S-23 Reference

Plain English

What it is

S-23 is a SARM, a lab-made drug that targets the body's muscle-building hormone signals. It is sold only as a research chemical, not as an approved medicine, and there is no FDA-approved version of it.

What people use it for

In the bodybuilding and muscle-gain community it is talked about as a strong compound for building muscle and changing body composition. This is anecdotal community use, not an approved or proven medical use.

What the science shows

The research on S-23 is animal-only (preclinical). In rats it was studied as a possible male birth-control drug because it strongly cut sperm production, and that effect was reported to reverse after stopping in the animals. It has never been tested in a human clinical trial.

The catch

The FDA warns the public against SARMs, which are sold illegally and are not approved, and products containing them have been tied to serious harm such as liver injury, heart attack, and stroke. Anti-doping authorities (WADA) ban all SARMs at all times as S1.2 anabolic agents, and S-23 is named on that list. A specific concern with S-23 is that it strongly suppresses sperm production and full recovery is not guaranteed in every account; like other SARMs it can also lower natural testosterone and affect cholesterol.

Reference summary

Preclinical rat work demonstrated reversible spermatogenesis suppression in animal models. Direct human clinical efficacy data were not located during review.

Regulatory and posture

Categories

SARM

Aliases

Non-steroidal SARM, Investigational male contraceptive SARM

Evidence posture

preclinical - FDA enforcement attention. Sold only as a research chemical, not for human consumption per legal seller terms. WADA-prohibited under category S1.2 at all times. Suppresses spermatogenesis in preclinical animal models - human male-contraceptive efficacy is unproven. No FDA-approved drug label.

Regulatory status

No FDA-approved S-23 drug label. WADA prohibits SARMs under category S1.2 at all times. FDA enforcement against SARMs sellers applies. S-23 has been studied as a candidate male contraceptive in preclinical animal literature.

Content review status

research reference