HGH (also known as human growth hormone) is often touted for its performance enhancing abilities. It is purported to have strong effects yet, because it is naturally produced by the body, remains undetectable in steroid and drug tests. However, much of the information that is available on HGH injections is from pharmaceutical companies, which are frequently biased in the promotion of the effects of their products.
Theory
Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland, a small structure at the base of the brain. It stimulates cells in many different tissues to grow and divide and is one of the major hormones responsible for growth in children. Some people suffer from abnormally low levels of growth hormone, particularly the elderly, and need to have human growth hormone injections. In addition, due to its ability to increase muscle mass, it is often illicitly used to promote muscle growth in athletes.
Effects (Medical Uses)
Synthetically made human growth hormone can be administered via an injection. They are most commonly prescribed for patients who have unusually low growth hormone levels. For these patients, human growth hormone injections can increase the density (and thus the strength) of their bones, their muscle mass and their capacity for exercise---and decrease body fat. Human growth hormone injections can also be used to treat the muscle wasting that can accompany AIDS or HIV infections.
Effects on Athletic Performance
Human growth hormone injections are commonly used by athletes in an attempt to improve physical performance by harnessing the hormone's ability to build muscle and decrease fat. Although its effects in these areas are well documented, there is no evidence that these injections are able to actually enhance strength or athletic performance. In fact, a systematic review of studies on the effects of growth hormone on athletes (headed by Dr. Hau Liu and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine) found that despite the increase in lean muscle mass there was no evidence that strength or exercise capacity was increased. In fact, some studies found increases in lactic acid, which causes muscle cramping.
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