Bodybuilders commonly use peptide injections as performance-enhancing aids. One of the most commonly used peptides in bodybuilding is the Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS). Most athletes and bodybuilders always want to enhance their performance and achieve faster results by altering their body composition. Hence many bodybuilders resort to supplements, steroids, and research chemicals to attain their desired fitness goals. This detailed guide reviews the peptides and how athletes can effectively use them to attain the desired fitness goals.
Peptides for Muscle Gains
Peptides are categorized as a safer alternative to anabolic steroids. These natural alternatives have proven to be very competent in attaining growth in lean muscle mass, promoting fat loss, and helping bodybuilders train effectively and for a long time through increased strength and faster recovery.
What are Peptides?
Peptides, including the Growth hormone secretagogues, are amino acids in short-chain form. These little molecules are the building blocks of proteins and peptides. Even though peptides are manufactured, they also naturally occur in the human body and facilitate various vital functions to improve overall health. They are also available in protein food sources like meat, fish, dairy, whole grains, eggs, beans, and lentils. Synthetic peptides are created by isolating the peptides or combining two amino acids to form a peptide.
The artificial peptides have a similar structure to some messaging compounds and hormones in the body. Other peptides even have the capability of penetrating body tissues. Like naturally occurring peptides, artificial peptides help facilitate plenty of bodily functions. Some critical bodily functions that influence are the production of DNA and hormones and the building of muscle tissues. The building muscle capability of peptides makes them appealing to bodybuilders.
Most peptides are ingested orally and come in powder or capsule form. The other option is the injection option.
What do Peptides do to the body?
Since peptides have a similar chemical structure to some hormones and messaging compounds present in the body, they can influence various bodily functions. The peptides use the body’s active receptors to trigger and enhance various body activities. Peptides have different sequences and compositions, that’s why different peptides affect different bodily functions. For instance, bodybuilders opt for the peptides that trigger the hormones, enhancing strength, fat loss, and lean muscle mass gain.
How do Peptides Work for Bodybuilders?
The leading objective of bodybuilders when using supplements or peptides is to efficiently and speedily change their body’s composition without incurring any side effects. Research studies and tests show that growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) can effectively and safely help bodybuilders attain this goal. GHS are specific peptides that have become very popular among bodybuilders due to their ability to trigger the release and production of the HGH (human growth hormone).
The human growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and helps enhance the growth of lean muscles, prompting faster fat loss. These two essential processes are achieved by HGH by triggering growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production by the liver. The growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an insulin-like molecule, which triggers muscle growth and muscle protein production. It also indirectly triggers the burning down of fat by the body.
In the 1980s, many athletes widely used artificial HGH, including bodybuilders, to enhance performance. Due to safety concerns, the compound was banned by regulating bodies in 1989. Many people who use GHS believe it has the same benefits for bodybuilders as HGH but has fewer side effects. Thus it’s a safer alternative to the artificial HGH.
Various research studies on the growth hormone secretagogues reveal that the compound enhances the production of HGH or IGF-1. Additional studies have been done to determine the effects of ingesting GHS and how it affects recovery, strength, and lean muscle mass gains. Also, there are no scientific studies that evaluate the effect of the peptide on trained individuals. We hope more research studies will be done to determine whether GHS can benefit bodybuilders.
What Peptides to Use for Bodybuilding?
There are different types of peptides, and they trigger enhanced performance of various bodily functions. Bodybuilders want peptides to enhance lean muscle gains, trigger speedier fat loss, and enhance performance. The growth hormone secretagogue peptide is the primary peptide that is important for bodybuilding goals.
Below are popular examples of the growth hormone secretagogues which bodybuilders can use to attain their fitness goals:
- Growth-hormone-releasing hormones (sermorelin, CJC-129, 5 tesamorelin, and CJC-1293)
- Ghrelin and research compounds that mimic its actions (lenomorelin, macimorelin, anamorelin, tabimorelin, and ipamorelin)
- Growth hormone-releasing peptide – GHRP (alexamorelin, GHRP-3, GHRP-4, GHRP-1, hexarelin GHRP-2, GHRP-5, and GHRP-6)
All these peptides, when ingested, trigger the production and the release of the human growth hormone, even though they might use different processes. The manufacturers will promote each category of the GHS peptides to suit slightly different purposes. It’s key to remember that nonspecific studies show the effect of GHS on bodybuilders.
Safety of the GHS Peptides
Based on the existing research studies, the side effects of using GHS for the short or long term remain unknown. Scientists are still investigating the possible side effects of using the GHS peptides for the short or long term. Some of the common side effects which users of the GHS peptide have reported include the following:
- Increased appetite,
- Fluid retention
- Higher blood sugar levels
- Reduced body sensitivity to the insulin hormone
When taking through injection and participants fail to sterilize the injections, they are at a higher risk of getting contaminated. Even though GHS remains on the list of banned substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the FDA has approved a bunch of GHS peptides. You can easily purchase a GHS peptide without a prescription. Taking the necessary precautions when using the GHS peptides for bodybuilding is critical.
Many supplement companies promote peptides by stating they can trigger faster fat loss, enhance strength and performance, and develop lean muscle. Even though there are no intense research studies to back these claims, many bodybuilders still use the peptides. No research studies show the effect of using GHS peptides by bodybuilders. The GHS peptide is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for professional players, with its long-term use effects remaining unknown. However, the FDA has approved the use of GHS peptides in treating specific ailments.
To achieve lean muscle gains and lose fat, picking the best supplement is very important. Even though many users of GHS peptides claim the research compound is very effective, taking the necessary precautions is essential.
