You know the saying that “you grow in your sleep”?  There is a lot of truth to that phrase and it is because of human growth hormone, or HGH.  Every day, healthy adults produce about 400 micrograms of HGH.  The hormone is released in surges, usually in 3 to 5 hour intervals. Of all of the HGH secretions, the largest occurs in the first hour of sleep.  About 75% of all HGH production will occur while sleeping.

If you are not getting enough sleep, then your HGH levels are going to drop drastically.  Inadequate sleep also affects other aspects of your body, such as hindering nutrient absorption and causing stress.  These effects could further impair your HGH production so you become deficient in HGH.

Will Sleeping More Cause Me to Make More HGH?

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, then adding a few hours of sleep to your night could significantly increase your HGH production.  However, boosting natural HGH levels is not as simple as taking a few naps or sleeping in later on weekends.  The HGH which is produced during sleep is mostly used for replenishing energy for the next day.  It will not help you get extra energy nor any of the other benefits associated with increased HGH, such as a boosted metabolism and reduced signs of aging. Adequate sleep will simply help your HGH get to healthy levels but not necessarily optimal levels.

Most people need at least 8 hours of sleep a day.  If you are an athlete, then you should be getting closer to 10 hours of sleep daily.  Most HGH production occurs during REM.  Forcing yourself to sleep 12+ hours a day isn’t going to make your HGH levels skyrocket.  In fact, it could harm your HGH production because of all the time you spend inactive in bed.

Further, it is important to realize that a regular sleep schedule is necessary for HGH production.  Your body produces HGH in surges, many of which are predictable depending on diet and activity levels.  The HGH surge which occurs during the first hour of sleep is the most predictable.  If you do not stick to a regular sleeping schedule, then you are unlikely to get a regular surge of HGH.

Supplementing HGH with Sleep Schedules

There are limits to how much more HGH you can produce just by sleeping more. So, many people opt for the easier approach to increasing HGH levels: supplements like HGH releasers.  To get the most out of an HGH supplement or releaser, it is best to take it right before going to bed on an empty stomach. If you are taking HGH supplements more than once daily (which is ideal), then you should take the other dosage after a workout also on an empty stomach.