Is Deer Antler Velvet Safe or Dangerous for Long-Term Use?

Is deer antler velvet safe? If you are wondering about the risk of health dangers from taking this supplement, your fears are understandable.

This high-impact bodybuilding product, which has actually been in use in some cultures for as long as 2000 years, has recently been marketed in a way which makes it appear very similar to anabolic steroids.

Steroids are not only illegal, they can be incredibly dangerous when abused. While deer antler velvet products can produce some similar effects to synthetic growth hormones, they are a distinct with altogether different safety indications.

The following is a summary of why deer antler velvet safety is controversial, along with recommendations for safe use.

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

Top Related Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Why Deer Antler Spray Was Banned in the NFL

Most people heard about deer antler velvet for the first time during a scandal which erupted in the media around Super Bowl XLVII.

One of the star players, linebacker Ray Lewis, was quoted in a Sports Illustrated interview as having used the supplement to help heal a torn shoulder muscle.

This would directly oppose a ban on deer antler sprays which had been put in place by WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, as well as the NFL.

These agencies had prohibited deer antler products because of their main ingredient – the human growth factor IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1). IGF is banned in all pro sports because it is though that it might give an unfair advantage to players who use it. The hormone naturally occurs in the human body, and is a part of the cell division process which leads to muscle growth when working out.

Lewis’ comments touched off a firestorm which resulted in a new investigation and a new WADA ruling: deer antler products were deemed acceptable, and the game was not impacted.

While IGF is still on the restricted list, deer antler spray’s mechanism for delivering the hormone does not constitute a violation of ethics or safety risk. With this go-ahead, more players opened up about their use of the spray supplement.

Is deer antler velvet safe? This ruling would indicate yes. Read more about the ways in which bodybuilders use the supplement here.

Is Taking Deer Antler Velvet the Same as Taking Steroids?

Steroids are illegal and prohibited for use in pro sports because they are dangerous and have long-lasting negative health implications. When over-used, they can create conditions for cancerous growths and tumors. At the least, they cause testicular shrinkage, mood swings, and the appearance of secondary female sexual characteristics in men.

Steroids can be addictive, and can create powerful psychological dependency which is hard for athletes to break. In comparison, deer antler velvet is much safer and poses less risk of abuse.

The IGF-1 found in deer antler extracts is natural and non-synthetic. It is comparable to hormones already present in human blood. The question is, is it possible to overdose on this hormone through the use of deer antler sprays?

While we are awaiting a consensus among the scientific community the answer appears to be no – it’s not possible to create harmful dose with this delivery method. The kinds of negative side effects witnessed with steroids would require injection of large doses of IGF or HGH.

Most scientific studies, such as those done at NYU Langone Medical Center and published in the Journal of Pharmacology, indicate that, if anything, deer antler products are too weak to generate dramatic effects of any kind.

Still pro players and amateur bodybuilders swear by the spray, and boast about noticeable gains on discussion boards across the web. On these same boards, very few side effects if any have been mentioned. For the latest research into deer antler effects, look at this article.

Is Deer Antler Velvet Safe for Women?

The majority of health concerns want to know is deer antler velvet safe for women to take. In the body, IGF-1 can imitate the effects of estrogen, the powerful female reproductive hormone.

Estrogen can help to regulate reproductive cycles and related activity. An overabundance of the estrogen hormone (or an over-abundance of IGF-1 triggering of estrogen receptors) might lead to unique problems for women.

These include ovarian cancers, uterine cancers, and fibroid tumors. These dangerous conditions might follow a pre-disposition to hormonal imbalance, and could be exacerbated by a gross over-dose of IGF-1.

It is not thought possible to achieve these doses with an over the counter deer antler spray. However, you should consult with a doctor before planning to use this product or any other supplement that can influence hormone levels. For more detailed review of hormone supplementation, click here.

Is Deer Antler Velvet Safe for Children?

The core ingredient in deer antler spray, IGF-1, is routinely prescribe to children who are experiencing serious growth inhibition, such as some cases of dwarfism. This kind of therapy can be effective, but it is always supervised by a doctor and closely monitored.

The amount of IGF-1 in an oral deer antler spray is not sufficient enough to warrant major side effects fears for children. In fact, deer antler spray is sometimes prescribed to children who have slight retardation, learning problems, rickets, or what is known as “failure to thrive.” This condition is a way of describing children who do not match norms for weight and height gain over time.

What is a Safe Dose of Deer Antler Velvet?

Deer antler spray, when taken in liquid form via a spray bottle, is safe to take every day, or only on days of heavy exercise and weight training. The typical dosage is around 50 – 100 nanograms of IGF-1, which translates into 3 – 5 sprays. Overdosing on IGF-1 would take close to 100 times this amount. More details about calculating the proper dosage can be found in this article.

When it is used properly by healthy individuals, deer antler extract is safe. Whether or not this amount of the supplement will produce gains in bodybuilding or substantial benefits in other areas is still a matter of conjecture.

Scientists like Dr. Jordan Moon, the Department Head of Sports Health and Fitness at the United States Sports Academy, claim that these amounts of IGF-1 are trivial and will not produce an effect. The booming new industry of deer antler fitness supplements seems to indicate otherwise.

Rate This Article

(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5, rated)