With the advent of peptides on the sports market, it seemed that they could even replace anabolic steroids. But the passion around these drugs subsided and they just took their niche in the “chemical” arsenal of athletes.
How peptides are used to gain muscle mass and what other processes they affect, we will talk about it further below.
History of Peptides in Bodybuilding
In the early 2000s, articles about a new class of hormonal drugs, peptides, began to appear in bodybuilding publications.
Scientists turned their attention to insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). And later found other peptides with positive properties.
Their use in bodybuilding promised the following effects:
- Acceleration of muscle tissue synthesis
- Improving the regeneration of ligaments and tendons after power loads
- Acceleration of fat burning
That is, everything that anabolic steroids do, but without the side effects.
After such impressive results of scientific studies and statements by scientists, bodybuilders have been looking forward to the appearance of these drugs on the market. But in practice, it turned out that the effectiveness of peptides is still lower than that of steroids.
Yes, and talk about harmlessness turned out to be false.
Like all drugs that affect the hormonal system, they have side effects. True, not as pronounced as after taking anabolic steroids.
As a result, peptides have settled in bodybuilding and power sports (powerlifting, weightlifting, strongmen) not as the main thing, but as an additional tool that helps speed up the solution of training problems.
Well, anabolic steroids once again defended the right to be called the most working tool for gaining muscle mass and strength.
Types of Peptides
Peptides are amino acid chains of various lengths.
In medicine, two polypeptide hormones have been used for decades – insulin and somatotropin (growth hormone).
Insulin has 51 amino acid residues, while growth hormone has 191.
They revolutionized professional bodybuilding. Thanks to their combined use in the early 90s of the last century, a new era began in the standard of muscle mass among professional bodybuilders.
Until today, insulin and growth hormone are the basis for training professionals. Naturally, along with anabolic steroids.
However, sports scientists have already synthesized a large number of other varieties that are also used in bodybuilding.
The difference between peptides and their “big brothers” polypeptides is small.
The most important thing is the length of the amino acid chains. They are very short (compared to polypeptides) and contain from 5-10 to 20 amino acids.
As a result, biologically active substances are obtained, which have only some of the properties inherent in polypeptides. Each peptide is, as it were, a fragment of a more complex polypeptide.
Among the main peptides, we note:
1. Ghrelin Group (GHRP)
Helps dramatically increase the peak of growth hormone in the blood.
2. Growth Hormone Releasing Group (GHRH)
They increase the production of growth hormone in waves, without disturbing its natural ups and downs.
3. Fragments of Growth Hormone
They act as fat burners.
All of the above substances have different properties of growth hormone, stimulating its increased production.
But there are peptides with other qualities:
- Melanotan – improves tanning and increases sex drive
- Gonadorelin – helps increase the production of testosterone (a male sex hormone that triggers muscle synthesis)
- TV 500 – accelerates the recovery of ligaments and tendons
- Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)
- Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
- Mechanical Growth Factor (MGF)
Theoretically, the list can be continued for a long time, because today we know about several thousand of these substances.
But in bodybuilding, those listed above have found the greatest use. It is possible that the list will be constantly expanded because research is still ongoing.
Effect on the body
Like all pharmacological drugs, peptides have both pros and cons.
Positive and negative properties
These substances are involved in all metabolic processes. Therefore, it makes no sense to list all the positive properties. Name any function of the body and you will not be mistaken – peptides will definitely be present there.
From the point of view of the application in bodybuilding, we note the following advantages:
- Increase in muscle mass
- Strengthening ligaments and tendons
- Appetite increase
- Suppression of the production of cortisol (a hormone that breaks down muscle tissue)
- Participates in the synthesis of testosterone (the hormone responsible for muscle growth)
- Fat burning effect
- Cheaper than growth hormone
- Fewer side effects
It should be said right away that one peptide is responsible for only one or two of the listed functions. Hence the minus – a narrowly focused action. To get all the positive properties, you need to apply several types at once.
Another disadvantage is the quality of the drugs. Almost all peptides are produced in the form of dietary supplements (BAA). Here, product quality control is low or non-existent.
Today this is the main problem because it turns out that the majority take these drugs at their own peril and risk.
There are also difficulties in storage and application. This is a capricious drug when it comes to injectable forms.
To get the maximum benefit from taking, follow all the rules, from dilution of the drug to the protocol of administration (for example, daily injections, or even 2-3 times a day).
The method of administration is mainly injectable. Even with an insulin syringe (injections are painless), for many, this is a strong deterrent.
Possible side effects
Peptides are considered to be a safe and cheap alternative to growth hormones. However, there are very few serious scientific studies on the adverse reactions of these substances. So, it’s too early to say anything for certain.
The practice of using peptides shows that there are still negative manifestations. But all of them are minor and completely reversible at the end of the application.
The most common side effects:
- Redness and itching of the skin at the injection site
- Allergic reactions
- Mild nausea
- Rarely – severe fluid retention in the body and the associated increase in blood pressure
Peptides do not suppress the production of their own testosterone, as happens when taking anabolic steroids.
On the contrary, they are often recommended to be taken at the end of the steroid cycle in order to help the body restore the level of the male hormone faster.
Nevertheless, there is an opinion that the prolonged use of species that stimulate the production of growth hormone may adversely affect its further own production.
Information about the negative consequences of the reception comes from the users themselves, posted on the Internet and thus forming a database.
But in general, there is still very little information on this issue. And, probably, it will take more than one decade until a common clear picture emerges.
Application
As in the case of side effects, the regimen has not yet been formed. Therefore, each manufacturer indicates their dosages and cycle times.
All recommendations are based on the theoretical part of the known information and it is often necessary to select the regimen individually.
If you decide to take peptides, start with the minimum recommended dosage and frequency of injections. In the absence of the desired result, gradually go to the maximum recommended.
In any case, it is impossible to exceed the upper dosage limits for at least two reasons – firstly, it will turn out to be quite expensive, and secondly, no one knows exactly what this will lead to.
How to store
If you use a more effective injection form, follow the rules for storage so that the drug does not lose its working properties.
Recommendations for dilution and storage are similar to the preparation of growth hormone.
It is desirable to use bacteriostatic water to dissolve the peptides. In this case, they are stored for 3-5 days more than in the case of using plain water for injection.
The diluted solution is stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 4-8°C. It is better to use it within 2-3 days, although storage is allowed up to 5-7 days.
A sealed ampoule with peptides in powder form can be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2-4°C for 1-2 months. Do not expose to direct sunlight and carefully monitor the tightness of the packaging so that air does not penetrate into it.
Remarks from scientists
Like everything new and little studied, peptides in the scientific community received an ambiguous assessment.
Their adherents assure that these drugs have a great future. They are already used in many fields, ranging from medicine and cosmetology to gerontology – the science of aging and the fight against it. And also in professional sports and bodybuilding in particular.
Nevertheless, more conservative scientists are skeptical about the use of peptides, putting forward arguments about the low efficiency, and hence the expediency of taking it.
Only one thing is clear – the use of peptides has certain advantages and prospects. But the accumulated practical experience is still not enough.
Legislation
Peptides are a new direction in science and sports. So there is still a lot of confusion here.
A number of peptides have been equated with dietary supplements that are easy to buy and legally consume.
They are found in the latest generation of sports nutrition supplements in tablet, capsule, or liquid form.
Other peptides are considered drugs (IGF-1, MGF, SARM). And WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) equated these and other similar drugs to the class of doping. And this imposes a complete ban on their use.
In practice, in professional sports, and especially in bodybuilding, these prohibitions are ignored, because these substances cannot be detected in doping controls.
In professional sports, the use of peptides and polypeptides (growth hormone, insulin) is gradually replacing the use of steroids. Even despite the fact that the anabolic effect of the former is lower.
But in professional bodybuilding, the basis for gaining extreme muscle mass remains unchanged.
This is still the “golden three” – anabolic steroids, growth hormone and insulin.
Peptides are also used, but more as an aid to muscle growth or fat loss.
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