Growth Hormone Secretagogue Research Peptides Guide
Overview
This guide covers 12 research peptides in the Growth Hormone Secretagogue category. Each compound is evaluated on its evidence base, mechanism, safety profile, and current clinical status.
Ipamorelin — Preclinical
Evidence: D | Status: Research-only / Not approved for human use
Ipamorelin is the most selective growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) available, a synthetic pentapeptide (MW ~711.86 g/mol, formula C38H49N9O5) that stimulates pulsatile GH release from the pituitary gland without significantly affecting cortisol,...
Use cases: Anti-Aging, Body Composition, Sleep
CJC-1295 — Preclinical
Evidence: D | Status: Research-only / Not approved for human use
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) originally developed by ConjuChem Technologies for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It exists in two forms: with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) for extended half-life of 5.8-8.
Use cases: Anti-Aging, Body Composition
Sermorelin — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence: C | Status: Previously FDA-approved (Geref, discontinued); now used off-label via compounding
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide (MW ~3357.9 g/mol) corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of naturally occurring growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).
Use cases: Anti-Aging, Body Composition, Sleep
Tesamorelin — FDA Approved
Evidence: A | Status: FDA-approved (Egrifta SV 2019, Egrifta WR March 2025) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Tesamorelin (tesamorelin acetate) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and the only FDA-approved medication for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy, marketed as...
Use cases: Body Composition
GHRP-6 — Preclinical
Evidence: D | Status: Research-only / Not approved for human use
GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6) is a synthetic hexapeptide that functions as a potent growth hormone secretagogue by binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a).
Use cases: Body Composition
GHRP-2 — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence: C | Status: Approved in Japan for GH deficiency diagnosis; research-only elsewhere
GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, MW ~817.97 g/mol) that stimulates potent, dose-dependent GH release via the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R).
Use cases: Body Composition
MK-677 — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence: C | Status: Multiple Phase II trials completed. Not FDA-approved. Investigational.
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a potent, long-acting, orally-active, non-peptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that stimulates growth hormone release without injections.
Use cases: Anti-Aging, Body Composition, Sleep
Hexarelin — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence: C | Status: Phase II completed. Development discontinued due to tolerance/desensitization concerns.
Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). It is considered one of the most potent GHRPs available, stimulating greater GH release than GHRH alone.
Use cases: Body Composition, Anti-Aging
Alexamorelin — Preclinical
Evidence: D | Status: Preclinical only. No clinical trials registered or completed.
Alexamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) structurally related to GHRP-6. It was investigated as a GH secretagogue in limited preclinical studies but never advanced to meaningful clinical development.
Use cases: Growth Hormone Research
Tabimorelin — Phase I–II Clinical Trials
Evidence: C | Status: Phase II completed. Development discontinued.
Tabimorelin (NN703) is a synthetic, orally active growth hormone secretagogue developed by Novo Nordisk. It completed Phase II clinical trials demonstrating significant GH release in both healthy subjects and GH-deficient adults.
Use cases: Growth Hormone Research
Macimorelin — FDA Approved
Evidence: A | Status: FDA-approved (December 2017) as a diagnostic test for adult GH deficiency.
Macimorelin (Macrilen) is an orally active growth hormone secretagogue that received FDA approval in December 2017 as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). It is the only FDA-approved oral GH secretagogue in the United States.
Use cases: GH Deficiency Diagnosis
Anamorelin — Phase III / Regulatory Approval (Japan)
Evidence: B | Status: Approved in Japan (2021) for cancer cachexia. Phase III trials completed (ROMANA 1 & 2). Not FDA/EMA approved.
Anamorelin is a synthetic, orally active ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist developed for the treatment of cancer-related cachexia.
Use cases: Cachexia Treatment, Appetite Stimulation, Lean Mass Preservation
Related Products
Related Research News
CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin: Growth Hormone Research Guide
CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin represent key compounds in growth hormone research, targeting distinct pathways for GH and IGF-1 signaling. CJC-1295 with DAC acts as a long-acting GHRH analogue with a half-life of 5.8 to 8.1 days, while Ipamorelin functions as a selective growth hormone secretagogue via the ghrelin receptor. Together, they support studies on metabolism, recovery, and body composition.
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin: Growth Hormone Stack Mechanics
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin form the most studied growth hormone peptide combination in research. They target separate receptor pathways to boost GH secretion through the somatotropic axis. This stack produces amplified GH pulses, with preclinical data showing 3 to 5 times baseline levels versus 1.5 to 2 times alone.
Synergistic Growth Hormone Effects of Sermorelin and Ipamorelin Blend
Research peptides Sermorelin and Ipamorelin may work together to boost growth hormone release from pituitary cells through distinct pathways. Sermorelin mimics the active part of natural GHRH, while Ipamorelin targets GHS-R1a receptors selectively. Laboratory studies indicate this combination could produce higher hGH peaks than either alone, with potential anabolic benefits via IGF-1.