The use of growth hormone (GH) in an injectable form for the purpose of building solid muscle mass is irrelevant, according to a dissertation from the Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University in Sweden.

Growth hormone does not offer benefits on the same lines as anabolic steroids, which are used by sportsmen for enhancing performance and building muscle mass. It was noted that the use of growth hormone may even lead to health complications such as damage to the heart and blood vessels.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Many of those who abuse anabolic steroids regard growth hormone as the Rolls Royce of doping agents: it is significantly more expensive to use than anabolic steroids. There is, however, no scientific evidence that it increases performance when used alone as a doping agent”, says Dr. Christer Ehrnborg.

Christer Ehrnborg has studied 30 well-trained people living in Göteborg. Twenty of these injected large doses of growth hormone each day for a month, while the other 10 believed that they also were receiving growth hormone but received injections of harmless saline solution instead. Tests of the participants’ physical performance on an exercise cycle showed that the participants receiving growth hormone did not perform better than those receiving saline solution.

“It has been a matter of controversy whether growth hormone actually causes an effect or whether it is a matter involving mass psychology. Both our study and studies carried out by others suggest that taking growth hormone will not make you a better athlete”, says Christer Ehrnborg.

Christer Ehrnborg, who was involved in this dissertation, said that some sportsmen may sense a sudden change in the body (perceived as benefit) after using GH but there is no benefit such as increased muscle mass of GH.