DioshBRS
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Your GH isn't bound to sleep, or time, or night.
Many iqlet tiktokers will post videos showing short people who go to sleep late and tall people who go to sleep early.
However this is completely not true, your GH is fully sleep-bound, meaning when if you get a good 7-10 hour sleep, your body produces GH regardless of time, even if its day time, or if your circadian rhythm is used to sleeping at a different time.
Main drive is good, long, and ofc undisturbed deep phase of sleep, primary first 0-4 hours.
Sugar on the other hand is different, many people follow Ray Peat, sugarmaxxing, insulinmaxxing for IGF1, sugar is primary inhibitor of GH pulses, I recommend to NOT consume sugar at least 2-4 hours before sleep. Insulin and glucose suppress GH when elevated, as they increase somatostatin (a GH inhibitor) and directly blunt pituitary release. This is all study backed, I'm gonna leave some studies here.
(im 186cm at 15btw even though i wouldnt say its my merit)
Many iqlet tiktokers will post videos showing short people who go to sleep late and tall people who go to sleep early.
However this is completely not true, your GH is fully sleep-bound, meaning when if you get a good 7-10 hour sleep, your body produces GH regardless of time, even if its day time, or if your circadian rhythm is used to sleeping at a different time.
Main drive is good, long, and ofc undisturbed deep phase of sleep, primary first 0-4 hours.
Sugar on the other hand is different, many people follow Ray Peat, sugarmaxxing, insulinmaxxing for IGF1, sugar is primary inhibitor of GH pulses, I recommend to NOT consume sugar at least 2-4 hours before sleep. Insulin and glucose suppress GH when elevated, as they increase somatostatin (a GH inhibitor) and directly blunt pituitary release. This is all study backed, I'm gonna leave some studies here.
(im 186cm at 15btw even though i wouldnt say its my merit)
Sugar/Carbs After Sunset (or Close to Bed) and Nighttime GH Production
- Merimee et al. (1976): High-carbohydrate diets significantly decreased serum GH levels in men (compared to high-fat or high-protein isocaloric diets).
- Mantantzis et al. (2022): Examined effects of dietary carbohydrate profile on nocturnal GH and sleep architecture; higher nocturnal carb oxidation linked to changes in slow-wave sleep (key for GH).
Different Effects of Insulin from Sugar/Carbs vs. Protein on GH (and IGF-1)
- Matzen et al. (1990): Isocaloric protein vs. carbohydrate meals — both caused an initial GH drop, but GH rebounded more strongly after protein (peak at ~180 min), while carbs showed weaker recovery.
- Gannon et al. (2011): High-protein diet increased IGF-1 without significantly raising GH or altering ghrelin in a way that matched high-carb effects, highlighting differential macronutrient impacts.
GH Pulse Timing: Sleep Onset vs. Fixed Clock Time (e.g., 2 AM)
- Van Cauter et al. (1996): The most reproducible GH pulse occurs shortly after sleep onset, associated with the first slow-wave sleep period (not locked to clock time).
- Sassin et al. (1969): When sleep-wake cycles were reversed by 12 hours, GH release reversed with sleep — demonstrating it is not tied to an inherent circadian rhythm independent of sleep.
Daytime Sleep / Naps and GH Release
- Weibel et al. (1997): In night workers with daytime sleep, the main GH secretory episode still occurred during the first half of the (daytime) sleep period.
- Takahashi et al. (1974) (GH levels during morning/afternoon naps): GH release occurred during daytime naps, with variability but clear sleep-onset association (often greater in PM naps).
Circadian Rhythm Influence When Shifting Bedtime (e.g., Habitual 10 PM → 2 AM)
- Spiegel et al. (2000): During sleep delay/restriction, a biphasic GH pattern appeared (presleep "circadian" pulse + postsleep pulse); total GH stayed similar but postsleep pulse could be modulated.
- Davidson et al. (1991): Nocturnal GH surge is largely sleep-dependent; sleep deprivation or shifts alter timing, but a circadian influence on cortisol (contrast) was noted, while GH followed sleep more closely.
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