MK-677 Benefits and Research Applications

Researchers are actively exploring MK-677 benefits, and there is strong research interest in the application of MK-677 to improve both body composition and athletic performance.

But are there any MK-677 benefits backed up by scientific evidence? And what is the scientific basis and research behind the effects of MK-677?

The study of growth hormone secretagogues and their effect on the body is still in its infancy and what we know is rapidly developing. It can be difficult to keep up with all the promising new compounds and the research that supports their use.

To assist researchers, this guide will outline the main MK-677 benefits that have been observed during past studies and explore how this research chemical has been dosed and administered. 

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What is MK-677?

MK-677 is a long-lasting non-peptide agonist of the Ghrelin receptor [1]. It has a chemical structure that allows it to mimic the activity of Ghrelin and thus stimulate the body to produce more growth hormone [2]. Ghrelin causes the body to release more GH [7, 8], ultimately leading to elevated levels of GH in the blood, and more GH available to cells [9].

Growth hormone (GH) plays an essential role in the body’s ability to regulate itself. GH is involved in a number of different processes, but it’s especially important for tissue repair functions: keeping skin healthy, recovering and repairing after injuries, and building muscle [3].

GH is secreted regularly from specialized cells in the pituitary gland called somatotrophs. It is secreted in multiple daily pulses and is governed by the circadian rhythm. It works by upregulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which in turn helps stimulate the growth and repair of tissue.

But some people produce too little GH, due to either a condition at birth (GH deficiency) or as a result of advancing age. Old age is associated with a general decline in the body’s production and secretion of GH.

This, in turn, affects the body’s ability to repair tissue and build muscle. People who are deficient in GH tend to have lower muscle mass and strength [4], more fatty tissue [5], and body lipid concentrations that may contribute to vascular diseases [6].

One solution for low GH seems to be the class of chemicals called growth hormone secretagogues, and MK-677 is one of those. By mimicking Ghrelin and binding to the same receptors as Ghrelin, MK-677 has the same effect as Ghrelin does — it upregulates GH.

MK-677 is also known as Ibutamoren and L-163,191. Let’s take a deep dive into MK-677’s purported benefits. 

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MK-677 Benefits and Research Applications

MK-677 is a research chemical and there is currently no scientific evidence that it offers any benefits in healthy test subjects. However, there have been several studies that have observed its effects in elderly test subjects and cancer patients, and this is what they found; MK-677 has the ability to raise levels of growth hormone. Several studies have shown it is effective at increasing blood concentrations of GH. Here’s a summary of the main findings: 

• In one small study of GH deficient adult men, researchers found that both 10 mg and 50 mg of MK-677 daily led to significantly increased GH in the blood, as well as significantly more IGF-1. The study found that MK-677 was well-tolerated and did not lead to any serious adverse effects [10].
• In another randomized double-blind study on elderly men and women, both 10 mg and 25 mg of daily oral administration of MK-677 resulted in significant increases in plasma GH levels. 25 mg even elevated the GH levels to levels common for young adults. MK-677 was well-tolerated with no serious side effects [11].
• In a randomized control study of elderly adults, an intake of 0.05 mg of MK-677 per kilogram of body weight led to a 2-fold increase in blood GH levels. A higher dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight resulted in a 4-fold increase. No clinically significant side effects were observed [12].
• In another study on obese individuals, an oral MK-677 dosage of 25 mg each day for 8 weeks led to a significant increase in blood GH [13].

Each of the above studies demonstrates that MK-677 has a pronounced effect on GH levels in human test subjects. 

This begs the question: What are the benefits of increased GH?

The potential benefits of increased GH levels are numerous and well-established.

Strong Bones

Bones typically lose their density with age, and this can lead to conditions like osteoporosis. Some research suggests that increased GH levels in the blood can help improve bone density and support optimal bone health [14].

MK-677 has been directly linked to increased bone density. In one study, it was tested for its effect on markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, who are especially prone to bone density losses. In that population, a daily dose of 25 mg of MK-677 was found to mitigate the reduction of bone density [15].

If further research confirms these early results, MK-677 could be an effective treatment for osteoporosis and other bone disorders associated with aging.

Muscle Growth

GH plays an essential role in the construction and maintenance of lean muscle tissue. Higher blood GH levels make it easier for the body to synthesize muscle after a workout. Several high-quality research studies have demonstrated that elevated GH levels in the blood result in increased muscle mass [16, 17].

That research is corroborated by studies of MK-677 that have found that an 8-week cycle of 25 mg MK-677 doses leads to an increase in lean body mass and muscle for some groups, including obese males [13]. It also has been found to be effective in reversing diet-induced protein catabolism, which occurs when the body breaks down muscle tissue to meet its protein needs [15].

These studies suggest MK-677 could be effective in building and maintaining muscle.

Diminished Fat Tissue

GH also plays a role in metabolism and lipolysis — the burning of fatty tissue. Research has found that when GH is elevated from secretagogue substances, in combination with an exercise program, body fat is burned more efficiently [16, 18].

Research on MK-677 in one group of obese individuals hasn’t demonstrated that it results in diminished fat tissue directly, but it has found that daily administration of MK-677 over an 8-week cycle led to a significant increase in energy expenditure and an increase in the basal metabolic rate [13]. The researchers concluded, “further studies are needed to evaluate whether a higher dose of MK-677 or a more prolonged treatment period can promote a reduction in body fat.”

Improved Sleep

We know that sleep and GH are part of the same complex process, although how they influence each other is unclear. For example, we know that GH levels are at their highest during sleep. And the relationship seems to go the other way, too: more GH seems to result in better sleep quality [19].

MK-677 in particular has been found to have a significant effect on sleep. In one study it was found that doses of 25 mg increase stage IV sleep by about 50% and increase REM sleep by 20% compared to a placebo [20].

Injury Recovery

Repair goes along with resting.

GH appears to play a central part in the process through which the body repairs tissue. So it makes sense that higher GH levels have been found to be associated with the faster recovery of tissue from injuries [21].

Anti-Aging Effects and Skin Repair

Research has shown that elevated GH levels appear to be beneficial for the skin [22].

GH is well-recognized for being able to improve skin quality in part by repairing and replacing the collagen that is responsible for making skin look smooth and elastic [23, 24].

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MK-677 Side Effects

Research on MK-677 ibutamoren is still ongoing, so we’re continuing to learn about the substance.

So far, it appears that MK-677 is generally well-tolerated in test subjects; it has not been found to lead to serious adverse effects [10, 11]. However, the absence of evidence doesn’t mean that MK-677 is safe, rather there have been very few long-term studies involving this research chemical. 

The available research and clinical trials have identified the following side effects that could be related to MK-677 [10, 11, 15]:

• Increase in appetite
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Dry skin
• Night sweats
• Numbness and tingling
• Abdominal pain
• Transient flushing of the face

Side effects seem to be dose-dependent, meaning that higher doses are associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing side effects. The implication is that test subjects starting with lower doses may be less likely to experience side effects.

What about long-term side effects?

Well, long-term tests of the side effects of MK-677 are still scarce. In one study on elderly women, MK-677 was used safely and without serious adverse effects for 18-24 months [15]. Still, the long-term effects of the use of this substance are not yet clear.

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MK-677 Dosage Guide

Studies differ in how they’ve administered the MK-677 dosage to study participants. The following doses have been used in the various studies conducted on MK-677 [10, 11, 13]:

• 10 mg, administered orally, once per day, for 2 weeks
• 50 mg, administered orally, once per day, for 2 weeks
• 10 mg administered orally, once per day, for 2 to 4 weeks
• 25 mg, administered orally, once per day, for 2 to 4 weeks
• 25 mg, administered orally, once per day, for 8 weeks
• 0.05 mg/kg of body weight, administered intravenously with saline, in a single instance
• 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, administered intravenously with saline, in a single instance

Based on that information and the commonalities between these MK-677 dosing regimes, it appears that a typical dosing schedule for research subjects could be as follows:

• Between 10 and 50 mg. 25 mg seems to be the dose used most frequently for healthy adults.
• Administered orally with water once per day, ideally on an empty stomach
• For a cycle of 2 to 8 weeks, with several weeks off.

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MK-677 Research Cycle

Again, the information we have on the ideal MK-677 cycle for test subjects isn’t clear because of the lack of high-quality research on the subject.

Based on most of the research we’ve seen, short-term studies typically use cycles that last for between 2 to 8 weeks, followed by several weeks off [10, 11, 13]. There is at least one study, however, that provided participants daily administration over 24 months and it was well-tolerated [25].

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Where to Buy MK-677 Online? | 2024 Edition

Researchers who are looking to buy MK-677 for use in their work can find the compound for sale online.

Yet a concerning amount of online MK-677 vendors do not actually sell a legitimate, pure product. Accordingly, we encourage researchers to do due diligence on a vendor before placing an order, to ensure that they’re getting research-grade MK-677.

To help researchers along, here are our two favorite online vendors of MK-677, who we trust for their reliability and commitment to product quality.

Chemyo

In our experience, Chemyo is among the most trustworthy sources of research-grade compounds like MK-677. Here are their standout features:

• High-Quality MK-677: Chemyo gets each batch of MK-677 independently tested and posts the corresponding laboratory reports on their website for all customers to view. This helps researchers ensure they’re getting a pure product.
• Product Selection: This vendor currently offers MK-677 in both solution and powder form, and has one of the more extensive product selections in the industry.
• Great Service: Chemyo runs its business with the researchers’s experience in mind. This commitment is evident from their care team, who are very helpful and prompt in resolving issues.

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Limitless Life

Limitless Life is another trustworthy research chemicals vendor that stocks premium-grade MK-677.

Here’s why they are well-regarded by our team and the community at large:

• Potent Peptides: Limitless Life ensures the potency and purity of their MK-677 by subjecting each batch to third-party HPLC-MS analysis.
• Dependable Shipping: The vendor is very quick to dispatch orders, and waives shipping fees on orders over $350.

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Benefits of MK-677 | Verdict

MK-677 ibutamoren is a powerful addition to the group of GH secretagogues. The evidence consistently suggests that this substance does increase plasma GH levels. It also seems to have a wide range of other potential research benefits including:

• Increased muscle
• Decreased fat
• Improved bone density
• Better sleep

Researchers looking to study the effects of GH on the human body may find that MK-677 could be a worthwhile addition to their research program. 

Looking to source MK-677? Just click here!

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