Growth hormone fuels childhood growth and helps maintain tissues and organs throughout life. It's made by the pea-sized pituitary gland found at the base of the brain. After puberty, the pituitary gland gradually makes less growth hormone over time.

This natural slowdown has triggered an interest in using lab-made human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging treatment. Some people claim that the use of HGH can delay some of the changes linked to aging, such as less muscle and bone mass.

If you're skeptical, good. There's little research to suggest that HGH can help otherwise healthy adults regain youth and energy. What's more, HGH treatments may raise the risk of other health conditions. Experts recommend against using HGH to treat aging or age-related conditions.