SYS ONLINE
← Categories

Growth Hormone Support

Natural GH/IGF-1 modulation.

Ranked by evidence strength across reported benefits.

Mineral#1· strong

Magnesium

Essential cofactor in 300+ enzymatic reactions, from ATP production to muscle relaxation.

Herb#2· strong

Ashwagandha

Adaptogenic herb that down-regulates HPA-axis output — lowers cortisol, supports T in stressed men.

Vitamin#3· strong

Vitamin D3

Steroid hormone precursor regulating ~5% of the human genome — bone, immune, and hormonal health.

Compound#4· strong

Melatonin

Pineal hormone that signals biological night — most effective for circadian-rhythm shifts.

Amino Acid#5· strong

L-Theanine

Calm focus — alpha-wave amino acid from green tea that takes the edge off caffeine.

Mineral#6· strong

Magnesium Glycinate

Chelated magnesium bound to glycine — best-tolerated form for sleep, calm, and muscle relaxation.

Herb#7· strong

Chasteberry (Vitex)

Dopaminergic herb reducing prolactin and improving PMS/luteal phase symptoms.

Compound#8· strong

CBD (Cannabidiol)

Non-intoxicating cannabinoid studied for anxiety, sleep, and seizures.

Amino Acid#9· strong

Glycine

Inhibitory amino acid that improves sleep quality, glycemic control, and collagen synthesis.

Mineral#10· strong

Iodine

Halogen essential for thyroid hormone synthesis.

Mineral#11· strong

Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note)

See individual selenium and iodine entries; balance is critical for thyroid health.

Compound#12· strong

Melatonin (low-dose physiologic)

Endogenous sleep hormone; low doses (0.3–0.5 mg) typically outperform mega-doses.

Mineral#13· strong

Iodine (Thyroid Optimization)

Essential thyroid hormone substrate — careful dosing required in autoimmunity.

Mineral#14· strong

Potassium Iodide

Standard inorganic iodine — thyroid hormone precursor and radioprotectant.

Herb#15· strong

Lavender Oil (Silexan)

Oral lavender essential oil with proven anxiolytic effect.

Peptide#16· strong

Tesamorelin (Ref)

GHRH analog approved for HIV-associated visceral adiposity.

Herb#17· strong

Kava (WS-1490)

Standardized kavalactone extract for anxiety.

Herb#18· strong

Chamomile (GAD)

Matricaria recutita standardized extract for generalized anxiety.

Herb#19· moderate

Tongkat Ali

Malaysian root extract that frees bound testosterone via SHBG reduction.

Amino Acid#20· moderate

Glycine

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that improves sleep quality and supports collagen synthesis.

Compound#21· moderate

DHEA

Adrenal androgen precursor declining with age; used for adrenal insufficiency and aging.

Herb#22· moderate

KSM-66 Ashwagandha

Root-only standardized ashwagandha extract — the most-studied form for stress and T-support.

Herb#23· moderate

Passionflower

Mild anxiolytic and sleep aid with GABA-A modulation.

Mushroom#24· moderate

Reishi

Adaptogenic mushroom used for immune balance, sleep, and stress.

Compound#25· moderate

DIM (Diindolylmethane)

Cruciferous-derived compound modulating estrogen metabolism toward 2-OH pathway.

Compound#26· moderate

DIM (Diindolylmethane)

Cruciferous-vegetable metabolite that shifts estrogen metabolism toward 2-OH (protective) pathways.

Amino Acid#27· moderate

L-Arginine (GH Pulse)

Stimulates a transient growth hormone pulse when taken on an empty stomach.

Mineral#28· moderate

Magnesium L-Threonate

Magnesium bound to L-threonic acid — the only form shown to meaningfully raise brain magnesium.

Herb#29· moderate

Passionflower (Anxiety)

Passiflora incarnata for mild GAD and pre-surgical anxiety.

Mineral#30· moderate

Selenium

Trace mineral essential for glutathione peroxidase and thyroid hormone activation.

Amino Acid#31· moderate

L-Tryptophan

Essential amino acid precursor to serotonin and melatonin.

Herb#32· moderate

Chamomile

Gentle anxiolytic and sleep-supportive herb.

Herb#33· moderate

Lemon Balm

Mild anxiolytic with cognitive calming effects via GABA-T inhibition.

Herb#34· moderate

Saw Palmetto

Lipidosterolic extract used for BPH urinary symptoms.

Herb#35· moderate

Stinging Nettle Root

Herbal for BPH and SHBG modulation, often paired with saw palmetto.

Mineral#36· moderate

Magnesium Glycinate

Bisglycinate chelate form of magnesium — gentle, well-absorbed, ideal for sleep.

Amino Acid#37· moderate

Glycine (Sleep Onset)

3 g pre-bed lowers core body temperature and improves subjective sleep.

Herb#38· moderate

Sensoril Ashwagandha

Root + leaf extract standardized to ≥10% withanolides — higher potency, more sedating.

Mineral#39· moderate

Selenomethionine

Organic selenium form — preferred for thyroid (Hashimoto's) and antioxidant support.

Herb#40· moderate

Magnolia Bark

GABAergic anxiolytic bark extract used for sleep and stress.

Herb#41· moderate

Hops Extract

Bitter cone extract with mild sedative and phytoestrogenic effects.

Compound#42· moderate

MK-677 (Ibutamoren) — Ref

Oral ghrelin mimetic that raises GH/IGF-1 (research reference).

Peptide#43· moderate

Ipamorelin (Ref)

Selective GHRP-2 analog with minimal cortisol/prolactin effect.

Amino Acid#44· moderate

L-Tryptophan (Sleep)

Direct serotonin/melatonin precursor for nocturnal use.

Compound#45· moderate

GABA (Pharma-grade)

Fermented GABA with reported peripheral relaxation effects.

Herb#46· moderate

Valerian (Sleep)

Valeriana officinalis root extract for sleep latency.

Herb#47· moderate

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica for anxiety and insomnia.

Herb#48· moderate

Shoden Ashwagandha

35% withanolide glycoside Ashwagandha for sleep.

Mushroom#49· moderate

Poria Cocos

TCM mushroom for sleep and immunity.

Amino Acid#50· moderate

PharmaGABA

Naturally fermented GABA.

Mineral#51· moderate

Zinc Monomethionine (ZMA)

Zinc + magnesium + B6 for recovery.

Herb#52· moderate

Saffron Affron

Standardized saffron for mood.

Herb#53· moderate

Valerian Root Extract

Valeriana officinalis for sleep.

Compound#54· moderate

Valerian + Hops

Sleep blend.

Compound#55· moderate

Honokiol

Active magnolia compound.

Compound#56· moderate

Micellar Casein

Slow-digesting milk protein.

Mineral#57· limited

Boron

Trace mineral implicated in steroid hormone metabolism and bone integrity.

Amino Acid#58· limited

5-HTP

Direct serotonin precursor with mood and sleep applications.

Mineral#59· limited

Magnesium Taurate

Magnesium + taurine — gentle on the gut with cardiovascular and glycemic synergies.

Amino Acid#60· limited

GABA

Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; oral supplementation has limited CNS penetration.

Herb#61· limited

Valerian Root

Sedative herb traditionally used for sleep onset and mild anxiety.

Compound#62· limited

Pregnenolone

Master steroid precursor; small doses studied for cognition and PTSD.

Compound#63· limited

Calcium D-Glucarate

Beta-glucuronidase inhibitor promoting elimination of conjugated hormones/toxins.

Nootropic#64· limited

Phenibut (caution)

GABA-B agonist with high abuse and dependence potential; restricted in many countries.

Mineral#65· limited

Magnesium L-Threonate

Mg form designed for brain penetration; studied for cognition and sleep.

Compound#66· limited

Calcium-D-Glucarate

Inhibits β-glucuronidase to support estrogen and toxin elimination via the liver.

Herb#67· limited

Ashwagandha (Thyroid Support)

Supports T4→T3 conversion in subclinical hypothyroid adults.

Amino Acid#68· limited

L-Ornithine

Urea-cycle amino acid that lowers fatigue and supports nighttime GH release.

Herb#69· limited

Valerian Root

GABAergic sedative herb — modest sleep onset benefit.

Herb#70· limited

California Poppy

Mild sedative with anxiolytic and analgesic activity.

Herb#71· limited

Ziziphus (Jujube Seed)

Traditional Chinese seed extract for insomnia and anxiety.