Beginners Guide to MK 677 (Ibutamoren): Dosage, Side Effects, Reviews

What is MK 677 / Ibutamoren? A quick introduction

What is MK 677

MK 677, also known as Nutrobal or Ibutamoren, is a powerful growth hormone secretagogue that increases levels of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) in the body.

It was originally created to treat muscle wasting disorders such as osteoporosis. When clinical trials began, researchers noticed that it drastically increases the amount of IGF-1 and HGH in humans.

As you may know, increased HGH and IGF-1 levels provide a whole host of benefits in athletic performance. In this article we will go through everything you need to know about MK 677, including benefits, side effects, dosages, before and after pictures, where to buy, and also an FAQ.

You will notice that there are a lot of clickable links in this article. We cite our sources and make sure we only promote factual material that is backed by science. Occasionally we will add and remove citations depending on the current perspective of the sports medicine and athletic community.

With all that being said, let’s jump right into it!

Why do athletes and bodybuilders use MK 677?

Benefits

Here are some of the most notable benefits of using MK 677 in your performance enhancing stack:

Decreased Muscle Catabolism

Nutrobal has been shown to decrease the amount of muscle lost during a cut. In this study, participants were given 25mg of MK-677 per day. By the end of one week, those taking the ibutamoren increased their levels of IGF-1 and HGH by a whopping 60%. The researchers also found that those taking the drug had a better level of nitrogen balance than those who didn’t take it. The conclusion of the study proves it to be useful for treating humans who are in a catabolic state.

Fat Loss

Elevated levels of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) and growth hormone lead to higher levels of fat loss (source). The same study we referenced above shows that at the end of 14 days, those taking MK677 lost a significantly more amount of fat than the control group. Athletes who take this compound will experience a faster rate of fat loss than normal.

Build Muscle

It’s no secret that bodybuilders use HGH to gain insane amounts of muscle mass before they do a show. MK 677 is no different in this regard. By taking it, your body’s levels of HGH will be sky high, and you will pack on muscle faster than you could imagine.

Grow Taller

For those looking for an alternative to HGH replacement therapy, Ibutamoren shows promising results. Taking it before growth plates close will allow for increased height growth in males. This is an expected result, since MK 677 allows the body to product much more HGH than it normally would.

Safe to Take Year Round

One of my favorite parts of using MK 677 is that it does not need to be cycled off and on. It does not suppress your body’s natural testosterone production and therefore it is not uncommon for people to never cycle off of this compound. There are a lot of accounts of people on the internet who run it for 6 months to a year at a time and have had no adverse side effects.

Personally, I stick to 8 to 12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. This rhythm works well with my body and training style and as of August 2020 I haven’t experienced any negative effects of utilizing this cycling frequency.

Reduced Recovery Time

By drastically elevating the amount of IGF-1 and HGH in your body, you will not need to take nearly as many rest days as you would naturally. In fact, many people who start using ibutamoren start training twice a day to take advantage of this benefit.

Better Sleep Patterns

One of the most important thing for anyone who is trying to gain muscle or lose fat is proper sleep. In fact, this study shows that not getting enough sleep can actually curb your weight loss and prevent you from achieving results. MK 677 helps your body reach a deeper sleep. While it does not make you fall asleep like a sleep aid will, it does make your sleep deeper and more resting.

Hair, Skin, and Nails

Last but not least, many people who take MK-677 report that their skin appears to glow, and their hair and nails seem healthier. This is because MK 677 increases collagen in the body which will help you look more youthful than normal. Many famous people have admitted to doing HGH to remain youthful – this compound allows you to get the same results.

Are there side effects of using MK 677?

Side Effects

Unlike steroids and other illegal anabolics, there are not very many side effects associated with MK 677 use. There are, however, some changes that can happen to your body due to elevated GH levels. These changes can be easily reversed by stopping usage. Here are some of the side effects of MK677:

Water Retention

When your body has high levels of HGH flowing through it, water retention can be a common reaction. The good news is that a lot of this water is held inside the muscles, similar to what creatine does. This is one of the ways that HGH can increase strength in athletes. With that being said, some water can be stored under the skin and therefore give a bloated appearance. We typically do not see water retention or bloating at doses of 25mg a day, so try to keep your dosage around that level.

You can also reduce bloating by taking a diuretic such as dandelion root extract.

Hunger

While this is great for those who are on their winter bulk cycle, those who are trying to take advantage of MK 677’s anti catabolic effect might find this side effect annoying. There’s no way to deny it: ibutamoren will make you hungry. Luckily, this effect is temporary and typically curbs by itself in around 2 weeks. Because of this, we suggest starting your cycle 2 weeks before you start dieting in order to get the hunger out of the way first.

Numbness in Hands or Feet

If you start to feel “pins and needles” in your hands and feet, do not panic. This is not a dangerous side effect, and a quick google search will show you this is a common side effect of growth hormone. While nobody knows why this happens, doctors agree that it’s not dangerous and has nothing to do with damaged nerves.

Anxiety

Whether or not MK 677 causes anxiety is currently up for debate, however the majority of experts (including myself) agree that pharmacologically it should NOT cause anxiety.

There are not any studies (as of August 2020) that list anxiety as a side effect, and reports of it on the internet are few and far between. It is much more likely that anxiety experienced on cycle is entirely situational.

In my own personal experience, my anxiety goes down while taking MK 677. The improvement in sleep quality and appetite seem to directly impact my mental health in a positive way. I’ve heard many others share the same.

Read more about common side effects here.

What are the main differences between MK 677 and HGH?

MK 677 vs HGH

The main differences between MK 677 vs HGH are:

  • MK 677 is taken orally, whereas HGH needs to be injected
  • MK 677 is available for sale over the county, whereas HGH requires a prescription
  • MK 677 can be taken once per day, whereas HGH requires multiple doses a day

Injections vs Oral

HGH needs to be injected under the skin (but not into your vein), while nutrobal is taken orally. For many people, this is a deciding factor when deciding which route to go. Most everyone will prefer the ease of using an oral solution rather than injecting.

Dosing Frequency

MK 677 needs to be taken orally once per day. HGH requires injections, and you need to inject frequently. In fact, many bodybuilders inject HGH up to 5 times per day! You can read my article about whether dosing MK 677 morning vs night makes a difference.

Cost

Legitimate HGH is very expensive. With insurance, you can expect to pay $500 a month just in co pays, and without insurance you will be paying thousands of dollars per month for your prescription. MK 677 is a lot cheaper than HGH. The average cost of legitimate MK677 is between $50 to $100 a month.

What kind of results can one expect to see from using MK 677?

Results

Before you commit to jumping on the ibutamoren train, you should know what to expect. By being aware of the changes that will happen to your body, you’ll know right away that you’re taking the right compound and you’ll have better body awareness. You can expect the following results from using MK 677:

  • Muscle gain, especially in the arms and back
  • Improved sleep quality (REM and deep sleep)
  • Clearer skin from an increase in collagen production

Let’s go even deeper and tell you what to expect depending on what type of cycle you are running:

Bulking Cycle Results

Those who use MK 677 for bulking can easily expect to gain 10lbs over an eight week cycle. Some of this weight will be water. You can also expect to gain a decent amount of strength while on cycle as well. Most people have zero side effects, but you might notice some increased hunger and water retention.

We encourage you to follow a high protein diet, and do not be afraid of carbs (especially post workout). This will allow your Nutrobal to shine and give you the results that you want.

Cutting Cycle Results

Those who are using ibutamoren for a cut will see a very high level of muscle retention while losing fat. Fat will be lost at an accelerated rate, and a lot of people actually gain a few pounds of muscle along the way. Do not expect to gain a lot of muscle on a cut, but you can be sure that your strength will not decrease as well.

Cutting cycles should be accompanied with a very high protein diet. We suggest cutting simple carbohydrates such as white bread and sugar from your diet to help lean you out.

Before and After Pictures

We searched the internet and found some legitimate before and after pictures from people who used MK 677. As you can see from both photos below, this compound can drastically change how your body looks. Both guys lost a good amount of body fat but more importantly gained a ton of muscle.

mk 677 before and after
mk 677 before and after cycle results

If you have any before and after pictures, you can submit them via email to info@sarms.io.

Where can I buy legit MK 677 online?

Where to Buy

Finding pure MK 677 for sale can be difficult if you don’t know where you should be looking.

One thing we’ve found is that it is faked a lot more than some of the other SARMs and research chemicals. We believe that is because it is more expensive to manufacture than other compounds.

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How much MK 677 should you take during your cycle?

Dosage

Depending on where you look, people will recommend a dose of anywhere from 10mg to 100mg a day. Luckily, we have this study which actually compares HGH levels between doses.

What you see with the data is that there is a huge diminishing return with the higher doses. Once you go past 25mg per day, the amount of HGH and IGF-1 that enter the bloodstream gets lower and lower.

For that reason, the best dosage of MK 677 is 25mg per day. At this dose, you will get all the benefits without putting yourself at risk for water retention and bloating side effects.

Half Life

The half life of MK 677 is around 24 hours. You can dose once per day if you like, or you can split doses between morning and night. I prefer dosing twice a day (about 12 hours apart if possible) in order to spread out the concentrations evenly over each day. The less your levels are peaking, the better.

Capsules, Liquids, or Powders

There are a lot of different forms you can purchase ibutamoren in, but which one is best? I’m a big fan of liquids for a few reasons.

First of all, you get the most flexibility with how you dose. You can easily split doses between AM and PM with no issues, or even split it into three and take one dose pre workout. You can not do that with capsules, pills, or powders.

Another reason why we like liquids are because they tend to be more accurate. Getting 10mg of powder exactly into a capsule or pill is extremely difficult if you don’t have the right machines (which most labs don’t invest in). Liquids are much more reliable in terms of accuracy.

How to use MK 677 during PCT to keep your gains from other cycles

Post Cycle Therapy

One of the best ways to use this compound is to include it with your Post Cycle Therapy protocol. Since it is not suppressive in any way, you can use it to help retain strength after a cycle of SARMs.

Another option is to combine it with low dose ostarine. I only recommend this if you’re coming off a heavy duty steroid cycle and are at risk of losing a lot of muscle. By using this combo, you’ll be able to keep a lot more of your gains than you would be able to naturally.

Typical PCT stacks usually contain either Clomid or Nolvadex. These SERMs are great at stimulating natural testosterone levels, but will also lower your IGF-1 production. Adding in a growth hormone secretagogue such as this one will counter act some of those negative effects.

Increasing your IGF-1 and HGH levels after a cycle is key to keeping gains, so ibutamoren will help you keep your results and prevent gaining of fat off cycle.

FAQ and final thoughts

FAQ

How do I take MK 677?

Assuming you bought a liquid solution, simply measure out the correct amount and then squirt into your mouth. Swallow and rinse with water or any other beverage.

How long does it take to kick in?

Serum HGH and IGF-1 levels increase rapidly once you begin your cycle. Peak levels are achieved after around 30 days depending on your body composition. Most people notice a better nights sleep immediately along with increased strength and recovery becoming apparent after the first week.

Is MK 677 safe for women?

Yes it is. Because MK 677 lacks any sort of androgenic effect, women can take it without issues. There is no vitalization potential in any way.

Can MK 677 cause gyno?

Absolutely not. Like we mentioned above, this compound is not androgenic in any way. It will not affect levels of testosterone, estrogen, or DHT, therefore gynecomastia is not a concern with this compound.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MK 677 proves to be a useful tool for anyone who wants to increase their HGH and IGF-1 levels. I have a feeling that this compound is going to have a big impact on people who can not afford to use prescription grade HGH, especially those with growth hormone deficiencies.

If you’re looking for a relatively safe and easy way to reap the benefits of HGH without injecting, this is your best bet. As always, feel free to leave a comment below with any questions you have. I’d also love to hear about your experiences!

Chris Jackson
Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson, co-founder of Sarms.io, is a renowned fitness blogger, physique model, and evolutionary bioscience researcher specializing in SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators). His extensive work, characterized by cutting-edge research and practical training advice, has made Sarms.io a leading source for accurate, credible information on performance enhancers. With a dedication to improving the understanding and application of SARMs in optimizing human performance, his contributions have not only expanded public awareness but also shaped the conversation around these substances. Chris's pursuit of knowledge and commitment to sharing it continue to inspire many in their fitness journeys.

73 Comments
  1. Good morning, first Ibutamoren i NOT a stimulant and muscle wasting is NOT osteoporosis, SRAMS and any other GH for that matter are old openly in stores really. based on my obvious lack of knowledge, providing medical advices is only stupid but dangerous and finally, since being located in BR is in the product? for these reasons let me tell you that will never ever buy anything from in person store, THATS FOR SURE. have a good day!

  2. Awesome article, really com,prehensive. This is the first and probably only PED I’ll ever take, but it truly seems to be the perfect drug for ,me as I’m working through some PT from repetitive motion injuries. I’m 20 with a bone age 2 years delayed so I even hope there might be some height growth or otherwise thickening and lengthening of of my wrists. Either way that’s just wishful thinking, I’ve been unable to train with any real weight for a year, so I desperately want to stop focusing on injuries and start focusing on progress. I’m, very happy with being natural but I’ve been stunted by this injury for so long and I’m hoping that after over a year of hard work will culminate in a pain-free and mobile athleticism, with the help of Ibutamoren. This helped m,e with dosing and just general knowledge so thanks again!

  3. Hi Chris,

    If I was to run a 8-10 week cycle in my 3rd year of training; would it remain possible to make the usual slow progress/gains naturally once off said cycle? Or would this remove the potential for any further natural/unenhanced progress? Thanks

    • Progress doesn’t seem to be affected by coming off of MK 677 in my experience. Stoked to hear about your experience!

  4. Im on accutane rn, if I take mk 677 will that be a problem? Im sure my dermatologist doenst even know what mk is

    • No issues with taking ibutamoren with accutane as far as I know. I take accutane when I’m on gear to mitigate acne.

  5. Will elevated HGH levels cause you to fail a urine test?

  6. hi chris,
    just wondering where are the best places to get legitimate mk 677, I’m in australia does any of the places you know ship here or any places to get it over here??

  7. Hi Chris i just started taking mk 677 third day. no side effects been working out for a hour every morning trying to gain weight and muscle I am taking one pill a day i purchases it at One stop here in Arizona ;Any tips i have only tried protien powder with no results.
    Thanks

  8. Is it safe to take 20mg everyday for 90 days for good results?

    • Yes, but you might get diminishing results. If you start to notice any bloating try 10-15mg and see if that suits you better. It doesn’t take much to signal the HGH and IGF-1 response

  9. Chris,

    What’s your thoughts on Cardarine (GW501516) and MK-677 (Ibutamoren Mesylate) staked together by themselves for a cutting cycle? And dosages?

    (Products from Science.bio)

  10. Chris

    What’s your thoughts on Cardarine (GW501516) and MK-677 (Ibutamoren Mesylate) stacked together by themselves?

    And dosages?

  11. Hello Chris. Just want to ask if its good idea to triple stack MK677, ostarine and cardarine? Or better finish ostarine and cardarine cycle then only take MK677 during off cycle or just ditch the MK677 at all? I’ve never did SARMS or any AAS before this.

    • Hey mate, just responded to your email but I’ll post my response here as well:

      Yes, those are fine to stack. Actually a great stack but just keep the Mk677 dosage low, probably around 10mg a day the duration of the cycle.

      Low dose MK677 is actually good for fat loss as well as muscle building and won’t lead to bloat.

      My reco would be:

      Ostarine ~20mg/day
      Cardarine ~20mg/day
      MK677 ~10mg/day

      Total cycle length 8 weeks, but you could extend the cardarine and mk677 longer since they don’t affect your HPTA

  12. What do you think about Sportsmeds uk (website)? And do you you think it would have the same effects if I wore 17/18 years old?

  13. how does mk 677 work if you cycle it by itself? Do you see descent resutls?

    • I use it standalone when I’m not cycling anything else and its great for building mass and retaining muscle on a cut. Helps with sleep and recovery too. If you’re not wanting to touch anything hormonal then MK677 is what you want

  14. Hi Chris, I’m using fusion supplements ibutemoren mk677, is this legit stuff? I got it from predator nutrition in the UK. I’ve taken a couple of tablets so far, I’ve decided to go with a half dose as it’s the first time I’ve used anything. Had no real hunger issues yet, is it too early to tell if it working or have I bought fake stuff?
    Thanks

    • I can’t say for certain because I’ve never takin their MK677, but I will say that I’ve shopped with predator many times and always received legit products. I still have a few bottles of their house brand (fusion) Superdrol. If you can crack open a capsule I might be able to help you identify it with some basic techniques but it obviously doesn’t replace shipping it out to have it tested.

      • Sure that would be great, what should I be looking for?
        Thanks mate

        • Pop open like 3 capsules and empty them out on white piece of paper. MK677 can change color depending on how long it’s been sitting and it’s moisture content but most of what I’ve seen is a lighter brown color and it has a sharp vinegar smell to it. MK677 is probably the only SARM that I can call out of a lineup blindfolded because of the smell.

          Then try to get the powder into a small spoon, like a teaspoon or tablespoon. Get some good light above you and drop a few drops of Ethyl alcohol in there. If you have a clear rum that will work as well. MK677 is very soluble. Tt should immediately dissolve, even in just water. Take that liquid and put it into a shot glass and hold it up to the light and you should see a very light brown color again. You could get a better sample size by using more capsules if your results are inconclusive.

          Again, not a scientific method by ANY means, but it’s better than nothing. Predator stats they use medicinal starch as a filler so you might end up with big clumps. In that case I would dissolve contents in water and see if you get the starch floating at the top and the rest of the solution turn a light brown.

        • You’re a star fella IL try that out thank you 🙂

  15. Hi chris …wow thanks for sll this info you provided it helps a lot..im about to use mk-677 i just order it from (Nutrition First) metablack mk-677…is this a good site?..also can you use l arginine and pre workout drinks like super pump while on mk-677?….and last question did u ever felt it shut u down or your libido stayed the same?….thanks in advance bro for your time and valuable info 🙏

    Nutrition first..

    • Haven’t heard of Nutrition First but I will check them out.

      Yes you can take those! Arginine is great and pre workouts are fine too.

      I Never feel shut down on Mk677, ever. Libido is the same if not a little better.

      Thanks for the comments and good luck!

  16. Hi Chris!! What an amazing content you are putting in man! After I read this article and the many other sarms articles from your webpage, Everything got cristal clear regarding sarms effects and doses. I just have one question, I am a 41 year old advanced lifter, I have been training for more than 20 years natural until 6 months ago when I started TRT at 200 mg of Test -E a week. I would like to lean out while preserving muscle mass, would you recomend ostarine and cardarine together or ostarine and mk-677, what dosages of each and for how long? Thank you in advance

    • Thank you for the kind words! Congrats on the TRT, that’s a huge step and I’m sure you’re already seeing the benefits start by now. I personally take 12.5mg of MK 677 a day year round now. Haven’t seen any diminishing returns so it’s a no brainer, and cheap too. If your bloodwork works good, I’d say do the MK 677 with the ostarine. For dosages, 10-15mg of MK 677 (lower doses provide the same effects with less bloating and water retention). For ostarine, keep it around 20mg a day, a little more or a little less is fine. Since you’re on TRT already, you could easily do 12 weeks on with no big problems, just make sure to give yourself some appropriate time off after to allow your body time to recover.

  17. Is MK-677 safe to take with Accutane? I know accutane is such a dangerous drug, just want to be sure.

    • Yes they are fine to take together. I take low dose accutane when I am cycling DHT based steroids to negate acne and skin issues and never had any problems (I also take MK677 year round). Accutane can lower IGF-1, so the MK-677 could actually help offset that by increasing IGF-1 itself. It’s just a hunch though.

  18. So if you take mk and say put on 20 pounds of muscle over months and you quit taking it forever will you keep the gains as long as you workout

    • The gains from MK 677 are very easy to maintain. As long as you continue to work out and eat the appropriate amount of calories you will keep your gains.

  19. You don’t feel the effects after days, if MK-677 is the real deal and is not a fake you will feel the kicks in the same day after you take it, in few hours, first the hunger.
    Be careful with the dosages, go low and slow, this is not a race and you got only one body with 2 kidneys, so don’t play Russian Roulette with it.
    Yeah, I know, already playing if you use this but at least stay on the safe side.

  20. Ibutamoren is starting to be prescribed by doctors at HRT clinics.
    Here in Santa Monica my endo is using the one from Schlobësser Pharma.

    It’s pharmaceutical quality, but to be honest, works just the same as the other underground brands I had used before, no more no less.

    • That’s amazing! Glad to see it’s gaining more attention for it’s benefits in raising HGH and IGF-1 levels.

      • Hi I know this is an old article but at 54 I have been back into body building for two years and tryed mk677 for the first time today Jan 12 2023..never done anything like this before not steroids not sarms not anything. The effects are nothing I dreamed of…I’m not exaggerating my experience is as follows: it was like a complete mental euphoric experience. I had been suffering depression anxiety and it has been replaced …no deleted. Focused centered ..happy. I cannot wait for my next work out or to see the results weeks from now on my body..have had some redness flushed on my face and I have felt hungry all day but I only use .015 ml or 15 mg it was like 2 or 3 drops oh and yes you better use a oral syringe cause it is the worst of the worst medicine in taste…yuck but after one day that’s it ..wait to see if I get water gain but no headaches

  21. Do you keep your muscle gains and not fat on mk 47

  22. Hi will mk 677 give you gynaecomastia

    • What would the appropriate ML dose be vs mg?

    • How long does mk 677 stay in your system, for example like urine, asking for a drug test

      • If I had to guess, probably only a few days. There haven’t been any studies done strictly on detection time for MK 677 yet as far as I know.

        Would be more likely to get flagged for unnatural IGF-1 levels

    • No, it is impossible to get gyno from MK677.

      • Will antidepressants like sertraline and Nortriptyline have any affect with ostarine and mk677?

        • Chris Jackson July 15, 2020 at 6:31 pm

          There is no known interaction, and I can’t imagine that there would be any issues with the increased HGH and IGF-1 outputs.

        • Time may prove me, and this article , wrong, but I was on this nine months last year with no ill effects Three on, one off, I actually grew MORE hair, as opposed to Test which of course has balding effects.Jor

          Sleep, yes
          Skin, yes
          Hair, yes,
          Size gains, yes
          Fat burn, yes

          Im stocking up, and plan on taking this compound forever. I’m 52 and consider it the fountain of youth definitely.

        • Chris Jackson July 23, 2020 at 8:46 pm

          I also take it year round – no problems at all and I get bloodwork done every three months.

  23. Hi do you keep your gains on mk 677

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