MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

It is amazing how MK-677 has gone from a little known GH secretagogue to a PCT staple for SARMS users.

Then there are some who are using it for year-long cruises while they blast with multiple cycles of SARMS.

But is it really an effective compound that will help you retain your gains when you come off a PED?

What are the benefits of running a GH secretagogue all year round? Does it increase muscular hypertrophy?

Does it have any anabolic effects at all?

Most importantly, what can you expect from a cycle of MK-677 if you are a lifelong natty?

Let’s find out.

What is MK-677?

For the uninitiated, MK-677, also known as Ibutamoren or Nutrobal is a growth hormone secretagogue and a ghrelin mimetic.

It mimics the action of the hunger hormone ghrelin, which in turn leads to an increase in the amount of Growth hormone secreted by the body.

An increase in GH automatically increases the secretion of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, which is one of the most desirable hormones for athletes and bodybuilders.

Unlike synthetic, exogenous GH which is obscenely expensive and has a laundry list of side effects to be concerned about, Ibutamoren is tolerated fairly well and has minimal side effects.

You might have read or heard about how it can amplify the results of your SARMS cycle and allow you to retain most of the gains post cycle.

Here’s what you can expect from a Nutrobal cycle.

Increased Hunger – Week 1 onwards

Ibutamoren mimics the action of the hunger hormone ghrelin, which allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier.

This will make you hungry most of the time.

The additional hunger can be very beneficial to anyone who’s looking to bulk or someone who has a tough time consuming more calories than needed.

That’s one of the reasons why a lot of people are adding it with bulking SARMS like LGD-4033 and RAD-140. MK makes it a lot easier to eat a large meal barely two hours after you’ve eaten.

The caveat is that if you do not watch what you eat, you can gain a lot of water and fat, which you might lose when you come off the drug.

Also, if you are planning a cutting cycle, it could well be the worst nightmare of your life. Imagine having incessant hunger pangs all day when you are trying to restrict calories.

To counter this, a lot of users take their dose of Ibutamoren an hour before bedtime. This supposedly helps increase the GH spikes that occurs when we sleep. Not to mention that it might minimize the hunger pangs.

However, it might result in disturbed sleep, which is counterintuitive to what MK-677 is used for.

Better sleep – Week 1 onwards

Nutrobal is renowned for having a nootropic-like effect on your quality of sleep. It is clinically proven to improve REM sleep in adults and if you are having trouble falling asleep, even a tiny dose can prove to be extremely beneficial.

That’s another reason why people consider adding it to an LGD-4033 or RAD-140 cycle. Both these compounds are notorious for causing insomnia.

Ditto with thermogenic fat burners like the ECA stack. If that additional cup of caffeine is keeping you awake, add MK-677 to the stack and you’ll sleep like a baby.

Oh, get ready for really lucid dreams though. Enjoy that while it lasts.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632578/

Faster recovery – Week 2 onwards

One of the benefits of supraphysiological levels of GH, as indicated by athletes and bodybuilders is a marked improvement in the rate of recovery. Also, it is touted to be very beneficial for healing joints and tendons.

Even if you have just blasted those legs, you’ll be ready to go again after just a few hours of restful sleep.

Fat loss – Week 4 onwards

One of the inherent effects of long term supplementation with Nutrobal is a change in body composition. It helps increase free lean body mass, which can be further amplified by clubbing it with other PEDs.

Let’s say you stack it with RAD-140 which makes you leaner and more vascular, the results should undoubtedly be more pronounced than what you could achieve by using RAD alone.

The fat burning/ body recomp properties of MK tend to work best when it is used in low doses for longer time frames though.

Also, you’d still have to find a workaround to counter those hunger pangs.

Muscle fullness – Week 2 onwards

As the Ibutamoren kicks in, there will be a noticeable increase in the fullness of your muscles. This isn’t like the constant pumps that Ligandrol or Testolone will give you, mind you.

Instead, your muscles look bigger because of the intracellular water that you gain and this usually lasts for a few months after you stop using it.

Some users complain that they look terribly bloated on their MK677 cycles. Well, all the rules that you would apply to a steroid cycle apply here too.

Watch your salt intake. Stay hydrated. Add in some potassium. Do your cardio. Your body is now gifted with amazing healing abilities. Put it to good use.

Better Skin from MK-677

Based on anecdotal reviews, increased levels of GH leads to an overall improvement in the quality of your skin. This effect may not be as pronounced as most people expect it to be though.

And if this is your reason to use MK-677, then you are better off looking for cosmetic alternatives because the side effects may not be worth it.

Edema in the limbs from MK-677

Some users experience swelling in their arms and legs, particularly near the ankles. That is a tell-tale sign of increased growth hormone secretion and usually subsides by itself without any external medication.

However, if you are an athlete who’s participating in any sporting event, then this might hamper your ability to perform normally.

Tingling sensation from MK-677

Nutrobal can cause a mild tingling sensation in your arms and legs. Again, this is nothing to be wary of until it starts to become really bothersome and affects the quality of your life.

It should subside by itself in a few days.