Growth Hormone Peptides
GH secretagogues and releasing peptides for natural growth hormone optimization. These peptides stimulate your pituitary gland to produce and release more growth hormone, supporting body composition, recovery, sleep quality, and overall vitality.
Category Overview
Growth hormone (GH) production naturally declines with age — roughly 14% per decade after age 30. GH secretagogues work by stimulating the body's own GH production rather than providing synthetic GH directly. This maintains physiological feedback loops and pulsatile release patterns.
Two main classes exist: GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, tesamorelin, sermorelin) that increase the amount of GH produced, and GHRPs/GHS (ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6) that increase the intensity of GH release pulses. Combining one from each class produces synergistic effects.
Tesamorelin is the only FDA-approved GH secretagogue, providing the strongest evidence base. Research peptides like CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are widely used in integrative medicine but lack formal FDA approval for GH optimization.
All Growth Hormone Peptides
The only FDA-approved GH secretagogue. GHRH analog approved for HIV lipodystrophy. Proven to reduce visceral fat and increase GH/IGF-1 levels with a well-characterized safety profile.
Long-acting GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex for extended half-life (~8 days). Provides sustained GH elevation. Often used alone or combined with a GHRP.
Short-acting GHRH analog (30 min half-life). Preferred for more physiological, pulsatile GH release. The most common GHRH analog used in combination protocols with ipamorelin.
Selective GHRP that stimulates GH release without significant cortisol or prolactin elevation. Considered the cleanest GH secretagogue with the best side effect profile.
Potent growth hormone-releasing peptide. Stronger GH release than ipamorelin but with more cortisol and prolactin elevation. Moderate appetite stimulation.
Powerful GH releaser with strong ghrelin-like appetite stimulation. Best for those wanting GH benefits plus appetite increase (e.g., underweight individuals). Significant cortisol effect.
Strongest acute GH release of any GHRP. However, rapid desensitization limits long-term use. Significant cortisol and prolactin spikes. More useful for short-term protocols.
Non-peptide oral GH secretagogue. Convenient oral dosing and long half-life. Concerns include increased appetite, water retention, insulin resistance, and numbness/tingling.
Original synthetic GHRH analog. Was FDA-approved for GH deficiency diagnosis and treatment but discontinued commercially. Replaced by tesamorelin in clinical practice.
Fragment of growth hormone (aa 177-191) that mimics GH's fat-metabolizing effects without full GH activity. Does not raise IGF-1. Failed as a weight loss drug.
Disclaimer: Most GH secretagogues are research compounds not FDA-approved for GH optimization. Manipulating growth hormone levels carries risks including insulin resistance, water retention, and potential effects on tumor growth. This guide is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider before using any GH peptide therapy.