Although initially meant to treat angina, a heart ailment, sildenafil (aka Viagra) was discovered to promote and enhance male erections making it a potent drug for treating erectile dysfunction.
These days, however, many are wondering whether there’s a link between Viagra and bodybuilding—as new studies seem to indicate that the drug’s benefits don’t stop on enhancing sexual performance.
Recent research points towards the possibility of it helping build muscles, making it a potential supplement for bodybuilders. But just how effective is Viagra in helping build muscles?
Viagra and Bodybuilding: Three Impressive Perks
To answer that question, here is a quick rundown of the little blue pill’s potential benefits for bodybuilders:
1. Increasing the ‘Pump’
Going back to the most basic purpose of Viagra, it was a drug designed to allow optimal blood flow (1). That meant improving circulation not only to the penis but also to all body parts which include muscles.
Increased blood flow results in a better ‘pump’ during resistance exercises, which also meant more nutrients get to the muscle tissues.
Combined with other supplements, Viagra can be a solution to those workout plateaus. There are already NO-enhanced formulas that can increase strength and power output, build endurance and motivation, and reduce time-to-fatigue.
2. Supporting Protein Synthesis
A recent study was made on healthy men who were made to take 25 mg of sildenafil per day for six consecutive days. They were divided into two groups. One group was given Viagra and another one a placebo.
After the 6-day period, both groups were tested for muscle architecture, strength, and fatigue before and after the treatment. Some interesting findings were made by the research team on this test (2).
- Those who took Viagra had reduced muscle fatigue compared to the placebo control group.
- There was also a significant increase in muscle protein synthesis, which is an important factor in building muscle.
Theoretically, these findings can be translated to increased muscle mass mainly due to the elevated protein levels in the muscle cells as well as the apparent changes in the structure of the muscle cells.
Although the actual increase in muscle size was not tested since this is a small group and the test was short, the effect of Viagra on muscle growth, strength, and endurance was very evident.
It should also be noted that these tests weren’t made on trained athletes like bodybuilders. The test subjects were mainly older men aged 40 years and above.
If Viagra had such an effect on older guys, imagine its benefits on seasoned bodybuilders.
3. Boosting Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male hormone (3). It’s the one responsible for building muscles and the reason why men can build bigger muscles than women, and at faster rates too.
Testosterone is responsible for increasing androgenic and anabolic gains, both of which are the main goals of any bodybuilder.
An increase in testosterone levels have the following benefits:
- Improved strength and more muscle mass
- More lean muscle tissues and lower body fat
- Increased energy, determination, and motivation
- Enhanced endurance and elevated stamina
And that’s just scraping the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the muscle-building benefits of testosterone.
In one study, men aged 40 to 70 years were given high doses of Viagra, around 50 to 100 mg (4).
Researchers found out that the testosterone levels after Viagra treatment was directly proportional to the dosage of the drug administered to the subjects.
Although this study was focused on the testosterone levels on the human male testis, it still showed that the little blue pill can help in increasing blood testosterone levels.
More studies probably need to be done but clearly, the drug is showing real potential in muscle building.
Viagra and Building Muscle: Explore its Potential
Scientists and researchers are still discovering what other benefits can be had from Viagra. As for now though, the bodybuilding community is excited about the muscle-building functions of the drug.
But since Viagra was not specifically developed as a bodybuilding supplement, it’s important to remain careful when taking it. Stay within the tested dosages and be vigilant when it comes to side effects. Existing medical issues should also be considered.
All in all, Viagra and bodybuilding might just be the ideal tandem for fitness enthusiasts. If you have a question or you need clarification on something, however, leave a message in the comments section.
Originally posted 2022-05-02 16:42:36.