Andarine (S4)

What is Andarine (S4)?

Andarine, also known by its developmental code names GTx-007 and S-4, is a type of drug called a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). SARMs were developed to have the beneficial effects of anabolic steroids, such as increasing muscle and bone mass, without the unwanted side effects associated with traditional steroids.

Andarine is an orally active partial agonist of the androgen receptor (AR). This means it binds to the androgen receptors in the body and activates them, but to a lesser degree than a full agonist like testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Andarine's key feature is its "selective" nature; it is a full agonist in muscle and bone tissue but only a partial agonist in other tissues like the prostate. This selective action is what was intended to provide anabolic benefits with reduced androgenic side effects.

Benefits and Pros

Andarine was developed to treat conditions like muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Its potential benefits and pros, based on pre-clinical studies and user reports, include:

• Muscle Growth and Strength: Andarine has been shown to have a strong anabolic effect on skeletal muscle, leading to increased muscle mass and strength. It may be more potent than traditional anabolic agents like testosterone in this regard.

• Increased Bone Mineral Density: Studies in rats have shown that Andarine can restore bone mineral density, making it a potential treatment for osteoporosis.

• Fat Loss: Some users report that Andarine helps with fat loss, contributing to a leaner, more defined physique.

• No Aromatization: Unlike testosterone and many anabolic steroids, Andarine does not aromatize into estrogen. This means it doesn't cause estrogen-related side effects like gynecomastia (male breast tissue growth) or water retention.

• No Prostate Enlargement: In contrast to anabolic steroids that can cause prostate enlargement, Andarine acts as a partial agonist in prostate tissue and may even competitively block the binding of DHT, which can reduce prostate-related side effects.

Side Effects and Cons

Despite its potential benefits, Andarine was discontinued from clinical trials due to adverse side effects. The full extent of its long-term health risks is not well-established. Potential side effects and cons include:

• Vision Impairment: This is the most significant and well-documented side effect of Andarine. At higher doses, users commonly report:

  • Blurred or yellow-tinted vision.

  • Night blindness.

  • Visual flashes or flickering. These effects are typically temporary and dose-dependent.

• Hormonal Suppression: Andarine can suppress the body's natural testosterone production, leading to low libido, lethargy, and testicular shrinkage. Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) is often recommended to help restore normal hormonal function.

• Liver and Heart Effects: SARMs, including Andarine, have been associated with adverse effects on the liver and heart.

• Acne: Like other androgens, Andarine can cause or worsen acne.

• Legality and Safety: Andarine is an investigational new drug and is not approved for human use. It is a prohibited substance for athletes and is often sold on the black market as a "research chemical," which means it is unregulated and may contain unverified or contaminated ingredients.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no officially recommended dosage for Andarine for human use as it is not an approved medication. Any information on dosage comes from anecdotal user reports and pre-clinical studies. Common dosages reported by users typically range from 25-75 mg per day, often split into multiple doses (e.g., 2-3 times a day) due to its relatively short half-life.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-life: The half-life of Andarine is relatively short. Studies in animals have shown peak plasma levels occur within an hour and it is eliminated relatively fast. An estimated half-life is around 4-6 hours, which is why users often split their daily dose.

• Detection time: Andarine and its metabolites can be detected in urine for about two weeks after a single oral dose of 60 mg. Detection methods are constantly improving, and its metabolites can be identified to confirm usage.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic: Andarine is a non-steroidal SARM. This means its chemical structure is not based on the steroid nucleus.

• Progestronic: Andarine does not have progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: There is no evidence to suggest that Andarine directly affects prolactin levels. However, hormonal imbalances caused by testosterone suppression can indirectly affect other hormones, including prolactin.

Anabolic and Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a way to measure a substance's ability to build muscle (anabolic) versus its tendency to cause male-like side effects (androgenic). For traditional steroids, this is often compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100.

Andarine is known for its strong anabolic effects with minimal androgenic effects in non-target tissues. In a study on castrated rats, Andarine was shown to restore muscle weight to 101% of the control group while only restoring prostate weight to 32.5%. This demonstrates a highly favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio. While an exact numerical value for this ratio is not widely available, it is understood to be significantly higher than that of testosterone, indicating its "selective" nature.