4. Recreational Drug and Alcohol Use
The use of recreational drugs and overindulgence in alcohol are both factors contributing to the growth of gynecomastia in men. Consuming alcohol reduces your testosterone output while increasing estrogen. Men who drink on a daily basis may develop gynecomastia due to suppressed testosterone levels and increased presence of estrogen in the blood.
The abuse of amphetamines, such as crystal meth and Adderall, also creates hormone imbalances that can lead to the growth of breast tissue in men.
Opiates and opioids, such as heroin, Methadone, and the abuse or misuse of prescription synthetic opioid painkillers, such as hydrocodone, also increase risk factors associated with the development of gynecomastia.
Various studies on marijuana show that administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC,) to rats produces growth in mammary gland tissue. THC, the active psychedelic ingredient in marijuana, affects the endocrine system in many different ways, including decreasing the production of testosterone while increasing the presence of estrogen in the body.