HGH, or human growth hormone, is a naturally occurring compound in the human body that is integral to tissue growth, especially skeletal muscle. Athletes have been supplementing with synthetic HGH for years, despite the high risk associated with taking it. To be clear, HGH is illegal without a prescription in the United States and is banned by most sporting organizations including MLB, NCAA, and the IOC.
Legal Dangers
Although HGH does not fall under the federal list of controlled substances, it is still illegal to possess without a prescription. The federal law, 21 USC § 333(e), explicitly prohibits the sale or possession with intent to sell HGH. Violators face five to 10 years in jail, but this can vary from state to state. Some states, such as Rhode Island, Ohio, and West Virginia, have scheduled HGH, making the consequences of possession without a prescription more severe.
Dangers For Competitive Athletes
Athletes looking to gain an extra competitive edge by supplementing with HGH face serious consequences when caught by the sporting league in which they participate. The NCAA automatically suspends any player caught using HGH. More serious consequences, like being banned from college sports altogether and possible expulsion from school, also result from HGH use. In professional sports, such as Major League Baseball, HGH is considered a banned substance. If caught, the athlete may be suspended and fined. Subsequent offences receive harsher monetary penalties. Internationally, the International Olympic Committee has a zero tolerance drug policy. Olympic athletes caught using HGH will be banned from competing in upcoming Olympics with the potential of being banned for life. In some cases, Olympic athletes will have their records and medals taken away.
Dangers Of Administration
HGH must be injected into the body with a syringe. This can be a very dangerous practice. If the syringe is not sterile, infection can occur at the injection point. These infections can be serious, sometimes life threatening. If athletes are sharing needles, the likelihood of transmitting disease increases dramatically.
Negative Side Effects
Many negative side effects are associated with HGH use. The most common side effect is acromegaly, a chronic disease in which the bones of the head and the soft tissues of the feet and hands enlarge dramatically. HGH use can also throw off the delicate hormonal balance in the body. Insulin produced by the pancreas is most easily effected, limiting its ability to regulate blood sugar. The result is the development of diabetes. HGH also increases blood pressure to potentially dangerous levels. One of the least understood potential side effects of HGH use is the development of an autoimmune reaction within the body. This means that the immune system begins attacking healthy body tissue. The end result could be fatal.
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