Mk-677 is a growth hormone secretagogue originally developed by Reverse Pharmacology. A secretagogue is a substance that causes another substance to be secreted. So in this case, mk-677 signals the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone. Mk-677 could be compared to secretagogue peptides like GHRP-6 or Ipamorelin, only it doesn’t require injections. Mk-677 was originally developed for the treatment of elderly patients to combat muscle wasting, obesity and osteoporosis. Although commonly referred and sold as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), Mk-677 is actually not a SARM and is non-hormonal. As a result, Mk-677 does not affect natural testosterone production or the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes-Axis (HPTA). This means that no post cycle therapy (PCT) is needed after Mk-677 usage and that Mk-677 can be safely included into PCTs and bridges between steroid cycles.
Mk-677 works via 4 main mechanisms:
- Increasing GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone).
- Amplifying GHRH signaling in somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland.
- Reducing somatostatin release (somatostatin turns off GH release).
- Inhibiting of somatostatin receptor signaling.
In a mk-677 trial that studied its effects on catabolic states, a daily dosage of 25mgs was given to healthy young men subjected to short-term diet-induced nitrogen wasting. After 7 days of this dose, the subjects showed a sustained increase in serum concentration of IGF-1 and Growth Hormone. In addition, the nitrogen wasting was reversed.
Trials testing the effects of mk-677 on fighting obesity showed an increase in lean body mass. This study gave subjects 25mgs of Mk-677 per day for 8 weeks. The subjects saw an increase in basal metabolic rate, an increase in lean muscle mass, and an increase in serum levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-1 binding protein-3.
A study done for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone mineral density showed increases in bone mineral density. Other possible benefits of Mk-677 are improved sleep, improved complexion, increase in energy levels, increase nitrogen retention, increase strength and an improved sense of well-being. In addition, some studies also suggest that an increased immune system response was caused by Mk-677< meaning it boosts the immune system to a degree.
Human clinical trials on Mk-677 have been done with dosages ranging from 10-50mg per day. The trials found that although HGH release was no higher at 50mg/day then 10mg/day, an increase in IGF-1 was seen as dosages increased. This suggests that for general health and fat burning, a daily dosage of 10mg/day is sufficient to improve HGH levels and see results. However, to maximize the muscle building effects of Mk-677, you should consider increasing your dosage up to a dosage of 50mg/day. As a general guideline, most users find a sweet spot at a dosage around 25mg per day.
Mk-677 has a half-life of 24 hours meaning that a once per day dosage is all that is required. The time of day you take Mk-677 is dependent on your goals. If your primary goal is fat loss, you should take Mk-677 first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to maximize fat oxidation. If your primary goal is muscle building, you should take Mk-677 before bed to maximize recovery and sleep. If your primary goal is recomposition (building muscle and loosing fat at the same time), you should take half of your daily dosage before breakfast and half before bed each day.
“MK-677 is the single most dangerous compound to the pharmaceutical companies profits because of its medical and performance enhancing benefits. I predict that every informed person on anti-aging will use this compound or one of it’s successors. My only issue with MK-677 is the side effect of increased hunger. Personally, I already have too much hunger and supressing my appetite is the goal – not increasing it. On the other hand, I’ve created many great bodybuilders using MK-677 because their limiting factor was eating enough food.
MK-677 does the same thing for men and women; increase lean muscle mass, improve recovery, promote fat loss, improve sleep, and increased appetite. After chronic prolonged use, common side effects can include day time lethargy, water retention, and tightness in the hands/wrists.I didn’t see any additional benefit going above 30mg/day, but I saw a significant difference in benefits increasing my dosage from 10 to 20mg. I recommend people start at 10mg and increase their daily dosage up to 30mg if we want the more extreme benefits.
I think MK-677 replaces growth hormone completely for 90% of people. It doesn’t have to be cycled but the side effects of water retention and fatigue can accumulate over time, so take breaks as needed. I’ve known people who have taken it 6 months straight with no side effects and only continued benefits. I also know people who have taken it on and off for 7 years with no side effects beyond what was already mentioned.
I take it if I need to shred fat very fast and am using appetite suppressants or if I am trying to extreme bulk. I notice that it seems to improve my digestion, and speed of digestion. I prefer to take it at night before going to sleep so I can sleep through most of the hunger increase.”
- Dr Tony Huge
“You won’t get much muscle building from MK-677, but it will help hold onto mass and rejuvenate cells. With exogenous growth hormone – it’s the growth factors that causes muscle building, mainly IGF and MGF.
High dosages of mk-677 can cause stomach distress like chrohn’s. Once you get those symptoms, stop using it. It’s that ghrelin increase that’s causing it.
The problem with HGH secretagogue peptides is that they cause growth hormone bleeding. The bleed effect causes more side effects. MK-677 is superior because it sends HGH pulses throughout the day.
I’ve experimented with dosages up to 50mg/day. I didn’t notice much benefit going past 30mg/day. 10mg/day is the lowest dosage I started to see benefits. I noticed a significant increase in benefits increasing my dosage from 10mg/day to 20mg/day. I didn’t see much increase in benefits going from 20mg/day to 30mg/day.
I find that if I take a low dosage before bed it helps improve sleep. 10mg before bed is my sweet spot.”
Coach Trevor
