PEPTIDES VS SARMS
PEPTIDES VS SARMS
Complete comparison of peptides and SARMs for muscle growth, fat loss, and performance. Mechanisms, safety, legality, results, and which one is better for your situation.
Complete comparison of peptides and SARMs for muscle growth, fat loss, and performance. Mechanisms, safety, legality, results, and which one is better for your situation.
ESSENTIALS
The key differences between peptides and SARMs
The key differences between peptides and SARMs
Features
Peptides
SARMs
Best For
First-time users, steady loss
Maximum weight loss, and faster
Safety profile
Very safe
More side effects
Legality
Legal (research use)
Gray area, banned in sports
Gains timeline
Steady, sustainable (weeks)
Faster (days-weeks)
Side effects
Rare, mild
Common, potentially serious
Monthly cost
$100-300
$150-400
Features
Peptides
SARMs
Best For
First-time users, steady loss
Maximum weight loss, and faster
Safety profile
Very safe
More side effects
Legality
Legal (research use)
Gray area, banned in sports
Gains timeline
Steady, sustainable (weeks)
Faster (days-weeks)
Side effects
Rare, mild
Common, potentially serious
Monthly cost
$100-300
$150-400
THE BASICS
What peptides and SARMs are and how they work
What peptides and SARMs are and how they work
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal your body to produce specific hormones and proteins naturally. They work with your body's existing systems to optimize growth hormone, healing, metabolism, and recovery. Examples include Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, BPC-157, and TB-500.
Signaling your pituitary gland naturally
Signaling your pituitary gland naturally
Increasing endogenous growth hormone production
Promoting new blood vessel formation
Promoting natural healing and recovery
Slowing gastric emptying
Enhancing existing biological processes
Enhancing existing biological processes
Working systemically without receptor binding
Working systemically without receptor binding
Maintaining natural hormone balance
Maintaining natural hormone balance
SARMs
SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are synthetic compounds that directly bind to androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue. They mimic testosterone's effects but are designed to be more selective. Examples include Ostarine, RAD-140, LGD-4033, and S23.
Binding directly to androgen receptors
Binding directly to androgen receptors
Mimicking testosterone at receptor sites
Promoting new blood vessel formation
Selectively targeting muscle and bone tissue
Selectively targeting muscle and bone tissue
Suppressing natural testosterone production
Suppressing natural testosterone production
Creating anabolic effects similar to steroids
Creating anabolic effects similar to steroids
Bypassing natural hormone regulation
Bypassing natural hormone regulation
COMPARISON
Complete feature comparison
Complete feature comparison
Every aspect compared side-by-side, safety, effectiveness, legality, and more
Every aspect compared side-by-side, safety, effectiveness, legality, and more
Category
Peptides
SARMs
Mechanism
Natural hormone signaling
Direct receptor binding
Muscle gains
Moderate, sustainable
Rapid, dramatic
Fat loss
Moderate to strong
Strong to very strong
Recovery
Excellent
Good
Healing
Superior
Limited
Testosterone suppression
None
Common (dose-dependent)
Liver toxicity
None
Possible (compound-dependent)
Hair loss risk
None
Possible
PCT required
No
Usually yes
Detection in tests
Most undetectable
Detectable, banned
Long-term safety data
Good
Limited
FDA approval
Some for specific uses
None
Reversibility
Immediate
Requires PCT
Category
Peptides
SARMs
Mechanism
Natural hormone signaling
Direct receptor binding
Muscle gains
Moderate, sustainable
Rapid, dramatic
Fat loss
Moderate to strong
Strong to very strong
Recovery
Excellent
Good
Healing
Superior
Limited
Testosterone suppression
None
Common (dose-dependent)
Liver toxicity
None
Possible (compound-dependent)
Hair loss risk
None
Possible
PCT required
No
Usually yes
Detection in tests
Most undetectable
Detectable, banned
Long-term safety data
Good
Limited
FDA approval
Some for specific uses
None
Reversibility
Immediate
Requires PCT
Category
Peptides
SARMs
Mechanism
Natural hormone signaling
Direct receptor binding
Muscle gains
Moderate, sustainable
Rapid, dramatic
Fat loss
Moderate to strong
Strong to very strong
Recovery
Excellent
Good
Healing
Superior
Limited
Testosterone suppression
None
Common (dose-dependent)
Liver toxicity
None
Possible (compound-dependent)
Hair loss risk
None
Possible
PCT required
No
Usually yes
Detection in tests
Most undetectable
Detectable, banned
Long-term safety data
Good
Limited
FDA approval
Some for specific uses
None
Reversibility
Immediate
Requires PCT
CHOOSE
Which option for your goals
Which option for your goals
Choose based on your goals, risk tolerance, and commitment to health
Choose based on your goals, risk tolerance, and commitment to health
Choose Peptides if you:
Choose Peptides if you:
Want natural, sustainable gains
Want natural, sustainable gains
Prioritize long-term health
Prioritize long-term health
Need injury recovery
Need injury recovery
Are drug-tested (athlete)
Are drug-tested (athlete)
Want to avoid suppression
Want to avoid suppression
Prefer working with body
Prefer working with body
Value proven safety
Value proven safety
Plan long-term use (6+ months)
Plan long-term use (6+ months)
Choose SARMs if you:
Choose SARMs if you:
Want rapid muscle gains
Want rapid muscle gains
Need aggressive cutting
Need aggressive cutting
Willing to accept side effects
Can handle suppression
Can handle suppression
Aren't drug-tested
Aren't drug-tested
Want steroid-like results
Want steroid-like results
Are experienced with PEDs
Are experienced with PEDs
Accept gray legal status
Accept gray legal status
Consider neither if you:
Use both if you have:
Are under 21 years old
Are under 21 years old
Haven't maximized natural training
Haven't maximized natural training
Less than 2 years experience
Less than 2 years experience
Have existing health conditions
Have insurance covering semaglutide
Unwilling to monitor bloodwork
Unwilling to monitor bloodwork
Can't commit to protocols
Don't understand risks
Don't understand risks
Want quick shortcuts
Want quick shortcuts
FREE TOOLS
Explore all peptide calculators
Explore all peptide calculators
Tools to optimize every aspect of your peptide protocol
Tools to optimize every aspect of your peptide protocol
Dosage Calculator
Calculate precise dosages, injection volumes, and frequency for all major peptides based on your body weight.
Reconstitution Calculator
Concentration ratios, injection volumes, and IU measurements when mixing peptide powder with bacteriostatic water.
BPC-157 Calculator
Get injury-specific BPC-157 dosing protocols with cycle length recommendations for optimal healing results.
TB-500 Calculator
Calculate loading and maintenance phase protocols for TB-500 based on injury severity and recovery goals.
Dosage Calculator
Calculate precise dosages, injection volumes, and frequency for all major peptides based on your body weight.
Reconstitution Calculator
Concentration ratios, injection volumes, and IU measurements when mixing peptide powder with bacteriostatic water.
BPC-157 Calculator
Get injury-specific BPC-157 dosing protocols with cycle length recommendations for optimal healing results.
TB-500 Calculator
Calculate loading and maintenance phase protocols for TB-500 based on injury severity and recovery goals.
Dosage Calculator
Calculate precise dosages, injection volumes, and frequency for all major peptides based on your body weight.
Reconstitution Calculator
Concentration ratios, injection volumes, and IU measurements when mixing peptide powder with bacteriostatic water.
BPC-157 Calculator
Get injury-specific BPC-157 dosing protocols with cycle length recommendations for optimal healing results.
TB-500 Calculator
Calculate loading and maintenance phase protocols for TB-500 based on injury severity and recovery goals.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about peptides, SARMs, and choosing between them
Everything you need to know about peptides, SARMs, and choosing between them
Are peptides weaker than SARMs?
Peptides produce slower, more sustainable gains than SARMs. They're not "weaker" - they work differently. SARMs give rapid dramatic results with side effects. Peptides give steady natural results without suppression. Different tools for different goals.
Are peptides weaker than SARMs?
Peptides produce slower, more sustainable gains than SARMs. They're not "weaker" - they work differently. SARMs give rapid dramatic results with side effects. Peptides give steady natural results without suppression. Different tools for different goals.
Are peptides weaker than SARMs?
Peptides produce slower, more sustainable gains than SARMs. They're not "weaker" - they work differently. SARMs give rapid dramatic results with side effects. Peptides give steady natural results without suppression. Different tools for different goals.
Can I avoid PCT with SARMs by using low doses?
Can I avoid PCT with SARMs by using low doses?
Can I avoid PCT with SARMs by using low doses?
Do peptides build muscle as well as SARMs?
Do peptides build muscle as well as SARMs?
Do peptides build muscle as well as SARMs?
Which is safer for women?
Which is safer for women?
Which is safer for women?
Do peptides shut down testosterone?
Do peptides shut down testosterone?
Do peptides shut down testosterone?
What's the best first SARM?
What's the best first SARM?
What's the best first SARM?
Do I need bloodwork for peptides?
Do I need bloodwork for peptides?
Do I need bloodwork for peptides?
Ready to optimize your peptide use?
Ready to optimize your peptide use?
Know you're doing it safely, save hundreds on wrong peptides, and finally see the results you've been working for
Know you're doing it safely, save hundreds on wrong peptides, and finally see the results you've been working for