Synergy occurs when two elements are combined to create a total which is greater than the sum of their individual parts. In other words, 1 + 1 = 3.
In body building, synergy occurs when two or more factors work together to create a compound effect, greater than the sum of the two factors individually. Body building synergy can be achieved in many ways. For example, proper nutrition and training have greater effects that either independently combined, etc. Chemically, it’s a much more complex ballgame, although one that can be studied and researched. Chemical synergy for body building can be achieved when testosterone and human growth hormone are used together. Their effect upon the body, when cycled together, are far greater than either could be alone or combined on different schedules.
Growth hormone directly leads to muscle growth. It also has secondary effects, including the liver stimulation to release IGF-1, secondary hormone tissue release, and insulin release. Testosterone, on the other hand, is useful for bodybuilders for a different set of reasons. Testosterone make the GH factors work faster. It also increases cell efficiency and makeup, and creates what are called ’satellite cells’ which aid with recovery.
It’s difficult to quantify the synergistic effects of stacking these compounds. Their very use in medicine (and bodybuilding) is relatively new, and legal ramifications make it even harder to track long-term effects of stacking these compounds vs. taking the independently. However, the majority of self-proclaimed “gurus”, as well as a growing number of industry physicians and hormone specialists, seem to be uniformly embracing this theory. As do the body builders. For the short-term, the proof is in the pudding; Today’s top athletes stack testosterone and growth hormone for maximum growth efficiency. And while scientists and researchers know that the two compounds affect different neuromuscular outlets and take different paths to absorption, the clinical data is not yet there.
An additional use, aside from body building growth, is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Older men utilizing hormone replacement therapy, which is often the same compounds used by body builders at far lower levels, will also benefit from the synergistic effect of stacking testosterone and human growth hormone.