Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced naturally by the pituitary gland that plays a role in growth and development. There has been interest in using synthetic HGH supplements for athletic performance enhancement and muscle building. However, the use of exogenous HGH is controversial and not recommended as a supplement for bulking or building muscle mass.
Some key points about HGH for bulking:
- HGH levels naturally decrease with age. Some bodybuilders seek to boost lagging levels for anabolic effects. However, HGH is very complex and works in conjunction with other hormones in the body. Simply increasing HGH may not yield significant muscle-building effects.
- Research on HGH for bulking is limited. While some studies on test subjects with growth hormone deficiency show moderate increases in lean body mass from HGH therapy, evidence does not support pronounced hypertrophic effects in healthy individuals.
- HGH causes fluid retention, which can create a temporary appearance of increased muscular size. However, this is not the same as growth of contractile muscle proteins that increase strength.
- The most pronounced effects of pharmaceutical HGH are seen when combined with other anabolic agents like testosterone or insulin. However, such combinations carry significantly more health risks.
- Side effects of long-term HGH use can include muscle/joint pain, edema, and abnormal growth of hands, face, and internal organs. These indicate it should not be used lightly as a sports supplement.
In summary, HGH on its own is considered fairly weak for boosting muscle growth to any appreciable degree, especially in supraphysiologic ranges. The health risks likely outweigh possible benefits for the average trainee. One is likely better off optimizing diet, training, and proven supplements like creatine rather than gambling with exogenous HGH.
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