
MK 677 is a new compound making waves in the anti-aging and fitness communities. Also known as Ibutamoren, MK 677 is gaining popularity as a protocol designed to enhance the body’s production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
Many newbies confuse MK 677 as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). The reality is that this compound is neither a SARM nor a peptide. This growth hormone secretagogue tricks the brain and pituitary into producing more HGH, giving you unbelievable health and anti-aging benefits.
Are you thinking about introducing MK 677 to your daily protocol? Since MK 677 is a relatively new compound, there are no official guidelines for dosage. Understanding the right dosages is critical for the success of your muscle-building program or anti-aging therapy.
MK 677 already has plenty of benefits for introducing an anabolic state, boosting GH production. However, it’s also a useful drug for inclusion in your Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) protocol. How you decide to dose the compound plays a significant role in its effects on the body.
There’s plenty of anecdotal dosage protocols available online. Newbies might find some results that conflict with certain dosages, causing confusion about the right way to dose the compound. In this post, we’ll clear the air surrounding the correct dosage protocol for Ibutamoren.
What Is Ibutamoren (MK 677) and why do people use it?
What is MK 677
Don’t confuse MK 677 with a SARM. It’s an entirely different compound with unique effects on the body. This “growth hormone secretagogue” started as a pharmaceutical compound designed to treat patients with bone density problems and hormonal deficiencies.
HGH a highly anabolic hormonal compound. When we’re young, the brain secretes plenty of HGH, and it’s an essential component of the growth process. Kids that are deficient in HGH experience developmental problems causing physical limitations. MK 677 provides an alternative to HGH therapy, promoting the release of HGH by the pituitary.
Initial studies on Ibutamoren show it reverses catabolic states, boosting bone density while encouraging tissue repair. Further studies suggest higher HGH levels initiated by MK 677 protocols enhance sleep cycles and improve cognitive function.
Most notably, users experience an anabolic effect at high dosages, which is ideal for muscle growth. However, with MK 677 usage, you don’t require any PCT when coming off the compound.
What are the side effects of using MK 677?
Side Effects
As with all other medications and drugs, introducing exogenous compounds into your body results in some side effects. Side effects vary from person-to-person, and the intensity of the sides depends on the dosage you are using and your biology.
Some of the common side effects listed with Ibutamoren are the following.
- Cramping – mild bouts of cramping are common at all doses.
- Increase in appetite – MK 677 stimulates ghrelin production, making you feel hungry. This side effect is common at higher doses.
- Bloating and Water retention – Common in the first two to three weeks of your cycle.
- Reduction in insulin sensitivity – If you’re healthy, this should be temporary or non-existent
- Heightened blood pressure – Typically occurring in unhealthy individuals using high dosages.
It’s important to note that MK 677 use does not suppress the body’s natural production of testosterone, provided you are healthy. Steroids like testosterone cut off the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis), resulting in a delay of restarting the body’s natural production of the hormone when coming off the drug.
MK 677 doesn’t suppress testosterone production. Therefore, there is no need to run a PCT when using this compound.
Three dosage schemes for building mass, anti aging, and recovery
Dosage Guide
Ibutamoren comes with a half-life of 24-hours, meaning you only need to dose it once a day. However, to make the most out of your natural GH pulses, it’s better to split it into two doses, 12-hours apart.
Your natural HGH cycle peaks in the early morning and at night, initiating GH pulses that help your body recover from the stress of the day.
By initiating a protocol using a split dose, you get to mimic the body’s natural pulses. MK 677 spikes your HGH levels, and some people find that makes them feel sleepy. By splitting the dose, you eliminate this side effect of the compound.
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Some of the more common dosing protocols for Ibutamoren include the following.
- Split the dose into two, with one in the morning and before bed
- Take a single dose in the morning after you wake up
- Take a single dose in the evening before bed
So, what is the best dosage for MK 677? Your dose depends on your goals. There’s a significant difference between a protocol designed for anti-aging and increasing muscle mass. However, the compound is effective at both muscle-building and anti-aging goals; you need to decide which is important to you.
In the next section, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about dosing MK 677 for muscle-mass, fat loss, PCT, and anti-aging.
Dosage for Building Mass
If you’re a bodybuilder looking to gain a chemical edge in your training, MK 677 is a great addition to your protocol. The ideal dose for initiating muscle growth is between 20mg to 25mg per day. When starting, it’s better to build into the dose.
Therefore, start at 10mg for two days, and increase the dose by 5mg per day until you start noticing side effects. Most people feel mild sides at the 20mg mark, with the impact on the body becoming more pronounced at the 25mg level.
Higher doses will always increase the presence and intensity of side effects. You’ll need to play around with the dosage to see what works for you. More is not always better. It might take about three to four weeks to find the sweet spot that helps you meet your muscle-building goals.
MK 677 for muscle building typically runs alongside a steroid cycle. Ibutamoren has a synergistic effect when used along with testosterone in a cycle, enhancing your progress.
Dosage for Anti-Aging, Recovery, and PCT
Anecdotal evidence shows that Ibutamoren influences your body chemistry, even at low doses. For anti-aging therapy, a 5mg to 10mg daily dose is all you need to reap the compound’s benefits. This dose is sustainable for the long-term
A split-dose is the preferred choice for anti-aging, and the compound has a pronounced effect on your well-being, with results showing up quickly after starting therapy.
MK 677 is also useful for PCT after running a steroid or prohormone cycle. Ibutamoren helps the HPTA recover faster, getting your natural testosterone back online, without the crash.
In fact, I recommend that anyone coming off of SARMS or AAS (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) use MK 677 with their Post Cycle Therapy
MK 677 During PCT To Keep Your Gains
Why am I so big on using a growth hormone secretagogue during PCT? Well, it all comes down to a hormone called IGF-1. This is a vital component to building (and keeping) muscle mass.
Most PCTs utilize either Nolvadex or Clomid. Both drugs work great to stimulate the HPTA system and get your testosterone levels back to normal, but they are not perfect. For example, both Nolva and Clomid both lower IGF-1 levels.
So while you are raising your natural testosterone, you’re actually tanking your IGF-1 levels when you use a SERM during PCT.
This is where MK 677 comes in. Studies show that it raises IGF-1 by 40% in humans. By taking it during the end of your cycle and throughout PCT, you will recover much easier and lose a lot less muscle mass than you would without it.
Can you stay on MK 677 year round?
Year Round Usage
I personally take MK 677 year round at 10-15mg per day depending on what source I am using at the time. I never get any sort of bloating. I see the biggest benefits in my skin quality, tendons/joints, and hair.
Studies show that Ibutamoren is safe to take for extended periods of time. The longest human study followed subjects over a year of daily dosing and found no adverse side effects.
Personally, I find that it improves my mentality, appetite, and sleep, which are all big factors in how I am performing inside and outside of the gym.
Remember to Speak to Your Doctor
The effects of MK 677 sound amazing, right? We bet you can’t wait to try this compound and reap the benefits. However, it’s important to note that MK 677 is a powerful supplement to add to your lifestyle. Before you grab some Ibutamoren and start your protocol, arrange a checkup with your doctor.
MK 677 is a potent compound; you’ll feel the effects on your body, and notice the changes in the mirror. While the physical effects are apparent to any user, you have no idea what’s going on in the background.
During your visit to the doctor (we recommend you use an anti-aging clinic), they’ll draw a blood sample and send it for analysis. This bloodwork includes a complete hormone profile, giving you a baseline starting point for your protocol.
Make sure you get bloodwork at least twice a year to monitor your health. However, it’s a good idea to arrange another test 6-weeks after starting your protocol. This bloodwork checkup will show you the hard science and data behind the compound and its effect on your physiology.
DISCLAIMER: We do not endorse or recommend the use of MK 677. This compound can cause side effects, and you should always consult with a medical professional before considering running a MK 677 protocol.
References
Codner, E et al. “Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.” Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics vol. 70,1 (2001): 91-8. doi:10.1067/mcp.2001.116514
Nass, Ralf et al. “Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 149,9 (2008): 601-11. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-149-9-200811040-00003
Svensson, J et al. “Two-month treatment of obese subjects with the oral growth hormone (GH) secretagogue MK-677 increases GH secretion, fat-free mass, and energy expenditure.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 83,2 (1998): 362-9. doi:10.1210/jcem.83.2.4539