Human growth hormone is a chemical implicated in childhood growth – but that is not its only role in the human body. The connection between HGH and brain function is one to take seriously, as growth hormone is vital for behavior, emotions, memory, learning, and many other cognitive functions.
The brain is divided into three sections:
- Forebrain – the largest, most developed area containing the cerebrum which houses the hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, and basal ganglia nerve clusters surrounding the thalamus. The right hemisphere of the cerebrum controls actions on the body’s left side and the left hemisphere controls right side actions.
- Midbrain – this area of the brain includes the tectum and tegmentum and regulates voluntary movement, reflex actions, and certain aspects of eye movement.
- Hindbrain – included here are the brain stem, cerebellum, and upper spinal cord. The hindbrain influences heart rate, respiration, and movement.
A healthy brain is free from damage and receives a plentiful supply of vital chemical messengers (hormones) that keep it running properly. HGH receptor cells can be found throughout the many areas of the brain.
Some of the HGH brain function processes include:
- The Cerebrum: consists of four distinct lobes (sections)
- Frontal Lobe:SpeechReasoningProblem-solvingConcentration Behavior EmotionsPersonality Judgment
- Parietal Lobe:Interpreting sensory, visual, motor, and hearing signals MovementSpatial and visual orientationRecognitionReading and writing – language and word interpretation
- Temporal Lobe:MemorySpeechPerceptionComprehensionSequencing
- Occipital Lobe:VisionVisual processingInterpretation of movement, light, and color
The cerebrum is also home to the Limbic System, which includes:
- Amygdala in the temporal lobe that regulates emotion, fear, and memory.
- Hippocampus in the temporal lobe that influences learning, mental alertness, moving short-term memory into long-term status, and recalling spatial relationships.
- Hypothalamus located ventral to the thalamus that produces essential hormones that trigger additional hormone production in the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus is crucial for managing homeostasis, circadian rhythms, hunger, thirst, and regulating the autonomic nervous system.
- Thalamus in the forebrain that receives transmitted signals of sensory information via the axons and neurons.
Other HGH brain receptor cells have the following influence on daily activities:
- Choroid Plexus – growth hormone receptors in this area transport HGH across the blood-brain barrier through capillaries that allow HGH to pass through the bloodstream between the brain and spinal cord.
- Spinal Cord – transmits the brain’s neural signals to the body. The spinal cord also controls certain reflexes.
*The brain is home to an abundant supply of HGH receptor cells that require human growth hormone to stimulate their actions.
Benefits of HGH Following
a Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impact a person in many ways. Depending on the area and severity of damage, movement, memory, speech, sight, hearing, learning, and quality of life may suffer. Research into HGH and brain injury have already turned up many interesting observations, with many more on the way in current ongoing studies.
Does HGH improve brain function following a TBI?
For individuals dealing with traumatic brain injury, it is necessary to check their hormone levels. As many as 20 percent of all TBI victims may have growth hormone deficiency. If so, then receipt of HGH therapy often improves spatial orientation, cognition, recall, fatigue, and quality of life. Another benefit of HGH treatment is that it helps to lower cortisol levels which can adversely impact brain functions. When cortisol is elevated, HGH production declines.
One area currently under review is that of NFL players and brain trauma caused by repeated blunt impact. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was found in 87 percent of 202 football players’ donated brains. From NFL athletes, of the 111 donated brains, only one did not have CTE. Patients with CTE may suffer from depression, dementia, and memory loss. Until research is done using HGH therapy to treat the symptoms of CTE, we will not know for certain if there is a benefit. However, since recombinant HGH injections have shown great promise for other types of brain injury, there may be significant benefits for using HGH and brain function improvement.
Many of the same changes seen in people with TBI are similar to those of individuals who experience impaired brain functions due to opioid abuse. A study out of Sweden showed that HGH therapy salvages the brain cells that have been targeted for apoptosis – early cellular death. Growth hormone increases neurogenesis – the ability of new brain cell growth which is vital for improving attention span and memory.
HGH has been shown to improve specific brain functions at places like KM Clinic in growth hormone deficient adults suffering from TBI or opioid abuse.
HGH Benefits for
Neurodegenerative Conditions
Scientists have identified more than 600 different types of neurological disorders and diseases, including:
- Cerebrovascular diseases
- Convulsive disorders
- Degenerative diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Metabolic diseases
- Neurogenetic diseases
- And more
Are there HGH brain benefits for adults suffering from any types of neurodegenerative conditions?
One vital aspect of growth hormone is its neuroprotective nature. Its profound influence on the CNS (central nervous system) begins with the proliferation of neural stem cells. HGH increases the number of myelin sheath cells that protect the CNS from damage. Growth hormone also helps to renew dendritic connections between neurons for improved signal passing and communication in the brain. HGH also aids in the repair of damaged axons and helps remove free radicals that are implicated in cellular apoptosis (death).
These benefits of HGH and brain function hold promise for patients dealing with conditions such as ALS, MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. HGH may be able to help slow disease progression, and possible help reverse some of the degeneration to upper and lower motor neurons associated with ALS disease. Preliminary studies into these conditions and the use of HGH has already turned up some promising results.
HGH therapy may have neuroprotective benefits for many neurodegenerative conditions.
How Does a Brain Tumor Impact HGH Levels?
Next, we examine the connection between HGH, brain tumors, and growth hormone deficiency symptoms. A tumor in either the hypothalamus or pituitary gland can impact growth hormone secretion. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, HGH production can decrease or increase. A reduction in growth hormone secretion can lead to the many symptoms of HGH deficiency, including fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, depression, impaired health, and premature signs of physical aging. Too much HGH production may cause acromegaly and heart and internal organ overgrowth that can cause other problems.
Surgical removal of a brain tumor or radiation treatment can alter the levels of HGH and brain function abilities. If that occurs, and growth hormone levels decline, then HGH therapy can help improve overall brain functions.
*A brain tumor can decrease or increase HGH levels drastically. HGH therapy can help increase growth hormone levels if they decrease after tumor treatment.
HGH Benefits for Daily Brain Functions and Memory
For the typical adult suffering from declining growth hormone levels that occur with age, the HGH benefits for brain functions are tremendous. Of course, you must first undergo blood testing and physical examination to determine if you have growth hormone deficiency. If you do not, then using HGH injections will not provide much of a change. Your body has a natural level of growth hormone in the bloodstream. When HGH is in balance, your body functions properly. Only if levels are too low and causing symptoms of HGH deficiency with growth hormone be of benefit.
The connection between low levels of HGH and brain fog is real. It becomes increasingly difficult to concentrate and focus when you have low HGH levels. Some people equate it to walking around in a fog while others complain of not being able to remember anything. In either situation, when reversing low HGH levels with human growth hormone therapy, focus and memory improve dramatically.
Other benefits for the brain of using HGH injection therapy to treat growth hormone deficiency include:
- Quicker learning and comprehension
- Better memory recall
- Improved concentration
- Quicker mental calculations
- Enhanced processing and cognitive skills
- Decrease in feelings of depression
- Reduced anxiety, stress, and irritability
- Better sleep
- Improved emotional state and mood
HGH therapy can improve daily brain functions in adults with growth hormone deficiency.