Using deer antler spray for bodybuilding is one of the hottest trends to hit men’s fitness in recent years.
This organic remedy could be a safe and effective alternative to anabolic steroids. Many men wish to experience the dramatic gains attributed to steroid use, but don’t want to risk terrible side effects, not to mention breaking the law.
Is bodybuilding with deer antler spray worth trying? More and more fitness fiends are saying yes. The following is quick guide to the use of this animal-based fitness supplement.



- Source of IGF-1 for Muscle Growth
- Supports joint health & functionality
- May aid sexual function & anti-aging
Use of Deer Antler Spray in the Gym
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The hormone content of deer antler spray is what gives the product its transformative power in the gym.
The main hormone ingredient, IGF-1, has profound effects not just on the development of deer antlers, but also on human muscle.
IGF-1 is responsible for promoting division of cells which results in muscle growth. It is a protein comprised of over 70 amino acids. In the blood it accentuates the activity of Growth Hormone, enabling the liver to synthesize it more easily. It has strong anabolic qualities, which is how we describe the process of converting tissue into new muscle.
IGF-1 is an important part of the muscle growing process. Fueled by calories and proteins from the diet, micro-tears in muscle fiber (such as those caused by lifting heavy weights) are repaired and strengthened by IGF-1, growing larger than before the tear.
Men who consume deer antler spray for bodybuilding are attempting to ignite this process by increasing the amount of IGF-1 in the blood. Unlike steroids, which must be injected to avoid destruction by stomach acids, IGF-1 can potentially be delivered sublingually in the form of deer antler spray.
Three to five sprays per day has been demonstrated to produce noticeable muscle gains within 3 weeks of the start of therapy. Find out how to use IGF-1 for a bulking or cutting cycle in this guide.
The Deer Antler Spray Super Bowl Scandal
Many men become aware of the use of deer antler spray for bodybuilding in the press run-up to the 2013 Super Bowl. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was quoted as saying he supported the use of deer antler extract, even though the substance was banned at the time by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the NFL as a performance enhancing drug.
While it is unclear if Lewis stands by this quote (attributed to him in Sports Illustrated), WADA subsequently overturned their ban in the same year. Their study of deer antler suggests that not enough IGF-1 is delivered by the product to cause reasons for concern.
This is a controversial point for manufacturers of deer antler extracts, who claim that sprays can indeed serve ample amounts of IGF to the blood. Professional athletes seem to agree, as recent stats put out by CBS indicate that as many as 20 percent of pro football players (as well as comparable numbers of athletes from other major league sports) use the spray regularly.
We explore the legal issues surrounding deer antler spray in more depth in this article.
How Pervasive Is the Use of Deer Antler Spray for Bodybuilding?
With the ban by WADA lifted, there is now no impediment to the free and legal use of deer antler spray for bodybuilding.
In the U.S., anabolic steroids are still a Schedule III narcotic, which requires prescription by a doctor for legal use. These compounds are generally prescribed as physical therapy after injury, not to assist with bodybuilding.
It is unclear just how many athletes, wither professional or amateur, are using deer antler sprays. Athletes from almost every major sport, such as the PGA’s Vijay Singh, have come forward with their use of the spray. We can only assume that usage is mirrored at the amateur level on a very wide scale.
Is Deer Antler a Form of Steroid?
It is important re-state that using deer antler spray for bodybuilding is not the same as using steroids. Steroids are synthetic, and created in a lab in order to artificially boost levels of testosterone and create anabolic muscle growth.
Steroids, when injected, are considered very strong, very dangerous, and highly addictive. They can create severe hormonal imbalances, which can shrink testes, generate abnormal organ growth, and lead to cancerous tumors.
While some men are willing to take these risks (and break the law) in order to improve their physiques, most are not. Deer antler spray is considered a more organic way to achieve muscle gains and support bone health.
Side effects are limited, and are mostly connected to estrogen sensitivity in women. Men rarely report side effects connected with its use. Find out more in these reviews of deer antler safety concerns.
Is There Real Science to Back up Claims?
The best resource for determining the efficacy of deer antler spray for bodybuilding is still the general public. Weightlighting forums have hundreds of threads devoted to the use of growth factors, including deer antler spray.
Formal scientific studies have not been conclusive or widespread at this time. An informal 10-week study sponsored by CNBC confirmed muscle gains for men who tried deer antler spray over those who used a placebo.
For more detailed accounts of men’s reactions to the treatment, it is best to go straight to the source – bodybuilders who use the spray regularly. As deer extract products become more popular, we expect to see more objective scientific studies analyzing its developing role in strength training.
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Article last updated on: April 29th, 2018 by Nootriment