Is HGH a steroid and how to stack it with steroids
Some people use performance-enhancing drugs in an attempt to build lean muscles. Their advantages and disadvantages differ and most of those willing to bulk up with the help of such drugs wonder whether the steroids and GH are different things or not and whether any of them can be used together with other enhancers.
Is HGH a steroid?
To cut a long story short, no, it isn’t.
HGH, also known as somatotropin, is a hormone secreted by anterior pituitary. Steroid hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex, ovaries and testes, what makes them completely different both in terms of their structure and effect. Of course, one couldn’t deny they have something in common: one of the functions of HGH seems to cross that line. However, saying “HGH steroid” makes absolutely no sense.
The main point is that combining them may be very beneficial for athletes.
What HGH and steroids do
HGH doesn’t only literally burn fat, it also helps to build muscle, meaning that these processes are rolled into one. HGH dissolves fat deposits and uses them as a source of energy, thus enabling weight loss. Interestingly, you will lose belly fat faster than any other type of fat.
IGF-1, also called somatomedin C, is produced primarily by the liver through the conversion of HGH. It helps the bodybuilders to build muscle because it fastens protein synthesis, as well as to boost endurance.
Given that these two processes are concurrent, HGH helps to get a shredded look and to build muscles at once.
Apart from being used by the bodybuilders, one more thing the steroids share with HGH is binding to the receptors, but the most important thing is that those will be different receptors producing different results. The steroids can impact the supply and production of certain chemicals in the brain, affect the skin, influence cellular functioning, as well as your behavior and etc. They improve muscle size and physical performance, increase strength and endurance.
The main differences
Specific receptors to bind to. Namely, HGH binds to somatropin receptors, IGF-1 interacts with insulin receptors, while steroids act via androgenic receptors. Obviously, the effects will be different, but they may be combined.
Steroids tend to be more efficient for gaining muscle mass. The athletes still prefer steroids for bulking up. However, HGH has been gradually gaining popularity among bodybuilders, too.
HGH burns fat more effectively. Some steroids, such as Winstrol, Anavar and Oxymetholone, have good fat burning properties, too, but HGH deals with fat better anyway.
Difference in the severity of adverse effects. You can’t avoid side effects, but you can choose a less harmful option. In fact, HGH provokes only temporary side effects, they will disappear once the course is over. Steroids tend to cause much more severe side effects (libido issues, balding and etc.). Also, using steroids causes low levels of natural testosterone, while getting HGH injections doesn’t reduce natural HGH levels.
The cost & availability issue. Manufacturing steroids tend to be less difficult and expensive than manufacturing HGH, not to mention that the black market is full of smuggled and counterfeit steroid drugs what makes it easier for the final user to obtain them. Also, counterfeit HGH is more expensive. All these factors together heavily contribute to the popularity of steroids.
HGH or steroids?
Focus on the desired result to make a right choice.
HGH is a great option to kill two birds with one stone, meaning that cutting and bulking up don’t have to be different stages anymore. But don’t expect the results to be way too impressive in this case. On the other hand, the result will last for a long time and won’t fade away once the course is over. But if the deadline is tight or you are willing to bulk up rapidly (that would be a couple of months), you are doomed to lean towards steroids. The third method is using the two types of drugs, thus doubling your benefits.
Combining steroids with HGH
Administration of HGH together with steroids has the following advantages:
The synergy effect. Remember about the difference in receptors? This makes them influence your muscles in different ways. Thus, this is a win-win solution because you’ll benefit from the advantages that the two drugs bring.
Reducing side effects. Taking both steroids & HGH gives you an opportunity to lower dosages: there’s no need in high dosages anymore. HGH helps you to reduce testosterone dosage from 750 mg to 500 mg. Besides, HGH helps to get rid of acne that is likely to be provoked by using steroids.
Test cycle:
An easy option. Choose long esters: cypionate, enanthate or Sustanon.
The proportion should be 1/100, let’s say, HGH (5 IU/day) + test-C (500 mg). Choose the dosage basing on your experience.
Get 2 HGH injections every day. Get the first one in the morning and the next one in 6-8 hrs before sleeping.
More options
In general, there’re two types of combinations: those for building muscle (HGH helps to build shredded muscles) and those for cutting (HGH speeds up fat burn).
Testosterone, Deca, Dbol, or Trenbolone are the options for the bulking up cycle.
Test E (500 mg) + Deca (500 mg) + Dbol (30 mg) + HGH (5-7 IUs).
Fat burning drugs such as Winstrol, Anavar or Trenbolone are good for the cutting cycle. If a good fat burning effect is still required, take more HGH when the cycle isn’t long enough.
Winstrol/Anavar (50 mg/day) + Trenbolon E (200-300 mg/week) + HGH (10-15 IUs).