What is Ostarine? The PED Ryan Garcia tested positive for after fight with Devin Haney known for its therapeutic and muscle building properties

Following his stunning victory over Devin Haney, it has emerged that Ryan Garcia tested positive for PEDS - both before and after the fight.

Garcia tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug Ostarine after taking a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test, boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported Wednesday night. 

The boxer reportedly failed for the substance in two urine sample tests taken the day before the fight and also following the fight. 

Garcia has maintained his innocence, branding the reports 'fake news' and calling the claims that he cheated ahead of the fight 'bulls***t.'

So what do we know about Ostarine, and is it possible that Garcia could have actually ingested it accidentally? 

What is Ostarine?

As noted by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Ostarine is the trademarked name for a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM).

This type of drug is not approved for use by the FDA, and is said to have less influence on properties like testosterone due to its 'fewer androgenic properties.'

 However, according to the USADA, Ostarine is being investigated as a way to treat 'muscle-wasting diseases' like osteoporosis, cancer, and hypogonadism.

 Why do athletes use it?

According to WebMD, 'Ostarine attaches to proteins in the body known as androgen receptors. When Ostarine binds to these receptors, it tells muscles to grow. '

Additionally, the drug is said to be used for illness, breast cancer and involuntary weight loss due to illness.

Due to its ability to grow muscle, it is sometimes found in dietary supplements, particularly bodybuilding supplements, WebMD says - despite not being approved (more on that below).

How long can it stay in your system?

There have been several studies done into Ostarine and how long it can last in one's body.

One, from the Manfred Donike Workshop, said Ostarine was detectable about two weeks later following a 30mg dose. Another study published in Wiley Analytical Science put the timeline at nine days.

Garcia has 10 days to request his B-sample be tested.

Have other athletes been caught?

While Garcia is the most recent athlete to be caught with Ostarine in their system, he's certainly not the first.

Lucien Bute tested positive for the drug in 2016, while Amir Khan also had it in his system before his loss to Kell Brook in 2022. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency reported 28 positive tests globally in 2015.

 How can it get into your body?

While Ostarine is not permitted to be in supplements, some manufacturers, according to the USADA, illegally put the drug and other SARMS in products.

These products are sometimes labeled as 'legal steroids' or 'research only' chemicals.

Additionally, the USADA says that sometimes, Ostarine may be omitted from supplement labels or given misleading names.

Combat journalist Kevin Iole said Ostarine is a supplement you have to take in 'extremely high quantities,' and said Garcia may have been the victim of contaminated supplements if his testing levels were low.