The difference between them and steroids is that SARMs selectively stimulate androgen receptors in just muscles and bone cells without affecting other cells in the body. This is possible because SARMs are designed to have an affinity for various cells such as muscles and bones and no affinity for others such as liver and prostate. They also do no disintegrate into DHT and estrogen molecules which cause side effects in steroids.
SARMs were originally developed for people with diseases such as
chronic fatigue and muscle wasting as well as anaemia. They also can
come in handy during an injury rehabilitation. The studies of SARMs have
been mainly done in rats and therefore there is no extensive study in
humans SARMS can have an anabolic to androgenic ratio of up to 10:1.
This is the ratio of muscle development to side effects.
There are various types of SARMs on the market the common ones being;
MK-2866(Ostarine), LGD-4033(Ligandrol), LGD-3303, CSY-007(Andarine).
They bear alphanumeric names as they have not been approved for medical
use yet. Sarms are not toxic to the liver and have little to no effect
on blood pressure. They also do not suppress the body's production of
natural testosterone, unlike steroids. SARMs are banned by the World
Anti-doping Agency and so if you are an athlete you should not use them.
SARMs can be bought online or over the counter but are sold with a
"resarch use only" tag and not for human consumption. They are
administered orally. Its hard to tell with absolute certainty the
long-term side effects of using SARMs(if any).
Sources:
Sarms 101 Guide
Psychological Aspects of Sport-Injury Rehabilitation: A Developmental Perspective
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164909/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164909/
Iron deficiency anaemia: Symptoms, causes, treatments & diagnosis
https://www.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anaemia
https://www.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/iron-deficiency-anaemia
