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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
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IXPlate IXReviewed 2026-04-25

GHRP-6

GHRP / Ghrelin Receptor Agonist

also known as GHRP6, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys

Earlier-generation hexapeptide GHRP — His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂. Among the first GHRPs characterised by the Bowers lab. Produces strong GH release plus pronounced appetite stimulation via ghrelin-receptor agonism. Largely superseded by ipamorelin (selectivity) and GHRP-2 (potency without the same hunger), but retains niche use where caloric intake support is desired.

§ I

At a glance

Per dose
100–200 mcg
[bowers-1990-ghrp2]
Evidence level
Phase 1
[bowers-1990-ghrp2]
Half-life
~15 min
[malagon-1999]
Route

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

§ II

Mechanism

Primary target — Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) [bowers-1990-ghrp2].

Pathway — GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release; central appetite drive [bowers-2002].

Downstream effect — GH pulse + strong appetite stimulation; modest IGF-1 elevation [bowers-2002].

Origin — Synthetic hexapeptide; first-generation GHRP from Bowers group [bowers-1990-ghrp2].

§ III

Dosage

Protocols described in the cited literature; not medical advice.

ParameterValue
Standard dose100–200 mcg per injection [bowers-1990-ghrp2]
Frequency1–3× per day
Lower / starter dose50 mcg per dose
Evidence basisPhase 1 + clinical practice [bowers-1990-ghrp2]
Duration8–12 weeks on / 4 off
ReconstitutionBacteriostatic water
TimingPre-meal preferred for appetite support
Half-life~15 min [malagon-1999]
§ III · b

Reconstitution

A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.

Inputs
The calculator does pure mass-to-volume math. It does not recommend a dose. Refer to GHRP-6's cited literature for protocol specifics.
Volumetric outputFig. C — reconstitution math
Volume per dose
0.100mL
≈ 10.0 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
Concentration
2500
mcg per mL
Doses per vial
20
at this dose
§ V

Adverse events

Severities follow the FDA / CTCAE convention.

Hungermoderate
Pronounced — defining feature vs ipamorelin
Cortisol elevationmild
Mild
Prolactin elevationmild
Mild
Injection site reactionmild
Mild
Cancer risksevere
Contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OBsevere
Avoid
Absolute contraindications
  • — Active malignancy
  • — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative contraindications
  • — Severe insulin resistance (appetite-driven caloric load)
§ VI

Administration

  1. 01
    Reconstitution

    Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.

  2. 02
    Injection site

    SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

  3. 03
    Timing

    Pre-meal for appetite support; pre-sleep for GH alignment.

  4. 04
    Storage

    Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

  5. 05
    Needle

    29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

Appendix

Sources

28%

of 36 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.

  1. [bowers-1990-ghrp2]
    Bowers 1990 — Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide stimulates GH release in normal men
    JCEM, 1990
    PubMed →
  2. [bowers-2002]
    Bowers 2002 — Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development
    JCEM, 2002
    Source →
  3. [malagon-1999]
    Malagón 1999 — Comparative GHRP-6 vs GHRP-2 GH-axis kinetics
    Endocrinology, 1999
    Source →
Plate composed 2026-04-25 · maturity reviewed · schema v1 · Contributors: peptidesdb-core · 26 fields uncited — open contributions
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