Stimulation of slow-wave sleep and growth hormone secretion by gamma-hydroxybutyrate

[Big Johnson]

From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9239423&dopt=Abstract

Simultaneous stimulation of slow-wave sleep and growth hormone secretion by gamma-hydroxybutyrate in normal young Men.

Van Cauter E, Plat L, Scharf MB, Leproult R, Cespedes S, L'Hermite-Baleriaux M, Copinschi G.

Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. [email protected]

The aim of this study was to investigate, in normal young men, whether gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a reliable stimulant of slow-wave (SW) sleep in normal subjects, would simultaneously enhance sleep related growth hormone (GH) secretion. Eight healthy young men participated each in four experiments involving bedtime oral administration of placebo, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 g of GHB. Polygraphic sleep recordings were performed every night, and blood samples were obtained at 15-min intervals from 2000 to 0800. GHB effects were mainly observed during the first 2 h after sleep onset. There was a doubling of GH secretion, resulting from an increase of the amplitude and the duration of the first GH pulse after sleep onset. This stimulation of GH secretion was significantly correlated to a simultaneous increase in the amount of sleep stage IV. Abrupt but transient elevations of prolactin and cortisol were also observed, but did not appear to be associated with the concomitant stimulation of SW sleep. Thyrotropin and melatonin profiles were not altered by GHB administration. These data suggest that pharmacological agents that reliably stimulate SW sleep, such as GHB, may represent a novel class of powerful GH secretagogues.

PMID: 9239423 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[21inch_arms]

This is a great report but I would like to know more about the effect GHB has on Cortisol and Prolactin. Cortisol being my current Nemesis.

 

[TraxZBT]

Doesn't GHB also raise prolactin to the point that it cancels each other out... the GH counteracts with the prolactin leaving it to be not that beneficial for muscle building? Just what i read somewhere.. can anyone clear this up?

 

[Big Johnson]

Effects on growth hormone response to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid

From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8748046&dopt=Abstract

Naloxone and metergoline effects on growth hormone response to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid.

Gerra G, Caccavari R, Fontanesi B, Fertonani Affini G, Maestri D, Avanzini P, Zaimovic A, Franchini D, Delsignore R.

Centro Studi Farmacotossicodipendenze, SER.T.A.USL, Parma, Italy.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) has been recently used in alcohol detoxification, but conflicting data are available concerning the central mechanism of action of this GABA catabolite. GHB ability to stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion has been reported. Our previous studies revealed the ability of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) to counteract GHB effects on GH secretion. Other hypotheses, including an opioid or serotonergic role of GHB, have been considered. In the present study we investigated GH responses to GHB with or without naloxone (an opiate receptor antagonist) or metergoline (a serotonin receptor antagonist) pretreatment. This study included 10 male healthy volunteers (aged 24.3 +/- 2.9 years) who were submitted to four tests in random order: (A) oral GHB administration; (B) oral GHB and i.v. naloxone administration; (C) oral GHB and oral metergoline administration; and (D) oral placebo and i.v. saline administration. Blood samples for GH assay were collected during the three tests at -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min. GHB induced a significant increase in GH plasma levels; naloxone pretreatment did not antagonize GHB action on GH secretion; metergoline significantly decreased GH response to GHB (p < 0.05). No changes were obtained with placebo and saline administration. The opioid system does not seem to be involved in GHB effects on GH-secreting pituitary cells; GHB effects on the serotonergic system influencing GH secretion, on the other hand, cannot be excluded.

Publication Types:
Clinical trial
Randomized controlled trial

PMID: 8748046 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[Big Johnson]

Doesn't GHB also raise prolactin to the point that it cancels each other out... the GH counteracts with the prolactin leaving it to be not that beneficial for muscle building? Just what i read somewhere.. can anyone clear this up?

There is some confusion about this, but using G for recreational purposes may actually help you get cut.

Also, using G while on a heavy dose of androgens will produce only minimal levels of cortisol as normal cortisol production is suppressed.

Prolactin supression, from the studies I have read, does nothing but lower overall androgen production within the body. I have yet to find a study that indicates prolactin as a contributing factor in reduced anabolic activity. Where did you read this?

 

[21inch_arms]

Prolactin is a single-chain protein hormone closely related to growth hormone. It is secreted by so-called lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary


http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/hypopit/prolactin.html

 

[21inch_arms]

Couldn't help my self

 

[Big Johnson]

This is interesting:

Control of Prolactin Secretion
In contrast to what is seen with all the other pituitary hormones, the hypothalamus tonically suppresses prolactin secretion from the pituitary. In other words, there is usually a hypothalamic "brake" set on the lactotroph, and prolactin is secreted only when the brake is released. If the pituitary stalk is cut, prolactin secretion increases, while secretion of all the other pituitary hormones fall dramatically due to loss of hypothalamic releasing hormones.

Dopamine serves as the major prolactin-inhibiting factor or brake on prolactin secretion. Dopamine is secreted into portal blood by hypothalamic neurons, binds to receptors on lactotrophs, and inhibits both the synthesis and secretion of prolactin. Agents and drugs that interfere with dopamine secretion or receptor binding lead to enhanced secretion of prolactin.

In addition to tonic inhibition by dopamine, prolactin secretion is positively regulated by several hormones, including thyroid-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Stimulation of the nipples and mammary gland, as occurs during nursing, leads to prolactin release. This effect appears to be due to a spinal reflex arc that causes release of prolactin-stimulating hormones from the hypothalamus.

Estrogens provide a well-studied positive control over prolactin synthesis and secretion, and increasing blood concentrations of estrogen during late pregnancy appear responsible for the elevated levels of prolactin that are necessary to prepare the mammary gland for lactation at the end of gestation.

It appears that:

A. Prolactin is released due to dopamine suppression by GHB.

B. This release is temporary, being countered and repressed by the surge of dopamine occuring in hour four after GHB intake.

C. Estrogen increases prolactin release.

It appears the recreational user is safe as long as excess estrogen isn't already present within the body, though fluctuating levels of many hormones seem to be caused. The question is, are the amounts significant enough to make a difference? I know from experience that GHB makes you leaner. Anyone else care to chip in?

 

[bigrand]

BUMP!

I eat this shit up.

 

[Bozzo]

I would agree that it helps when your dieting and trying to lean out. But I haven't found it useful when it comes to adding size. But eveyone is different, and may get different results. Just like with any thing else you take.

 

[Nathan]

Interesting and highly relevant studies as always Big J.

 

[diamonddiceclay]

what would ghb do for someone on nothing else? How hard is it to get compared to steroids?

 

[dawookie]

Bump.. has anyone noticed effects besides the intoxication and better sleep??

Is there a valid bodybuilding purpose for ghb? increased gh??

 

[jboldman]

I have noticed a leaning out effect while using ghb for sleep. It may be a tool to help with diet as long as you can control it, do not abuse it and end up in detox or the hospital.

 

[diamonddiceclay]

Bump.. has anyone noticed effects besides the intoxication and better sleep??

Is there a valid bodybuilding purpose for ghb? increased gh??

yes to your last 2 questions

 

[Big Johnson]

Its nice to see someone using the search feature

GHB isn't hard on the body at all, though it can be very addictive. I love the shit and have to monitor my intake sometimes, especially when I feel like partying.

The biggest problem I'm seeing now is B L O A T. Now, some people like getting painful pumps, but I'd rather fit into the clothes I bought two weeks ago! I'm hoping arimidex will help.

As to the prolactin suppression, I'm still inclined to believe the effects are minimal, but I plan on experimenting with some bromokryptonite soon. I'll let you know.

 

[dawookie]

Thanks for the input...

I bought Renewtrient a few years ago 1 wk before it was taken off the shelves.. I liked it, but knocked the bottle over when I was messed up and spilled it all over the floor (the carpet smelled nasty after that)... I didnt get to try a whole bottle to see if i noticed any effects..

 

[SOLID]

Now BigJ>

Can you put this info into lambent or (lame-men) terms? I just wanna know if it's ok to be taking cause I use this shit religously.- Thanks bro. Anyone else feel me or do I need to go back to school?

 

[Trevdog]

I started a thread a few months ago about the possibility of taking bromocriptine before or with GHB. Bromocriptine destroys prolactin and has other benefits. The point is that combining the two could result in substantial fat burning and perhaps some anabolism.

Fonz does this and somebody else was going to try.

 

[dawookie]

Re: Now BigJ>

Can you put this info into lambent or (lame-men) terms? I just wanna know if it's ok to be taking cause I use this shit religously.- Thanks bro. Anyone else feel me or do I need to go back to school?

I got lost in the scientific info too.. Your best bet is to take it easy w./ it and watch your intake.. Ive seen a bunch of people (mostly chicks) in clubs OG and have to get taken away in an ambulance.. Ive also had a friend OG but he puked and slept it off for a few hours.. From what I heard, if you goto a hospital OGing they let you lay there until its out of your system..

Dawookie.

 

[jboldman]

This has been oft discussed in the past, sounds like a good idea but I among others who have used it for this purpose have had very BAD experiences, catastrophic loss of blood pressure, passing out, etc. I would highly recommend against using bromocriptin with ghb!

I started a thread a few months ago about the possibility of taking bromocriptine before or with GHB. Bromocriptine destroys prolactin and has other benefits. The point is that combining the two could result in substantial fat burning and perhaps some anabolism.

Fonz does this and somebody else was going to try.

 

[Italianboy]

I've read in a Di Pasquale's book taht Galanine can triplicate the effects of GHB+Bromocriptine sinergy.Anyone?

 

[HardasRock]

I notice that everytime I got out and party and take ghb, the next morning when I wake up I feel really pumped and actually visibly leaner. I feel like I just went to the gym. Also when I'm out at the club after about 2 hrs on Ghb I get a huge pump as well. My theory is that the pump may come from the Sodium Hydroxide in the GHB providing your G was made with sodium and not potassium. As for the pump and leaness in the morning, I truly belive it's from GH release because after I get up and go to the gym my workouts are awesome. Fuck I love this stuff.