifestyle Can Do to Your Health

Inactivity increases your risk of aches, pains and chronic diseases

Person holding a gel capsule, examining it
May 14, 2025/Eye Care
Vitamins and Foods for Dry Eye Relief

In moderation, vitamins A, C, D, E, B12 and omega-3 fatty acids can improve and maintain your eye health

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad