Netnography of Female Use of the Synthetic Growth Hormone CJC-1295: Pulses and Potions

ABSTRACT

Background. Communal online folk pharmacology fuels the drive for short cuts in attaining muscle enhancement, fat loss, and youthful skin. Objectives. The study used “netnography” to explore female use of CJC-1295, a synthetic growth hormone analogue from the perspectives contained in Internet forum activity. Methods. A systematic Internet search was conducted using variation of the term “CJC-1295”; and combined with “forum.” Ninety-six hits related to bodybuilding websites where CJC-1295 was mentioned. Following application of exclusion criteria to confine to female use and evidence of forum activity, 9 sites remained. These were searched internally for reference to CJC-1295. Twenty-three discussion threads relating to female use of CJC-1295 formed the end data set, and analyzed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method. Results. Forum users appeared well versed and experienced in the poly use of performance and image drug supplementation. Choice to use CJC-1295 centered on weight loss, muscle enhancement, youthful skin, improved sleep, and injury healing. Concerns were described relating to female consequences of use given gender variations in growth hormone pulses affecting estimation of dosage, cycling, and long-term consequences. Conclusions. Public health interventions should consider female self-medicating use of synthetic growth hormone within a repertoire of product supplementation, and related adverse health consequences.

Keywords:

• CJC-1295
• growth hormone
• netnography

Glossary

• Drug affinity complex (DAC): DAC technology optimizes longer half-life and resultant therapeutic window of products.

• Empirical phenomenological psychological method (EPP): A scientific approach for exploring and describing subjective experiences and its perceived meaning. The analysis process emphasizes an open and bias-free attitude towards the data.

• Netnography: The study of cultures and online communities emerging through computer-mediated communications.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Notes

¹ A site with forum dedicated to bodybuilding, weight loss, exercise, and overall healthy living.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marie Claire Van Hout

Marie Claire Van Hout is the Coordinator, Substance Misuse Research, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, which is registered on the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Her research interests include new psychoactive substances, performance and image enhancement drugs, pharmaceutical misuse and Internet drug monitoring.

Evelyn Hearne

Evelyn Hearne is a post graduate student of the MSc in Public Health at the Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom. Her research interests include new psychoactive substances, performance and image enhancement drugs, Internet drug monitoring and injecting druguse behaviors.