Andrew Huberman on Arginine
5 episodes · 9 references · 2021–2025
- Huberman discusses arginine primarily for growth hormone release (400-600% increase) and blood flow, but warns that more is not better and exercise timing matters - He notes potential benefits for slow wave sleep and muscle blood flow via vasodilation - No evidence of personal consumption; no specific dosing or timing guidance provided
Benefits
- Arginine can increase growth hormone levels 400-600% above baseline when taken appropriately - May increase slow wave sleep based on limited study evidence - Used for vasodilation and increased blood flow to muscles during resistance exercise, often via beet juice or L-citrulline
Cautions
- Taking arginine with exercise can short-circuit the 800% growth hormone boost from exercise alone - Doses above 9 grams actually blunt growth hormone release rather than enhance it - Citrulline and arginine can increase likelihood of herpes/cold sore outbreaks
“There are some things that at least in a few studies that I could find seem to suggest that you could increase the amount of slow wave sleep using things like arginine.”
Understand and Use Dreams to Learn and Forget
“Arginine, the amino acid arginine, as well as the amino acid ornithine can increase growth hormone levels substantially.”
How to Control Your Metabolism by Thyroid & Growth Hormone
“There's a culture now of taking arginine, things that support arginine, so beet juice and L-citrulline, things to dilate the blood vessels... for sake of increasing blood flow to the muscles during resistance exercise.”
Using Temperature for Performance, Brain & Body Health | Dr. Craig Heller
