Category: Biohacking

By: M. G. Thibault

What are Androgenic Receptors?

You probably already know that testosterone and synthetic esters of this male hormone have a huge role in muscle growth and development. However, do you know the exact role of androgenic receptors (AR’s) in muscle growth?

Androgenic receptors are the primary target of anabolic steroids, growth hormone, IGF-1, and most performance-enhancing drugs work by stimulating hypertrophy in muscle tissues. 

There is a considerable density of androgen receptors in muscle tissue, specifically in the myonuclei. These receptors profoundly modulate the response of the muscles to contractile stimuli (ie. Resistance training – weights). The data indicates that the androgenic receptors are critical regulators of muscle growth, being both necessary and sufficient for full stimulation of protein synthesis and for fiber growth inside the muscle.

Because there are more testosterone-receptor proteins than actual cellular androgen receptors, this shows that there is a biological mechanism within all cells to respond whenever it encounters androgens.

Given AR’s widespread expression in many cells and tissues, Androgen receptors have a diverse range of biological actions including important roles in the development and maintenance of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immune, neural and hemopoietic systems.

Many of today’s bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts are taking supplements daily in order to improve some aspect of their physique. These compounds are usually synthetic anabolic or growth promoting agents that work by artificially increasing hormone levels and the secondary to that – stimulating the androgen receptor sites, which in turn allows for the development of the muscle cell with increases in strength depending upon the compound used. Sarms bypass the artificial hormone elevations and drops and targets the Androgen Receptors directly and selectively.  

Androgenic Anabolic Steroids

When you hear about anabolic steroids, you think about their ability to increase muscle mass and strength. However, what many people don’t know is that these compounds also come with some severe side effects on a user’s health, due to their non-discriminatory action on different cells. 

As what was mentioned earlier, androgen receptors are found in different cells and tissues all over the human body. They are present in fat tissues, muscles, bones, the prostate gland, liver, nervous system, brain, hair follicles and cardiac cells.  

So when you say non-discriminatory action, this means that when you take testosterone for muscle growth, it doesn’t only stimulate the androgen receptors in the skeletal muscles, it also affects the different AR’s in the body resulting in oily skin, acne, hair loss, headache, nausea and vomiting. What’s even worse, some individuals take massive amounts of this testosterone esters that are way, way above the recommended dose, which may cause, in extreme cases, liver diseases, prostate cancer and heart attacks. As soon as a synthetic hormone enters the body, it signals the hypothalamus in the brain to stop producing LH and FSH. In short, natural testosterone production is shut down as the body reads there is no reason to continue producing T since it is receiving synthetic testosterone from and outside source. Sarms mitigate this process by their design of not being a hormone, but a direct Androgen Receptor Modulator.

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)

This is where Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) come into play. These compounds have a selective action on the body, which means that they affect only certain parts of it. SARMs are a novel class of androgen receptor ligands. They bind to the androgen receptor more selectively, exhibit tissue selective activation of gene transcription and enhance protein synthesis. The relative selectivity of SARMs for muscle and bone over prostate and sebaceous glands has potential application in the treatment of muscle wasting, osteoporosis and functional limitations associated with aging. 

The unique pharmacology of SARMs makes it a much safer choice compared to androgenic anabolic steroids. Because of its high selectivity — meaning it only stimulates the androgen receptors of muscles, bones, body fat, nerves, connective tissues and in some Sarms like Tight® (RAD140), the brain. Sarms have become a reliable tool and a fitness staple among serious fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders and athletes who aim to take their physique and strength building goals to the next level.

With Elite Sarms Tight® (RAD140), a daily intake of 10mg, which is equal to 1ml, affects muscle tissues resulting in a significant increase in strength and endurance. By attaching to androgen receptors, Tight® (RAD140) stimulates muscle development while repairing connective tissues (bones and joints) and efficiently metabolizing body fat.  

Another muscle building superstar in this category of compounds is Elite Sarms Decavar® (MK-2866).  Decavar® (MK-2866) stimulates tissue regeneration by targeting the androgen receptors in muscle fibers. It also increases nitrogen in the blood vessels that supply muscle tissues, enabling more blood and nutrients to flow and nourish the muscles. The enhanced levels of nitric oxide also improves and aids in muscle tissue recovery by clearing lactic acid and sustaining pH balance, thus making Ostarine the greatest muscle tissue regenerator of all SARMs.

Decavar® (MK-2866) has been demonstrated in studies to prevent muscle degradation following recovery from major surgery or other disorders.

What is The Take Home?

Overall, what we’re trying to achieve is to get as close to the ideal scenario as possible. And that means not only getting the proper nutrition and training with enough volume and intensity, but also choosing a healthy and intelligent supplement regimen in a way that favors muscle growth.

SARMs are a class of supplements that offer similar anabolic effects to steroids with the purpose of increasing muscle mass, gaining strength and promoting the loss of fat without the undesirable side effects associated with steroid use. Rest assured, with appropriate dosing of your chosen SARMs supplements, trusted suppliers with full transparency (See ES Lab Tests Results here), you will not experience water retention, blood pressure increase, liver damage or testosterone shutdown, while enjoying the benefits of maximum gains in lean muscle and strength while preserving your hard earned muscle.

Elite Sarms are the future of athletic performance supplementation.