Human Growth Hormones Steroids & Body Enhancing Products - Research Paper Example

Human Growth Hormone of drug: Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Drug group: #6 Steroids/ Body enhancing products Five most Popular street names and significance a) Street names: GH, HGH, Anabolic hormone, Growth hormone, Somatropin b) Brief history of the drug Growth hormone (BGH) was first used in human therapy in the year 1920’s. At around that time, a deficiency in GH was discovered. Man turned to extracting growth hormone from bovine to treat the GH deficiency and type 1 diabetes. Due to its different structure from HGH, BGH failed in the treatment. Later in the 1950’s Maurice Raben, an endocrinologist, turned to extracting GH from cadavers. He successfully used it in treating a patient who had been diagnosed with GH deficiency. In the 1960’s, the National Institute of Health formed the National Pituitary Agency that controls the procurement and the distribution of GH (HGHMEDS). Today, the drug has evolved and undergone several phases of development. It is now used for many purposes. Some of the most common uses include treating children with growth hormone deficiency, use by athletes to enhance performance in sports, and by the elderly to re-energize themselves and feel much younger and stronger. 2. How can this drug be taken? Forms: injections, Sprays and Pills/capsules (most supplements). 3. Effects of the drug include: a) Short term effects Growth hormone has been proven to have some regulatory effect on blood. GH has a particular effect on blood hemorheology. Growth hormone has been known to stimulate the Insulin like growth factor. The growth hormone insulin like growth factor system (GH-IGF-1) has a profound effect on the status of body fluids. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of rhGH (recombinant human growth hormone) on rheology of blood in 30 young males. The study evaluated red blood cell aggregation, and serum insulin like growth factor one levels. The study found out that the erythrocyte aggregation index increased significantly post injection (Ramos, 127). It is these changes in body fluid status that are responsible for the improved performance that is noted in athletes who use growth hormones to enhance their performance. Arthralgias are also short term effects of use of GH. Arthralgias occur commonly as some studies have shown an occurrence of up to 46% in people who use HGH. It is a short term effect that disappears within weeks of GH use withdrawal. The condition is thought to occur as a result of the regenerative and growth effects of GH on bones. With the use of GH, the bones increase in their thickness stretching some tissue in the process. This stretching is the source of the mild pain (HGH Research). Use of the injectible form of the hormone most of the time results in swelling at the site of injection. The swelling may not be necessarily dangerous but has the potential of being painful or uncomfortable. b) Long term effects Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has been closely associated with the long term use of GH. This syndrome is characterized by numbing and pain or certain tingling sensations in the hand. This sensation occurs when a nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist is compressed. Growth hormone is known to increase tissue repair and growth. Its long term use results in increased bone mass of the wrist and forearms. GH also increases body water content. The increased fluids together with the increased density of bones of the forearm and wrist could compress the nerve in the carpal tunnel resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome (HGH Research). Growth hormone treatment has been associated with the onset of diabetes. Growth hormone administration has been associated with increased levels of IGF-1. This IGF-1 acts on a number of cells in the body. When its levels are high in blood, it results in a decreased uptake of insulin by cells of the body. High levels of IGF-1 also result in a decrease in the metabolism of glucose by the hepatocytes. As a result there is hyperglycemia. There are studies that associate a low level of GH (GH deficiency) with hypoglycemia. Diabetes onset among children is therefore attributable to GH treatment (HGH Supplements Research). Due to the regenerative ability of GH and growth associated with it, GH has been used in the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency to increase their height. GH is responsible for new cells production, their regeneration and repair. GH greatly increases cell division as well as the structure and size of the of the existing cells. It increases the rate at which amino acids are converted into proteins within the cells (Association Against Steroid Abuse).GH increases height of an individual, decreases fat in children with GH deficiency (Prader Willi Syndrome), and increases IGF. IGF has been noted to increase cell growth and inhibit cell death. The use of GH in slowing ageing is thought to be associated with activity of GH and IGF (Livestrong.com). GH has also been known to increase the muscle density of the ventricles of the heart. As a result there is cardiomegally associated with better functioning of the heart and increased quality of life. Long term use of GH has been associated with the development of mood swings that re intense, heart attacks and liver cancer, irregular heart beats, and face and joints deformities (Drug Addictions). GH therapy has also been associated with increased size of tumors, acromegally and gynaecomastia due to its growth inducing abilities (Steroid Side Effects). 4. Cost of the drug: The cost is not fixed. It can range from below $100 per month to several $1000 per month. This is especially so due to the cheap generics originating from China (HGHMEDS). 5. Advantages and disadvantages of using the drug Some of the advantages of using the drug include strengthened connective tissue, improved hand to eye coordination, slowed ageing process, gains in muscle mass, adipose tissue burning, and general body fitness. Disadvantages include pituitary tumor in excess quantities of HGH, type two diabetes, weakened eyesight, headaches, gigantism in children, stunted growth in low levels, development of tumors in breasts, lung and colon (HGH Supplements Research). a) Groups of people likely to use the drug include athletes who want to improve their performance, the old who want to feel younger and more energized, the children with stunted growth and excess adipose tissue (Prader Willi Syndrome), body builders and weight lifters who have an intention of increasing their muscle strength and mass. Patients suffering from AIDS have used it to correct the wasting effects associated with AIDS. 6. Addictive qualities of the drug stem from the outcome associated with the use of the drug. Body builders who use GH for instance use the hormone to increase their muscle mass and strength. Often, most of the body builders obtain the desired outcome. They continue using the drug in an effort to get more of the “desired outcomes” and in the process they get addicted. a) Physically/psychologically/both? HGH is both physically and psychologically addictive. HGH has been known to repair body tissue and its regeneration. Its use has been associated with a feeling of youthfulness and energy increases. In its absence this feeling is lost and a desire to obtain and use it ensues. It is also psychologically addictive, this is because in many instances, athletes who have been using GH in order to enhance their performance have always ended up feeling unable to perform as usual in the absence GH. b) Withdrawal symptoms. GH has been associated with very few withdrawal symptoms. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms associated with GH withdrawal include a reduction in focus, a reduction in co-ordination, reduced levels of activity and agility and very low levels of cravings. Often, these changes are insignificant. Steroids on the other hand are associated with intense cravings and some very harsh and painful withdrawal symptoms e.g. memory loss, a loss of focus and coordination to a great extent, profuse sweating, violence anger and anxiety /“Roid rage” (Testosterone Hormone). 7. Getting of the drug: There is not much research and documented evidence outlining any procedure of getting of GH. Many athletes have done well by simply tappering off the drug to a point they no longer need it. There isn’t much research documenting any adverse effects closely associated with the withdrawal of GH. Works Cited “HGH & Addiction” addictions.com. Drug Addiction. n.d. Web. 12 Apr 2012. “How are Diabetes and HGH Related?” hghsupplementresearch.com. HGH Supplement Research n.d. Web.12 Apr 2012. “Human Growth Hormone” steroidabuse.com. Association Against Steroid Abuse. n.d. Web. 12 Apr 2012. “Human Growth Hormone“steroidsideeffects.net. Steroid Side Effects.n.d. Web. 12 Apr 2012. “Long Term Effects of HGH” livestrong.com. Livestrong.com The Limitless Potential of You. n.d. Web. 12 Apr 2012. Ramos, Sandra, et al. “The Effects of Short Term Recombinant human Growth Hormone (rhGH) on Blood Rheology in Young Males.” Clinical Hemorheology 47.2 (2011): 121- 129. Print. “Side Effects of HGH-Athralgias” hghresearch.net.HGH Research: Has man Found the Fountain of Youth? 12 Apr 2012. Web. 12 Apr 2012. “The History of HGH” hghmeds.org. HGHMEDS Human Growth Hormone Resource, 12 Apr 2012. Web. 12 Apr 2012. Read More