Bodybuilders are always looking for new ways to improve their performance to see better results. That’s why it’s not surprising that a lot of people (arguably bodybuilders) are searching for information online using ‘tadalafil for bodybuilding’ as keywords. In fact, if you use Google to search for those keywords, you’ll get 817,000 search results, which is significantly high.
But despite its popularity online, we still need to take a closer look at the veracity of such claims. Is it true that the medication mainly used to help men experiencing erectile dysfunction can also help improve physical gains? Let’s find out.
What Is Tadalafil?
Commercially known as Cialis, tadalafil is a drug inhibitor that enables erection by relaxing the corpus cavernosum, which is a group of muscles in the male genitalia (1). It has the same effect as Viagra and Levitra. Cialis was approved by the FDA in the US in 2003 and heavily marketed as a cure to help men stay longer and harder.
But aside from erectile dysfunction, tadalafil can also be used as a medication to help in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
How does tadalafil work? During sexual arousal, the male body releases nitric oxide into the genitals. This results in the production of Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which controls the contraction of blood vessels carrying blood to and from the male organ.
Through years of research, it has been discovered that PDE5 (another hormone in the body) inhibits the effects of cGMP. If there’s too much PDE5 in the body, the blood vessels are not able to properly contract, affecting the quality of erection. Tadalafil acts as a PDE5 inhibitor and boosts cGMP that causes the erection to be longer and harder.
Tadalafil for Bodybuilding: The Truth
There’s some evidence pointing to the fact that tadalafil can be used as a pre-workout supplement for bodybuilding. As a main ingredient of Cialis, tadalafil helps in increasing blood flow that allows bodybuilders to have more energy and, of course, more stamina to sustain challenging workout routines.
In a clinical study conducted in 2013 and published by the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, researchers discovered that tadalafil could increase muscle growth and reduces muscle fatigue (2).
Moreover, in a 2017 study, researchers discovered that tadalafil could improve lean mass and muscle function among non-obese men (3). This suggests that the drug can be used by lean bodybuilders in further enhancing their physique.
So based on the abovementioned studies, it seems that tadalafil can help those who want to improve the results of their bodybuilding efforts. But is it recommended for bodybuilders? What are the other pros of using tadalafil as a pre-workout supplement?
Additional Benefits of Tadalafil for Bodybuilders
Aside from muscle gains, tadalafil can also benefit bodybuilders who are hypertensive or have high blood pressure. In a 2003 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, researchers discovered that taking tadalafil may result in lower blood pressure (4).
For bodybuilders who are on a cycle, blood pressure can spike at some alarming levels near the end of the workout. Over time, hypertension can affect the body and may lead to different health conditions and even result in severe stroke or heart attack.
Another benefit, of course, is that if you are sexually active, you won’t have any problems staying longer in bed and will surely provide more pleasure to your partner. For bodybuilders taking tadalafil, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone.
Disadvantages of Using Tadalafil for Bodybuilding
It seems that tadalafil is a pretty much fantastic drug for bodybuilders, but there are also some disadvantages that you need to be aware of.
Of course, as a medication intended to cure erectile dysfunction, you may not avoid getting yourself some unwanted attention because of an unintended erection at the gym. This scenario may affect your training as instead of focusing on your workout, you may be conscious because of your hard-on.
What Are the Side Effects of Tadalafil
And like other drugs, tadalafil also has adverse effects, which include back pain, cold, indigestion, and headache. If you experience these side effects, you may need to discontinue taking tadalafil.
Taking tadalafil before your workout may result in headaches or dizziness (5). Maybe if you need an extra boost for a challenging routine, taking tadalafil occasionally may provide you the energy you need to sustain heavy training.
Tadalafil for bodybuilding is now a growing trend, and there are studies to back the efficacy of this drug. But always prioritize your safety by testing the waters first. In fact, it is best to consult your doctor first before taking any medicine, especially if you are training your body, or you are also taking other medications or health supplements.
