The Truth about Deer Antler Spray Side Effects

As with any bodybuilding supplement, it’s important to consider possible deer antler spray side effects before trying the product.

A staple of Chinese medicine for at least two thousand years, this extract is harvested from the growing antlers of live deer and contains a byproduct of Human Growth Hormone.

Unlike growth factors which are created in laboratory settings, deer antler extracts are completely organic. These products are loaded with IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), a common anabolic compound also found in human blood.

Over the last few decades, deer antler velvet extract has gained popularity as a muscle growth stimulant and overall fitness supplement. The side effects of deer antler supplements are often compared favorably to illegal steroids which are used for the same purpose, making this a viable option for safe and legal bodybuilding cycles.

Deer Antler Extract

Bodybuilding Supplement

Bodybuilding

Joint Health

Sexual Health

How It Works:

• Source of IGF-1 for Muscle Growth
• Supports joint health & functionality
• May aid sexual function & anti-aging

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Active Ingredient in Deer Antler Spray

Deer antler spray provides the main active component of IGF-1. This is a hormonal growth factor, similar to insulin, which prompts rapid cell division.

In a deer, this compound spurs the fast growth and hardening of antlers from soft tissue and cartilage. In humans, the same substance is naturally produced to stimulate growth of muscle and bone, as well as aiding in the healing of tissue damage.

Any deer antler spray side effects that may arise would come from an unusually large amount of IGF-1 in the blood. More info about what constitutes too much IGF-1 can be found here. IGF-1 is actually somewhat difficult to supplement, and therefore difficult to overdose.

Like other growth hormones (including the legal steroid DHEA), the substance is considered fragile, and will be significantly damaged and reduced by the digestion process. This is the reason that most growth hormones, including illegal ones, are generally injected.

The latest deer antler extract products solve this problem by delivering the active ingredients via a micro-fine mist, intended to be sprayed under the tongue. This allows the product to be delivered directly to the bloodstream, without passing through the stomach. The additional impact upon side effects by this delivery method is unknown.

Side Effects of Steroids

Deer antler spray is not the same as a synthetic steroid, but it is often erroneously paired with synthetics in discussions of side effects. Anabolic steroids are created in a lab, unlike deer antler extracts. The side effects of steroid use can be very severe and even life threatening over time.

These effects are not rare. Anyone who uses steroids in a fitness context will develop these problems with consistent use over a long period of time:

• Abnormal growth issues – Muscle, bone, and organs can experience unwanted growth spurts, even altering one’s appearance. Secondary sexual characteristics can become exaggerated
• Mood problems – Mood can become erratic, with serious depressive episodes
• Heart/blood pressure conditions – Arrhythmia and high blood pressure are common with steroid use
• Tumors and cancers – Men and women become pre-disposed to increased risk of developing cancer
• Dependency/addiction – Steroids are highly addictive and difficult to quit

The severity of steroid side effects is one major reason which inspires people to try deer antler products as an alterative.

Hormonal Deer Antler Spray Adverse Effects

Negative effects of deer antler sprays are generally considered far less than those of synthetic steroids. Some argue that this is because not enough IGF-1 is delivered by the spray to make a negative impact.

The majority of side effects reported from deer antler extract involve over-stimulation of estrogen receptors. The extract simulates the function of the hormone, and can cause issues – some serious – for anyone who is already vulnerable to hormone imbalance.

This is especially true for women. Here are the main dangers women face from excessive IGF-1 levels: women’s reproductive cancers like uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and fibroid tumors.

It is also possible that an overabundance of the IGF-1 in deer antler spray will create side effects similar to excessive amounts of human growth hormone. No study has proven this, but these side effects are worth mention: swelling, nerve pain, hyperactive libido, and high cholesterol.

If any of these effects are experienced, use of all deer antler products should be immediately suspended. Read more about issues facing men who use growth hormone supplements here.

Relevant Scientific Studies

There are only a few objective scientific studies which have looked at the short or long-term positive and negative effects of deer antler extracts.

• NYU Langone Medical Center – Male hormone levels are not negatively impacted by deer antler powders. Use of chemical tranquilizers in the harvesting of the product may be a noteworthy concern.
• Journal of Ethnopharmacology – notes positive benefits of deer antler extracts but requests further human trials to determine side effects.
• CNBC – muscle gains were documented by users of the product over a 10 week period. No side effects were noted.

Deer antler spray side effects appear to be negligible for short-term use, except in the case of women who are pre-disposed to reproductive hormone imbalance. The consensus of the scientific community to date seems to indicate that not enough IGF-1 is delivered to the blood by these products to constitute a serious health risk.

As with any fitness supplement, it’s important to proceed cautiously and note individual reactions over time. At this time, the popularity of deer antler products seems to indicate a high level of efficacy, with manageable side effects. Read a summary of a recent NYU study about deer antler extracts here.

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