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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
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Ipamorelin

GHRP / Ghrelin Receptor Agonist

also known as NNC 26-0161

Pentapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that selectively activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on the anterior pituitary, eliciting GH release without the cortisol or prolactin elevation characteristic of earlier GHRPs. Originally characterised by Raun et al. (1998); preferred GHRP partner for GHRH analogues like tesamorelin and CJC-1295.

§ I

At a glance

Per dose
200–300 mcg
[raun-1998]
Evidence level
Phase 1
[raun-1998][sigalos-2018]
Half-life
~2 hr
[raun-1998]
Route

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

§ II

Mechanism

Primary target — Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitary [raun-1998].

Pathway — GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosis [raun-1998][bowers-1991].

Downstream effect — GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effects [bowers-2002].

Origin — Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivity [raun-1998].

Feedback intact — Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback active [bowers-2002].

§ III

Dosage

Protocols described in the cited literature; not medical advice.

ParameterValue
Standard dose200–300 mcg per injection [raun-1998]Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
Frequency1–3× per dayOnce daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
Lower / starter dose100 mcg per dose
Evidence basisPhase 1 + clinical practice [raun-1998][sigalos-2018]
Duration8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
ReconstitutionBacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
TimingPre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
Half-life~2 hours [raun-1998]Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).
§ 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 Ipamorelin'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.

Cortisol elevationmild
Negligible vs other GHRPs [raun-1998]
Prolactin elevationmild
Negligible [raun-1998]
Hungermild
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
Injection site reactionmild
Mild irritation possible
GH excess (overdose)moderate
Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance
IGF-1 elevationmoderate
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use
Cancer risksevere
Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OBsevere
Avoid
Absolute contraindications
  • — Active malignancy or cancer history
  • — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • — Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative contraindications
  • — Untreated diabetes
  • — Severe insulin resistance
  • — Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
§ VI

Administration

  1. 01
    Reconstitution

    Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

  2. 02
    Injection site

    Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

  3. 03
    Timing

    Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

  4. 04
    Storage

    Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

  5. 05
    Needle

    29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

§ VII

Synergies

strong synergy
+
Ipamorelin + Tesamorelin

Ipamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.

Primary benefit — Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth
strong synergy
+
Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC)

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.

Primary benefit — Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern
Appendix

Sources

37%

of 57 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.

  1. [bowers-1991]
    Bowers 1991 — GH releasing peptides — structure and kinetics
    J Pediatr Endocrinol, 1991
    PubMed →
  2. [bowers-2002]
    Bowers 2002 — Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development
    JCEM, 2002
    Source →
  3. [ionescu-2006]
    Ionescu 2006 — Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone induced by a new GH releasing factor analog (CJC-1295) in subjects with adult GH deficiency
    J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006
    PubMed →
  4. [raun-1998]
    Raun 1998 — Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
    Eur J Endocrinol, 1998
    PubMed →
  5. [sigalos-2018]
    Sigalos 2018 — The safety and efficacy of growth hormone secretagogues
    Sex Med Rev, 2018
    PubMed →
  6. [teichman-2006]
    Teichman 2006 — Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295
    J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006
    PubMed →
Plate composed 2026-04-25 · maturity reviewed · schema v1 · Contributors: peptidesdb-core · 36 fields uncited — open contributions
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