10 Side Effects of MK-677 (Ibutamoren) You Must Know

When I first heard about Ibutamoren (MK-677), I was intrigued. People in the fitness and bodybuilding community kept talking about it like it was some kind of “magic pill” for growth hormone release. Supposedly, it wasn’t a steroid, not even a SARM, but something called a growth hormone secretagogue – meaning it tricks your body into releasing more of its own growth hormone and IGF-1.

That sounded appealing. Who wouldn’t want more muscle, better recovery, improved sleep, and even anti-aging effects – all from one capsule a day?

But as with most performance-enhancing compounds, the reality isn’t all sunshine. Over the months I’ve used MK-677 on and off, I’ve experienced both the benefits and the side effects, some of which surprised me. In this article, I’ll walk you through what I personally noticed, what other users often report, and what you should be aware of if you’re thinking about trying it.

The Promises vs. Reality

Before I go into the side effects, let me quickly explain why people (including me) get drawn to MK-677 in the first place.

The promises I kept reading online were:

• Gain muscle while losing fat.
• Sleep deeper and wake up refreshed.
• Heal faster from workouts and injuries.
• Look fuller and younger because of higher GH levels.
• No injections, just an oral capsule.

And honestly, some of these benefits are real. Within two weeks, I was sleeping like a baby – the kind of deep REM sleep I hadn’t felt in years. My muscles also started looking fuller, and my strength went up noticeably at the gym.

But then came the side effects – the things that people often brush over when they hype MK-677.

10 Side Effects of MK-677 (From My Experience & Others)

1. Extreme Hunger

This was the first side effect I noticed, and it hit me hard. Within just a few days, I was raiding my fridge at midnight like I hadn’t eaten in days. The hunger was so strong it felt unnatural, almost uncontrollable.

For someone in a bulking phase, this might be great. But if you’re trying to stay lean or cut body fat, it can completely derail your progress. Personally, I ended up gaining more fat than I wanted because I couldn’t stop eating.

2. Water Retention

Another thing I noticed quickly was bloating. My face looked puffier, my rings felt tighter, and I could tell I was holding water. It wasn’t exactly flattering, and it made me look less lean. For me, it also came with a slight rise in blood pressure – something worth keeping an eye on.

3. Joint Pain

Around week three, I started feeling aches in my knees and wrists. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was annoying. I’ve read that this happens because of the increase in growth hormone and fluid around joints. Some people even say MK-677 helps joint health long term, but in my case, it was more pain than relief.

4. Sleepiness & Fatigue

This one was strange. On one hand, I slept deeper at night. On the other hand, I often felt groggy during the day, almost like I couldn’t fully wake up. Sometimes, after taking my dose in the morning, I’d feel like I needed another nap two hours later.

5. Numbness & Tingling in Hands

This was one of the weirdest side effects. I would wake up at night with my hands feeling numb or tingling, almost like pins and needles. It reminded me of what people with carpal tunnel describe. From what I’ve read, this happens because of water retention pressing on nerves.

6. Increased Blood Sugar

After a few weeks, I noticed that my energy after meals wasn’t the same. I felt sluggish, and sometimes I’d get light-headed. A blood test confirmed my fasting glucose was higher than usual. MK-677 is known to cause insulin resistance, so this made sense. It’s something anyone with a family history of diabetes should take seriously.

7. Higher Blood Pressure

The combination of water retention and changes in blood sugar made my blood pressure go up slightly. Not dangerously high, but enough for me to be concerned. For anyone who already has high blood pressure, this could be a deal-breaker.

8. Muscle Cramps

Occasionally, especially at night, I’d get painful muscle cramps in my calves. It wasn’t constant, but when it happened, it was enough to wake me up. Hydration and electrolytes helped, but it was still a side effect worth noting.

9. Headaches

This one came and went. Some days I was fine, other days I’d get dull headaches that seemed linked to the bloating and higher blood pressure. Lowering the dose helped reduce this, but it never fully disappeared.

10. Weight Gain (Not All Muscle)

Finally, the biggest side effect: weight gain. Yes, I gained muscle, but I also gained fat and water. The scale went up quickly, and while my shirts fit tighter in the chest and arms, my waistline also expanded. If you’re looking for a clean, lean look, this might frustrate you.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Effects

Short-Term (First Weeks)

• Hunger sky-high.
• Deeper sleep, but daytime grogginess.
• Noticeable water retention.
• Slight joint pain.

Long-Term (Months)

• Blood sugar creeping up.
• More consistent joint aches.
• Blood pressure higher than normal.
• Harder to stay lean because of constant appetite.

This was enough for me to realize MK-677 isn’t as “side-effect free” as some people claim.

What Helped Me Manage the Side Effects

Over time, I learned a few tricks that made MK-677 more tolerable:

• Lower dose: Instead of 25 mg, I found 10–15 mg worked better with fewer issues.
• Taking it at night: Helped with daytime sleepiness.
• Strict diet control: If I didn’t meal prep, I’d eat everything in sight.
• Supplements: Magnesium and electrolytes helped with cramps.
• Bloodwork: Keeping track of glucose and blood pressure was essential.

Final Thoughts

So, is MK-677 worth it?

For me, it was a mixed bag. On one hand, the muscle fullness, recovery, and sleep quality were amazing. On the other hand, the hunger, water retention, and long-term health risks made me question if it’s worth staying on.

If you’re considering trying it, my advice is this:

• Don’t believe the hype that it’s side-effect free.
• Start low and monitor your health closely.
• Remember that long-term studies on healthy people are almost non-existent.

At the end of the day, MK-677 is a powerful compound with real benefits – but the side effects are very real too. If you’re going to experiment with it, go in with your eyes open and don’t ignore the warning signs your body gives you.