HGH
Human growth hormone
Example
Have you heard about that new documentary on athletes and HGH?
Yeah, I watched it last night. Wild how many pros were using HGH to speed up recovery—didn’t realize how common it was
I know, right? It makes you wonder where the line is between legit medical use and performance enhancement
Exactly. Some of those guys had prescriptions, but others were definitely pushing it as a PED
Can you survive our Dungeons & Dragons slang quiz?
HGH is a naturally occurring hormone that the pituitary gland produces to help regulate growth, metabolism, and muscle development. The term became widely known in the 1980s and 1990s as synthetic HGH was developed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific uses. You will see and hear it in scientific and medical-related discussions and sports conversations about athletes who use it.
Medically, professionals may use HGH to treat growth hormone deficiencies in children and adults. Doctors may also prescribe it for conditions like muscle-wasting associated with HIV/AIDS or short bowel syndrome.
Outside of approved medical treatments, HGH gained popularity—sometimes controversially—as a performance-enhancing drug (PED) among athletes and bodybuilders looking to boost muscle mass, reduce body fat, and recover faster. Its use in sports has led to ongoing debates about fairness, legality, and health risks, and most major sports organizations ban non-prescription HGH use.