Growth hormone secretagogue
GHRP-6
A ghrelin-receptor secretagogue that reliably raises growth hormone and hunger; unapproved and prohibited in sport.
What it is
GHRP-6 is a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide that mimics ghrelin, the stomach hormone that signals hunger. It was developed to stimulate growth-hormone release and is still used in laboratory research on appetite and the growth-hormone axis. It is not approved as a medicine anywhere and is on the WADA prohibited list.
How it works
- 1
Activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary and hypothalamus.
- 2
Triggers growth-hormone release directly rather than through GHRH priming.
- 3
Strongly stimulates appetite through the same receptor circuits that make ghrelin hunger-inducing — the reason it is a poor fit for anyone trying to lose fat.
- 4
Raises IGF-1 secondarily with repeated use.
- 5
Acts on a different receptor from GHRH analogues, so the two are often combined in research.
What it's studied for
Reported and studied effects
- A clear growth-hormone pulse after dosing
- Marked increase in hunger — the effect it is best known for
- Raised IGF-1 with repeated use
- Water retention and joint stiffness in the growth-hormone class
Research protocol notes
Research context onlyResearch context only — no approved protocol exists. Human studies used single microgram-per-kilogram doses to measure growth-hormone response. Community schedules of 100–300 micrograms two or three times daily are widespread online but have never been evaluated for safety or outcome, and are prohibited in sport.
These figures are described so you can understand what researchers did. They are not a dose, a schedule, or a suggestion — and they are not a substitute for a doctor.
Possible side effects and contraindications
Safety profile
Possible side effects
- Intense hunger
- Headache, flushing and dizziness
- Water retention, joint pain
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Possible desensitisation of the growth-hormone response with continuous use
Contraindications and cautions
- Cancer history or active malignancy
- Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood
- Prohibited in competitive sport
A side-effect list is never complete, and these are not the only situations that warrant caution. Anything unexpected, or anything you are unsure about, should be discussed with a doctor before use.
Evidence assessment
Human studies confirm it raises growth hormone and appetite, but there are no controlled trials of the muscle, fat-loss or recovery claims made for it, and it is unapproved.
References
- 01GHRP-6 growth hormone and appetite — PubMed search
- 02Ghrelin receptor agonists and GH secretion — PubMed search
- 03World Anti-Doping Agency — Prohibited List
References link to published literature, regulator pages or literature indexes. Where a link points to a search, it collects the peer-reviewed work on that molecule rather than a single study.
Related
Related peptides
Other entries in Growth hormone secretagogue.
Growth hormone secretagogue
CJC-1295
A modified growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue whose albumin binding gives it an unusually long action. Studied in small human trials; not an approved medicine.
Growth hormone secretagogue
CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin blend
The classic growth-hormone stack in one vial: a GHRH fragment with a secretagogue, unapproved and prohibited in sport.
Growth hormone secretagogue
CJC-1295 (no DAC) / mod GRF 1-29
The short-acting sister of CJC-1295: a GHRH fragment that produces brief growth-hormone pulses instead of sustained elevation.