Illicit Uses of HGH
Human growth hormone is illicitly used as an anti-aging agent for aging adults, to improve athletic performance, and for bodybuilding purposes.
1) It is marketed, distributed, and illegally prescribed off-label to aging adults to replenish declining hGH levels and reverse age-related bodily deterioration.
2) It is also abused for its ability to alter body composition by reducing body fat and increasing skeletal muscle mass.
3) It is often used in combination with other performance enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids.
4) Athletes also use it to improve their athletic performance, although the ability of hGH to increase athletic performance is debatable.
Abuser Population:
Athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults are the primary abusers of hGH. Because the illicit use of synthetic hGH is difficult to detect, its use in sports is believed to be widespread.
Over the past few years, numerous professional athletes have admitted to using hGH. Bodybuilders, as well as celebrities, also purportedly use it for its ability to alter body composition. Aging adults looking to reverse the effects of aging are increasingly using synthetic hGH.
Human Growth Hormone (hGH
Trade Names: Genotropin ®, Humatrope ®, Norditropin ®, Nutropin ®, Saizen ®, Serostim ®
References:
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Diversion Control
August 2007
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/hgh.htm
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