Sleep is particularly important in enhancing the levels of HGH. We have already seen that the strongest bursts or pulses of HGH occur about one or two hours after we first fall asleep at night, particularly in men. Obviously, then, if we get to bed late, or at irregular hours, and if our sleep is interrupted and broken with shift work or emotional upset, we will likely interfere with these pulses.

However, if we choose a secretogogue with an amino acid stack containing one of them that is conducive to drowsiness, this will help us to get to sleep so that we may attain these high HGH pulses. Since HGH has been found to improve our sleep, once again we arrive at a cyclical situation. Raised HGH levels by use of secretogogues help us to sleep better; sleeping better helps the pituitary release more optimal pulses of HGH.

With more and more evidence accruing, all attesting to the importance of sleep to our health, this also accentuates the need for optimal HGH levels. Men, in particular, are susceptible to lowered HGH levels from poor sleep habits, because men require the deep sleep more than do women to effect the large burst of HGH release that takes place an hour or so after falling asleep.

Women are less dependent on the large burst of HGH that takes place in the early period of deep sleep, because they also have a propensity to release HGH in smaller bursts throughout the day.

Given that, traditionally, more men have worked night shifts and swing shifts, it could be that this is a relevant factor in the shorter life span men have compared to women. Losing REM sleep may cause psychological problems, but a lack of deep sleep for men may actually be shortening their lives.

Certainly, work with amino acid secretogogues has shown that women may take their amino acids through the day, but men have much better results (higher IGF-1 levels) if the amino acids are taken before bed.

Studies continue to show us that longevity is maximized with an 8 hour sleep schedule.