Human growth hormone is an important chemical naturally produced in the body that occasionally receives big headlines in the news because it is a rumored performance enhancer. Regardless of this use, everyone needs human growth hormone to develop from an infant to a child and then into an adult. Here is a rundown of some human growth hormone facts to dispel any lingering doubts about what this hormone is and what it can do.

Q: Where is human growth hormone produced?

A: As a naturally occurring hormone, human growth hormone is produced in the body’s pituitary gland. This important gland periodically produces and secretes hormones that fuel development, especially sexual development. Human growth hormone is perhaps one of the most important hormones coursing through your veins.

Q: Why is it so important?

A: Without human growth hormone, there would be almost no development of an individual beyond infancy. Human growth hormone is classified as anabolic, meaning that it acts as a chemical that builds up tissue. This means that human growth hormone is instrumental in allowing organs and tissue to develop, especially muscle tissue. Height is also directly influenced by the amount of growth hormone present in the body.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have enough human growth hormone in the body?

A: A growth deficiency is the most common side effect in the body naturally does not produce enough growth hormone. This condition is exactly as it sounds. A person with too little growth hormone is often be stunted and small in growth. Low muscle development entails weakness and lack of motor control. Improper growth also causes weakness, fatigue and obesity. In males, a lack of growth hormone can also mean underdeveloped sexual organs or failure to reach sexual maturity. Females can also suffer from lack of sexual development but are less susceptible than men.

Q: Can someone have too much growth hormone?

A: While not as common as a lack of growth hormone, the development of certain tumors on the pituitary gland can lead to an excess of growth hormone being produced in the body. Side effects from this usually entail excessive growth of the appendages, abnormally large fingers, toes, arms and legs are common. Thickening of the jaw and other major bones are also major symptoms. Sexual dysfunction may also occur from too much growth hormone.

Q: Why do some athletes take growth hormone?

A: Since human growth hormone is an anabolic growth enhancer that influences the development of muscle tissue, athletes sometimes are guilty of injecting themselves with extra doses of growth hormone to pack on extra pounds of muscle.

Q: Is that illegal?

A: Each sport has differing guidelines regarding human growth hormone ingestion. While it is illegal in virtually every sanctioned sporting event, some sports take a harder line on the use of growth hormone than others.

Q: What are the side effects of artificially adding growth hormone to your body?

A: Common side effects include sexual dysfunction, increased aggression and other emotional problems. Abnormal growth of extremities is also common along with joint pain similar to arthritis.

While these human growth hormone facts are just a start, it is advised that you further read about side effects and any other complications before you decide on taking this hormone supplement.