Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone that the body naturally produces (mainly from the pituitary gland) and that can also be prescribed as recombinant somatropin for specific medical indications (for example, confirmed growth hormone deficiency). HGH’s most well-known downstream effect is increasing IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which helps regulate growth, tissue repair, metabolism, and aspects of muscle and connective-tissue maintenance. Because of this, HGH is sometimes discussed online in “recovery” or “anti-aging” contexts for energy, body composition, sleep, or resilience—though those off-label uses carry meaningful risks and require medical oversight.
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This page summarizes anecdotal reports and community observations, not medical evidence. Reports may be incomplete, biased or inaccurate and are not medical advice or recommendations. “Risk” here refers to how frequently severe or prolonged symptom worsening is reported, not to proven causation or population-wide probability. Individual responses vary widely, and absence of issues in some users does not rule out significant reactions in others.
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Within PFS/PSSD/PAS communities, HGH/IGF-1 is discussed in relation to its potential interactions with IGF-1 signaling pathways and androgen receptor cross-talk. HGH's most well-known downstream effect is increasing IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which helps regulate growth, tissue repair, metabolism, and aspects of muscle and connective-tissue maintenance. Mechanistically, the IGF-1/IGF-1R axis can interact with androgen receptor (AR) signaling in cell models, and published literature (especially in prostate biology) describes cross-talk where IGF signaling can modulate AR activity and androgen-regulated gene expression. This does not mean HGH "fixes AR," but it's one reason some people speculate HGH/IGF-1 could intersect with pathways discussed in these syndromes (AR signaling, cellular stress/inflammation pathways, and neurobiology downstream of growth-factor signaling). These mechanisms may interact with pathways involving IGF-1 signaling, androgen receptor activity, or cellular stress/inflammation that are often discussed in relation to PFS / PSSD / PAS.
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Mixed Responses With High-Complexity and Side-Effect Risks (for PFS/PSSD/PAS):
Among individuals with PFS, PSSD, or PAS, human growth hormone (HGH) is described in community reports as producing mixed and uncertain outcomes. A minority of users report improvements such as increased energy, better recovery, improved sleep, or a greater sense of physical resilience, while many report little to no meaningful change. Some individuals report feeling worse, typically due to side effects rather than clear syndrome-level worsening, and reports are often confounded by simultaneous changes such as diet, training, other hormones, time, or trigger avoidance.
The primary concern with HGH is not frequent reports of lasting worsening, but rather its complexity and side-effect burden, even when used in legitimate medical contexts. Commonly cited issues include fluid retention, joint or muscle pain, nerve compression symptoms, and worsened glucose tolerance, all of which are dose-sensitive and require monitoring. While IGF-1 signaling has documented interactions with androgen receptor pathways in experimental systems, this mechanistic overlap has not translated into consistent or reproducible improvement in PFS, PSSD, or PAS. As a result, HGH is generally viewed within the community as a high-complexity, clinician-supervised intervention with uncertain upside, rather than a low-risk or commonly pursued option.
Evidence basis: community anecdotes and self-reports; general endocrinology and IGF-1/androgen receptor literature. No controlled studies specific to PFS, PSSD, or PAS.
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Public comments reflect individual experiences and opinions. They are not medical advice and may not be accurate or representative.