Hi, it's Dr Sam Robbins,
A little while ago I made a video entitled,
“The Truth About Exercise: Does It Increase
or Decrease Testosterone Levels?”
I highly suggest you watch that video if you
exercise - whether it’s with weights and/or
cardio.
But I’ll give you the special link to that
video at the end..
Now, an important question that was asked
from that video was:
“I take pre-workout stimulants, how do those
products affect my testosterone levels?
I’m stronger at the gym because of it, does
that mean it’s increasing my testosterone
levels?
What about adrenaline, good or bad?”
So this is a great question because I know
a lot of people take “pre-workout stimulants”
or basically, different products that’ll
give them more energy, such as “energy drinks”.
Unfortunately, almost all of these products
are just loaded with caffeine.
Sure, they’ll have some vitamins and amino
acids, but it’s all about the caffeine.
That’s the primary ingredient that’s doing
it all....
That’s causing the “stimulation” of
your adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline
and epinephrine.
Speaking of epinephrine, in the old days we
used to take ephedrine, which is basically
an amphetamine.
So, when taking such stimulants (pre-workout
pills and energy drinks), your body produces
more adrenaline/epinephrine, which triggers
your body’s “fight or flight” response.
This causes your air passages to dilate and
open up more, which provides your muscles
with more “energy” and oxygen.
Obviously, this is great for exercise
At the same time, adrenaline causes your blood
vessels to get smaller and contract, to redirect
more blood towards your muscles - including
your heart and lung.
This is one reason your heart rate speeds
up and your blood pressure goes up with stimulants.
The end result is you’ll feel less pain
- so you can push longer and harder, which
is perfect when you’re exercising… or,
if you’re trying to run for your life.
You’ll also become stronger and have heightened
awareness.
Again, all great for exercise.
The Problem
Unfortunately, your body’s “fight or flight”
response is NOT to be triggered daily.
This is massive stress on the body.
This causes a huge surge and increase in stress
hormones, such as cortisol.
Now, keep in mind that exercise, in of itself,
will cause an increase in adrenaline and cortisol.
These stimulant products are now ADDING to
this stress.
This is EXTRA stress.
So now, that’s double the stress on your
body and endocrine system (hormones).
This is a bad thing.
However, that’s just the beginning of the
negativity.
These days, most people already have adrenal
fatigue due to an overproduction of adrenaline.
Our lives are very complicated now, compared
to 100+ years ago.
We are getting bombarded with “stuff”
all day long and being pulled in different
directions, all the time… which is very
stressful.
Which is why we feel overwhelmed and unmotivated.
Your phone alone is a massive “stresser”.
Driving and all that goes along with it, another
massive stressor.
We have more responsibilities and information
coming at us, ALL day long.
From first thing in the morning, all the way
till bedtime.
We work more and longer hours and yet, we
are sleeping LESS and less deeply.
Thus, your nervous and adrenal system does
NOT have time to recover properly and fully.
People don’t even realize this because we
are just now “used” this … we just tolerate
it.
So what does all this mean?...
Most people have elevated levels of stress
hormones.
Some have it so bad that it has just burnt
out their adrenal glands and thus, they need
stimulants such as caffeine and coffee just
to feel “normal” and “get through the
day”.
All of this now causes a massive hormonal
imbalance and thus, more stress hormones such
as cortisol ends up causing a decrease in
both total and free testosterone levels.
Remember, the opposite of testosterone is
NOT the female hormone estrogen, but the stress
hormone - cortisol!
Prolonged stress also causes negative changes
in other key hormones such as insulin, Growth
Hormones, IGF, Prolactin, Thyroid and so forth.
All of these will cause NEGATIVE changes in
how you look and feel.
This mean, less muscle and more fat.
You’ll also have less motivation and drive,
including in the bedroom and thus, lowered
libido and erectile problems for guys.
Bottom Line
The bottom line here is that you want to manage
stress levels and NOT add to them.
Taking pre workout stimulants, energy drinks
and other products that have caffeine and
similar compounds, ADDS to an already stressed
body.
Yes, you’ll feel a short-term increase in
performance, but the price will be a DECREASE
in long-term results.
Remember, you want to lower stress levels
- NOT add to them.
If any of today’s video makes sense to you…
if you’re tired or you need caffeine products
to just feel normal or to have a good workout…
if you feel like your testosterone levels
aren’t where they should be…
If you’re not as motivated or happy or excited
about life, then one potential cause is “over
stress”.
It’s time you heal your body and I’ve
two links below, in the description area.
One is about improving your testosterone and
hormone levels, so you can build more muscle,
lose fat and have better sex drive.
The second is about improving your energy
levels, memory and cognition, WITHOUT the
use of stimulants, such as caffeine.
You’ll help repair adrenal fatigue.
Take a look either one or both links, based
on what you want and need.
Thanks for listening and have a happy day!
