Like its famous cousin Viagra, tadalafil belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors, which are primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). These medications work as vasodilators; they help relax muscle tissues in the body to prompt better blood flow. While tadalafil is highly effective in helping users get and maintain erections with sexual stimulation, recent research shows its blood-pumping effects may also help improve your muscle pumps and gains at the gym.
Find out how to use tadalafil for muscle growth, how it works, and why you should take it before your workout to see the best results.
Key takeaways:
In the same way that it improves blood flow to the penis, tadalafil improves blood flow to your muscles, which is advantageous to athletes and bodybuilders. Improved blood flow supplies the muscle with nutrients and oxygen, which also leads to a temporary boost in size and vascularity, helping to accelerate long-term growth. While physical activity on its own increases blood flow, a medication like tadalafil helps you double down your efforts for more satisfying pumps and gains.
When taken before a workout, tadalafil also helps modulate your endocrine system and change the way your body responds to exercise. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, men who took tadalafil had higher levels of testosterone and cortisol following exercise, a hormonal combination which helps the body adapt to exercise and essentially become fitter. Meanwhile, men who took the placebo only had higher levels of cortisol.
And in this study on patients with congestive heart failure, inhibiting PDE5 improved their exercise performance, which had previously been limited due to an inadequate rise in cardiac output and a fixed capacity to dilate the skeletal muscle vasculature. There is also evidence that tadalafil improves the testosterone/estradiol ratio, which may have a protective effect on skeletal muscle functions. And by improving insulin sensitivity, the medication helps to stimulate adipocytes, or fat cells, consequently reducing abdominal fat mass.
Beyond increasing blood flow for better pumps and helping you become fitter and leaner, there are numerous studies that support tadalafil muscle growth potential. In this 2013 study, PDE5 inhibition increased muscle protein synthesis and reduced muscle fatigue, suggesting a potential benefit for athletic performance and muscle growth. Researchers also noted that the approximate doubling of skeletal muscle protein synthesis observed in response to a PDE5 inhibitor is similar to that observed in response to 100–200 mg/week testosterone injection, a treatment which increases skeletal muscle mass and strength, but does not reduce muscle fatigability.
Though the muscle growth seen with PDE5 inhibition is similar to what you would see with anabolic steroids, there is a significant difference when it comes to side effects. Side effects of steroid shots include breast growth, enlarged prostate, testicular shrinkage, acne, aggression, and infertility, none of which are found with tadalafil use.
In another 2017 study, tadalafil improved lean mass, leading to a reduced waist circumference. It was hypothesized that this improvement was due to enhanced insulin secretion, estradiol reduction, and an overall improvement of endothelial function.
With a long half-life of around 17.5 hours, tadalafil is highly beneficial for post-workout recovery. The medication is proven to improve inflammation while inhibiting oxidative and nitrosative stress, all contributing factors to muscle pain and soreness after exercise.
PDE5 inhibition may also reduce arterial stiffness during the recovery period after exercise when compared to placebo. This reduction has beneficial effects on exercise tolerance and is known to decrease cardiovascular risk. Even more, tadalafil has also been shown to lower systolic blood pressure during and after exercise, further lowering the risk for cardiovascular events prompted by exercise.
In another 2019 study, researchers looked at the effects of PDE5 inhibition on dystrophic muscle following an acute bout of downhill running and endurance training. They found that PDE5 inhibition reduced muscle damage following exercise. Additionally, PDE5 inhibition also resulted in greater training volume over 4 weeks, improved endurance performance, and enhanced microvascular function, both improving muscle performance and potentially slowing disease progression in dystrophic muscle.
Before using tadalafil for gym performance and muscle growth, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to ensure the medication is right for you.
The beginning dosage is typically 2.5-5mg and may be used in combination with other PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil, which has a shorter half-life than tadalafil. Because vardenafil’s vasodilating effects occur quickly, combining it with tadalafil before hitting the gym will ensure your workout and post-workout recovery are as advantageous as possible.
Unlike anabolic steroids, tadalafil has minimal side effects, which rarely lead to discontinuation. These include mild headache, heartburn, and indigestion. This medication should not be used in conjunction with nitrates, which are often prescribed for chest pain (angina). Tadalafil is also not suitable for individuals who have or have had heart problems in the past. Always consult a doctor first for personal safety precautions based on your medical history.
Based on the evidence, it’s clear that using tadalafil as a pre-workout supplement may help you have more pumps and gains, more endurance, and faster workout recovery. With minimal side effects, the medication appears to have an advantage over anabolic steroids, especially when it comes to safety. Use tadalafil to reach your goals faster without compromising your overall health, but always be sure to ask your doctor before using any medication.
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