You may have heard that the human growth hormone, or HGH, can change your personality. Is there any truth to this claim? We explore the research to find out.
Human growth hormone, also known as HGH, is a type of peptide hormone that promotes growth as well as cell reproduction and cell regeneration in humans. Deficiencies in human growth hormone (HGH) can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and abnormalities in the pituitary gland.
Replacement therapy, which consists of regular injections of HGH, is the conventional treatment option for people who have been diagnosed with a valid case of GH deficiency. On the other hand, there are those who take HGH in supplement form for reasons that are not medically related.
So, does HGH change your personality?
Let’s take a look at what the research says.
A 2007 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that participants who were administered growth hormone exhibited increased feelings of well-being and decreased sensitivity to social stressors compared to those who did not receive GH treatment. The researchers concluded that “growth hormone administration might constitute a new approach for the treatment of psychological disorders characterized by altered dopaminergic neurotransmission.”
To put it another way, HGH is capable of repairing dopamine abnormalities in the brain, which would make it possible to use it as a potential treatment for a variety of mental illnesses. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is widely believed to have a vital role in the process of controlling an individual’s mood. As a consequence of this, it is reasonable to assume that sustaining an adequate level of dopamine would result in modifications to both one’s disposition and one’s personality.
Not all research on HGH and personality changes has been so positive, however. A 2009 study published in JAMA found that men who were administered HGH experienced no changes in quality of life measures or personality traits compared to those who received placebo injections. The study authors did not find any evidence to support claims that HGH supplements, lead to improvements in mood or well-being in healthy older adults.
So what does this all mean?
The research on whether HGH affects personality is mixed; there’s some evidence to suggest it does and some evidence to suggest it doesn’t. It’s possible that individual differences play a role here; some people may be more susceptible than others to experiencing changes in personality when taking HGH. If you’re considering taking HGH supplements, speak with a healthcare professional first to get their expert opinion on whether this is right for you.
Conclusion:
The research on whether human growth hormone (HGH) impacts personality has produced contradictory results; there is some evidence to imply that it does, and there is other data to show that it does not. It’s likely that individual differences play a part in this situation; it’s probable that some people are more vulnerable than others to experiencing changes in personality when they use HGH. Before making any choices about the use of HGH supplements, you should first discuss the possibility of doing so with a qualified medical practitioner.