Our Bodies are Pharmacies

Our bodies are full of drugs and chemicals that can be bought at the local store. We have hormones and endorphins that decrease pain, increase bone density, increase alertness, burn fat, and build muscle. The store bought drugs that build muscle require a prescription, and/or are otherwise illegal, i.e., testosterone, or anabolic steroids. “Low T” is an advertisement for testosterone. Testosterone naturally decreases as we age. A prescription for it will make you feel like a million dollars; a literal fountain of youth.

Some other examples include human growth hormone, which increases bone growth, muscle mass, fat usage, and cartilage growth.  You can buy Glucosamine to try and maintain cartilage. The thyroid gland releases thyroxine, which increases your metabolism and fat burning. This would be similar to buying Hydroxycut, only more natural and without side effects.

Stimulation of the anterior pituitary gland also releases Beta endorphins. Endorphin release is as strong as buying Tylenol. In double blind studies, sugar pills relieve as much pain as Tylenol. This also points to some strong theories about pain perception, and the placebos.

So how do you unlock some of these free drugs from the pharmacy, or hormonal glands? Yeah, you know what’s coming next, the “e” word. The body has a natural homeostatic balance. It regulates hormone levels to be safe and not expend too much energy if you don’t need it. Exercise, or an outside stress stimulus, triggers these glands to release more of these drugs and hormones. Think of the glands as the pharmacist, and exercise as the doctor’s script, and money!, to get the drugs.

Certain weightlifting protocols will target specific drugs. Testosterone is released more after lifting weight in the 8-12 repetition range with 60 seconds of rest between sets. Human growth hormone is released more in the 3-5 repetition range with 3 minute rest periods. Which is better? Neither. Variety is better than sticking with one protocol throughout the year.

Blood testosterone levels have been measured at almost double that of resting levels midway through a workout, and up to 25% higher, an hour after working out. This rise in testosterone triggers your body into an anabolic phase. That means the body is taking available protein and is building muscle. This research also suggests why you should ingest more protein during and after a workout.

Women needn’t worry about looking too masculine from these natural hormones. Only women who have supplemented with steroids appear to gain masculine fascial features. The supplemental steroids unbalance the body’s self- regulation. If you look at the covers of some of the women’s fitness magazines, those women do not have masculine fascial features, yet are ripped with muscles.

So exercise and weightlifting will trigger a flood of hormones that will increase muscle, increase bone density, decrease fat, decrease pain, and elevate your mood. All for free.