Side Effects Of Hgh Stimulants

Many over-the-counter products claim to stimulate the release of human growth hormone. These substances, known as HGH secretagogues or HGH releasers, remain controversial because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them. Yet legitimate growth hormone stimulants, available by prescription, exist and can provide relief for children and adults with low HGH levels. Like all drugs, these products may cause side effects and patients should consult with a doctor before using them.

Reproductive Effects

According to a 2008 paper offered in the medical journal "Endocrine Research," the stomach hormone ghrelin effectively triggers HGH release. Ghrelin may help treat HGH deficiency in patients with low levels of growth hormone. Ghrelin, however, also has adverse effects on reproduction. A 2010 experiment presented in the "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation" tested the impact of ghrelin intake on healthy women. Results indicated that the hormone increased both growth hormone and prolactin levels. Unfortunately, large amounts of circulating prolactin can cause the cessation of menses and infertility. Thus ghrelin, when taken to increase HGH, must be used with caution.

Stress Responses

Ghrelin use may also increase levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone. ACTH plays an important role in the body's response to stress. A 2001 investigation published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism" looked at ghrelin's effects in healthy adults. Infusion of the hormone immediately increased ACTH levels relative to controls. These reactions warrant concern because excessive amounts of ACTH may cause hypertension. However, the infusion of an artificial secretagogue, hexarelin, during the 2001 study produced smaller ACTH effects. Therefore, some HGH stimulants are safer than others.

Injection Issues

Growth hormone and HGH stimulants typically require subcutaneous injection. Such administration causes pain and can lead to infection. A 2008 experiment described in the periodical "Clinical Cancer Research" evaluated injections of pegvisomant, a growth hormone analog, in healthy adults. The data showed that the analog increased HGH levels without causing significant reactions. Yet 33 percent of the subjects experienced injection-related bruising. Patients can avoid this side effect by using other HGH stimulants, such as capromorelin, which can be taken orally.

Behavioral Changes

Capromorelin's availability in a pill form provides an advantage over many HGH medications and other HGH stimulants, but this substance may cause other side effects. A 2009 report published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism" tested the impact of capromorelin on older adults. The drug increased growth hormone during the nighttime hours. It also enhanced physical performance scores and lean body mass. Capromorelin intake, however, caused an unwanted increase in appetite and made it more difficult to sleep. Yet many effects of HGH stimulants are intermittent and transient. For example, the negative effects on sleep in the 2009 study appeared within a few months but dissipated in less than a year.