Ibutamoren (MK-677) — growth-hormone signaling support for muscle recovery, sleep, and IGF-1 levels

Ibutamoren (MK-677) helps the body produce growth hormone more actively. It works through ghrelin receptors, a hormone associated with appetite and sleep patterns. In this context, IGF-1 levels usually increase—this is one of the key mediators of growth hormone activity in tissues.

In practice, MK-677 is more often used as recovery support: to better tolerate high training volumes, improve sleep quality, and get back into shape faster after hard sessions—especially when recovery starts lagging due to stress and lack of sleep.

It is important to understand: MK-677 alone does not guarantee muscle growth. Results are primarily dependent on training, nutrition, and sleep, and ibutamoren is generally seen as an additional tool that may improve overall recovery and hormonal markers.

Who can benefit from Ibutamoren?

• ✔ If you want to gain lean muscle mass — Ibutamoren raises growth hormone, which may support muscle protein synthesis and recovery.
• ✔ If you are looking to lose fat — higher GH activity may support fat metabolism, especially alongside proper diet and training.
• ✔ If you struggle with poor sleep — some users report deeper, more restorative sleep.
• ✔ If you aim to improve joint recovery — it may support tissue repair processes that matter for heavy training.
• ✔ If you have low IGF-1 or low growth-hormone activity — it may help raise IGF-1 by stimulating your own GH release.
• ✔ Increased appetite due to its action on ghrelin receptors.

How to take Ibutamoren correctly?

Capsule content: 10 mg.

Recommended dosage: most often start with 10 mg per day (1 capsule) and assess tolerance for 7–14 days. If the goal is a more pronounced effect on markers/sleep/appetite and tolerance is good, some increase to 20 mg (2 capsules).

Maximum dosage: in practical regimens it usually does not go beyond 25 mg/day, because higher doses often increase side effects (appetite/edema/lethargy) more than benefits.

When to take:

• In the evening — a popular option if sleep and recovery are the priority.
• In the morning — sometimes chosen if evening use makes falling asleep harder or increases evening appetite too much.

Duration of use: minimally, it makes sense to evaluate the effect over 4 weeks. Longer cycles are used in practice, but with long-term use it is especially important to monitor well-being and metabolic markers.

Possible side effects:

• Water retention and bloating, especially in the first few weeks.
• Joint pain or discomfort, particularly in individuals prone to joint issues.
• Numbness or tingling in extremities, which can occur when GH activity rises noticeably.
• Fatigue or drowsiness, sometimes linked to changes in sleep.

These side effects are usually mild and tend to subside over time as the body adjusts.

How does Ibutamoren work?

Ibutamoren binds to the ghrelin receptor in the brain, mimicking ghrelin’s signaling. This stimulates the pituitary gland to release more growth hormone, which in turn increases IGF-1 production. IGF-1 plays a major role in tissue repair, metabolism, and muscle-related adaptations.

Unlike growth hormone injections, which deliver GH directly, Ibutamoren stimulates the body’s own production—an oral approach that some people prefer when they want to support GH activity without injections.

By increasing GH signaling and IGF-1, it may support recovery processes, sleep depth, and body-composition goals when combined with proper training and nutrition.

Benefits for PEDs users

Compared to AAS and other PEDs, ibutamoren is most often used as a supportive recovery tool. It stimulates your own growth hormone release and increases IGF-1, which may help recovery between sessions, support lean-mass retention, and improve how joints and connective tissue feel—especially during off-cycle periods and PCT, when recovery often drops.

It also commonly improves sleep depth and increases appetite. This can be useful during mass phases when you need high calorie intake, and when other compounds reduce hunger. At the same time, monitor the most common issues: water retention swelling, excessive appetite, and possible worsening of blood sugar control.

Important: ibutamoren is subject to anti-doping rules and is prohibited by WADA.