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Comparative Study
. 2011 Jan-Feb;20(1):9-13.
doi: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00093.x. Epub 2010 Nov 12.

Human growth hormone abuse in male weightlifters

Brian P Brennan  1 , Gen Kanayama, James I Hudson, Harrison G Pope Jr
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Human growth hormone abuse in male weightlifters

Brian P Brennan et al. Am J Addict. 2011 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

In a study of performance-enhancing substance use among 231 experienced young male weightlifters, we found that 27 (12%) reported illicit use of human growth hormone (HGH) or its bioactive derivative, insulin-like growth factor-1. All of these 27 men also reported use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and 22 (81%) met criteria for current or past AAS dependence. Fifteen (56%) also reported current or past dependence on opioids, cocaine, and/or ecstasy. These findings suggest that among young male weightlifters, illicit HGH use has become a common form of substance abuse, frequently associated with both AAS dependence and classical substance dependence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

Dr. Brennan has received research grant support from Eli Lilly. Dr. Hudson has received research grant support from Eli Lilly, Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, and Forest Laboratories, and has been a consultant for Eli Lilly and Pfizer. Dr. Pope has received research grant support from Solvay Pharmaceuticals and has provided expert testimony in several legal cases involving the related issue of anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse. Dr. Kanayama declares no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and content of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association between anabolic-androgenic steroid use, anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence, and human growth hormone use in 231 young male weightlifters.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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