Ibutamoren Nutrobal (MK 677) – Cycle, Dosage, And Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed Fouda
Dr. Fouda uses his extensive knowledge and expertise as an academic scholar to medically review articles for scientific accuracy and credibility, ensuring that the medical information presented is up-to-date and trustworthy. He is responsible for ensuring the quality of the medical information presented on our website.
Ibutamoren Nutrobal (MK 677)

One of the most popular bulking SARMs isn’t actually a SARM at all. It carries the scientific name of Ibutamoren Nutrabol, but it is more commonly referred to by its label, MK-677.

In this article, I’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an educated decision about putting MK-677 into your body.

What is MK-677?

MK-677, or Ibutamoren Nutrobal, is not a steroid, nor is it technically a SARM. It is what is known as a selective agonist.

An agonist is a chemical that is able to bind onto receptors in the body. It then reprograms the receptor, encouraging it to produce a natural physiological response.

A selective agonist is a chemical that only binds to certain receptors. In this instance, the receptors it binds to in the body are largely responsible for muscle growth and repair and weight management.

It is a non-peptide agonist which works on the ghrelin receptors and those responsible for growth hormone production and secretion.

On some black markets, it is sold as a SARM, but in reality, it isn’t. It may behave like a SARM and it may be very similar to a SARM, but it most certainly isn’t a SARM.

Mk-677 is currently still being studied with regards to its medicinal properties, as it is designed to serve as a medication for people suffering from GH deficiencies.

This compound was created by a company known as Reverse Pharmacology. Initially, it was first designed to help treat people suffering from osteoporosis, along with muscle-wasting diseases and those suffering from obesity.

Potentially, this compound can increase IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor), boost lean muscle tissue, boost the metabolism, increase energy, burn fat, and strengthen the bones.

How MK-677 Boosts Growth Hormone and Muscle Gains?

The primary mechanism behind MK-677 is its ability to stimulate natural ghrelin production in the body.

Ghrelin, known as the “hunger hormone,” is produced by ghrelinergic cells in the stomach. It’s also a key neuropeptide in the central nervous system.

Here’s where it gets interesting—ghrelin regulates homeostasis, which controls how your body produces and uses cellular energy.

That’s a big win for anyone looking to bulk up, because MK-677 boosts appetite, helping you consume more calories easily.

But it doesn’t stop there. MK-677 also mimics growth hormone (GH), triggering powerful anabolic effects across the body.

GH—alongside testosterone—is a major driver of muscle growth, repair, and recovery after training.

Unlike steroids, MK-677 doesn’t suppress your natural hormone levels or spike cortisol, the stress hormone that promotes fat gain.

Even better, Ibutamoren (MK-677) helps preserve muscle by blocking somatostatin receptors. This reduces their activity and enhances GH output.

The result? Faster muscle growth, improved recovery, and better overall gains—without the harsh side effects of steroids.

Where to Buy MK-677

MK-677 is available for purchase from a large number of online sellers of SARMs. Before making your choice, however, it is imperative that you undertake due diligence in researching the company that you are dealing with. This is an unregulated industry that is rife with unscrupulous dealers. You should only deal with a company that provides full transparency, including publishing 3rd party testing results on all of their products on their website.

The most reputable company to buy MK-677 is from Chemyo.

MK-677 Benefits

Preserves Muscle

Muscle catabolism is a natural process whereby the body, thinking that it is starving, will tap into your muscle reserves and start breaking down muscle tissue and converting it into energy. This process largely takes place at night whilst you sleep, when calories are low.

One of the main benefits associated with Ibutamoren is the fact that it helps to preserve muscle tissue and prevent lean muscle breakdown in a variety of ways, exactly like Ostarine and Ligandrol.

To begin with, it enables you to consume more calories, so the more energy you have, the less your body will think it needs at night whilst you sleep.

As well as that, it also helps to prevent the production of cortisol, which is a stress hormone responsible for many anti-anabolic effects in the body.

Build Serious Muscle Mass

MK-677 boosts natural growth hormone release, driving muscle growth, improving bone density, and speeding up recovery after workouts.

It also increases appetite by stimulating ghrelin production. With more ghrelin, you’ll feel hungrier and eat more.

Looking to bulk up during the off-season? Ibutamoren is your go-to for adding serious mass and size quickly.

Decrease Cortisol Production

Cortisol is a natural stress hormone produced by the body in times of stress. While it can be beneficial in some situations, for the most part, it is a nightmare for bodybuilders.

Cortisol suppresses the metabolism so you burn off fewer calories and have less energy. On top of that, it also slows down the production of testosterone, which is a highly anabolic hormone that is essential for muscle growth and repair.

Although exercise is incredibly beneficial and good for us, one of the downsides to exercise is the fact that the body does view it as a form of stress.

When this occurs, it produces cortisol.

Normally, endurance-based workouts promote cortisol production, which ironically, will make it harder for you to burn fat and get fit.

Even though it is not officially a SARM, MK-677 has the same legal status as SARMs. As such, it is legal for sale in every country except for Australia. However, it has not been approved by the FDA in the USA and can only be sold for research purposes. It cannot be sold as a supplement or promoted for its muscle or fat cutting properties.

Who Should Use MK-677?

MK-677 may increase muscle mass and promote strength gains. It also preserves muscle mass when you are on a cutting cycle. So, it can be used during both bullying and a cutting cycle. If you are a bodybuilder or a gym goer who wants to increase muscle mass, MK-677 may benefit you.

MK-677 Forms

MK 677 Liquid

Many companies sell MK-677 as a liquid in a small bottle that comes with a measuring dropper. The concentration is suspended in a liquid for ease of administration.

MK 677 Powder

MK-677 also comes in loose powder form. You will need to measure out your own individual doses, which can be quite a messy process that can lead to wastage. However, the powder form is the least expensive of the three options.

MK 677 Capsules

MK-677 is also available in capsule form. In this case, the powder has been measured into gel capsules so that they can be easily taken.

MK-677 Dosage

Experts recommend that you begin with a low dosage of just 15mg – 20mg per day. After your first cycle, you can begin ramping up your dosage to a maximum of 50mg per day.

It should be cycled every 3 months.

MK-677 Cycle

Here is a sample 8 week beginner cycle of MK-677:

WeekMK-677
One20mg
Two20mg
Three20mg
Four20mg
Five20mg
Six20mg
Seven20mg
Eight20mg

MK-677 Stack

MK-677 stacks well with LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) in a mass gain stack. Here is a 16-week stack that many guys have had success with.

It involves taking MK-677 at triple the dosage and twice the length of LGD-4033.

WeekMK-677LGD-4033
One15mg per day5mg per day
Two15mg per day5mg per day
Three15mg per day5mg per day
Four15mg per day5mg per day
Five15mg per day5mg per day
Six15mg per day5mg per day
Seven15mg per day5mg per day
Eight15mg per day5mg per day
Nine15mg per day
Ten15mg per day
Eleven15mg per day
Twelve15mg per day
Thirteen15mg per day
Fourteen15mg per day
Fifteen15mg per day
Sixteen15mg per day

MK-677 Reviews

There are quite a few online reviews by verified users of MK-677. All of them report substantial gains in terms of lean muscle mass.

Typical results are gains of between 5 and 11 pounds of mass over a cycle. By drinking plenty of water they were able to keep their water retention low.

Most guys also reported that their strength level went up significantly on their compound exercises in the gym.

MK-677 Side Effects

Some users have experienced the following side effects when using the drug:

  • Headache
  • Water retention
  • Swollen extremities
  • Tingling and numbness of the extremities
  • Joint pain

MK-677 PCT

Because MK-677 does not cause any suppression of testosterone, there is no need to do post cycle therapy. In the stack described above with LGD-4033, the LGD dose is not high enough to require PCT.

MK-677 vs. Other Compounds

MK-677 vs. HGH

Both MK-677 and HGH are taken to increase muscle mass. The big difference between them is that, while MK-677 is taken orally, HGH must be injected. That is because it does not metabolize in the liver.

In terms of legality, HGH can only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. In contrast, MK-677 can be purchased ‘for research purposes.’

In terms of results, MK-677 and HGH are very similar.

Anamorelin vs MK-677

Anamorelin is a compound that was first developed to treat people with anorexia. It has a similar mechanism to MK-677 in that it binds to specific receptors to boost the body’s production of HGH. However, there are more studies to confirm the benefits of MK-677 in terms of muscle gains and prevention of muscle wastage when you are losing body fat. The side effects of MK-677 are also not as pronounced as with Anamorelin.

MK-2866 vs MK-677

With the names being so similar, it’s easy to get these two compounds mixed up. They are, however, quite different. MK-677 is a growth hormone secretagogue that mimics the actions of the hormone ghrelin. MK-2866, though, is a selective androgen receptor modulator. It is an androgen receptor modulator. In terms of muscle growth, MK-677 will give you better results with MK-2866 being more geared toward preventing muscle wastage.

MK-677 vs LGD-4033

Both MK-677 and LGD-4033 are designed to increase muscle mass and reduce muscle wastage. Of the two, LGD-4033 has the most worrying side effects, especially to the liver. That is why your dosage of LGD-4033 should be lower than MK-677. In the sample stack that I have provided, LGD-4033 is three times less than MK-677.

Is MK-677 Worth It?

Absolutely. MK-677 is a powerful compound for building lean muscle and stopping muscle loss in its tracks.

When paired with consistent training and clean eating, it delivers serious results. To get the most out of your cycle, eat about 500 extra calories daily. Focus on lean proteins and low-glycemic carbs to support recovery and muscle growth.

With this setup, users often gain 5–11 pounds of lean, dense muscle per cycle. MK-677 works by raising growth hormone levels naturally. That leads to faster muscle repair, better fat loss, and stronger performance in the gym.

Whether you’re cutting or bulking, MK-677 helps you grow and recover like never before.

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Contributors

Steve Theunissen

Steve Theunissen | Writer

Steve Theunissen is a seasoned fitness professional with 25+ years of experience. He has multiple certifications from the International Sports Sciences Association, including Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition Certification, and Strength and Conditioning Certification. He's a knowledgeable and experienced bodybuilding coach, combining his passion for fitness with his writing skills to educate and inspire. Whether starting out or looking to take training to the next level, Steve Theunissen is the ideal coach to help reach fitness goals.

Read all articles
Dr. Mohammed Fouda

Dr. Mohammed Fouda | Reviewer

Dr. Fouda uses his extensive knowledge and expertise as an academic scholar to medically review articles for scientific accuracy and credibility, ensuring that the medical information presented is up-to-date and trustworthy. He is responsible for ensuring the quality of the medical information presented on our website.

Read all articles
2 Comments
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MJ
MJ
5 years ago

I was reading on a site that creatine should not be taken while taking mk677. I see that one side effect is water retention, and creatine is also known to cause water retention. So, is a good reason to not mix with creatine use? Or is it safe at lower (20mg) dosages?

Reda Elmardi
5 years ago
Reply to  MJ

Hi MJ

Creatine can be a good thing to add on your supplementations, it can be done for weight gain and also for weight loss, you should just know when and the perfect dosage to take.

Mk-677

Chemical Structure

Mechanism of Action

Mk-677 (Ibutamoren) is a growth hormone secretagogue that mimics the action of ghrelin, the "hunger hormone." By binding to ghrelin receptors, it stimulates the release of growth hormone and IGF-1 from the pituitary gland without affecting cortisol levels. This promotes muscle growth, fat metabolism, and potentially other health benefits.

Class of Compound

Selective agonist

Street Names

Nutrobal, L-163,191

Effects

  • Increased Growth Hormone
  • Increased Apetite.

Side Effects and Dangers

  • Water Retention and Edemae
  • Muscle and Joint Pain
  • Increased Appetite
  • Elevated Blood Sugar Levels
  • Lethargy or Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Potential Increase in Tumor Growth
.

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