Growth hormone peptides

Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue, specifically a ghrelin-receptor agonist (a GHRP). In plain terms: instead of injecting growth hormone, it signals your pituitary to release a clean pulse of your own, without much effect on hunger or stress hormones.

CJC-1295 with DAC is a long-acting GHRH analog, a copy of the hormone that tells your body to make growth hormone, with a molecular anchor ('DAC') that keeps it working for days. In plain terms: it raises your own growth hormone steadily from a single weekly or twice-weekly shot.

CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29) is the short-acting version of the same GHRH analog. In plain terms: it gives a quick pulse of growth hormone closer to your body's natural rhythm, then clears fast, so it is usually paired with ipamorelin.

Sermorelin is a GHRH analog, a shortened copy of the natural hormone that prompts growth hormone release. In plain terms: it encourages your body to make more of its own growth hormone, a gentler approach than injecting the hormone directly.

Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH analog. In plain terms: it tells your body to make more growth hormone, and it is specifically proven to shrink deep belly fat. It is FDA-approved for HIV-related belly fat.

GHRP-2 is a growth hormone releasing peptide (a ghrelin-receptor agonist). In plain terms: it signals a strong pulse of your own growth hormone, a bigger boost than ipamorelin, though it also nudges appetite and stress hormones up a bit.

Hexarelin is a potent growth hormone releasing peptide. In plain terms: it strongly signals growth hormone release and has even shown heart-protective effects, but the body adapts to it quickly, so it stops working well with continued use.

MK-677 (ibutamoren) is a ghrelin-receptor agonist and, unlike the injectable peptides here, a small molecule that works as a daily pill. In plain terms: it keeps your own growth hormone and IGF-1 raised around the clock for sleep, appetite, muscle, and skin, without needles.

HGH (somatropin) is lab-made human growth hormone itself, injected directly rather than coaxed out of your body. In plain terms: it is the most powerful option for muscle, fat loss, and recovery, but also the priciest and the most likely to cause side effects if misused. It is prescription-only.

This is a blend of two growth-hormone signals. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog and tells the pituitary gland to make more growth hormone. Ipamorelin works on a separate receptor and adds a pulse on top. In plain terms: they push the same growth hormone release through two different doors, in one injection.

This is a blend of two growth-hormone signals. Sermorelin is a GHRH analog and tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. Ipamorelin acts on a different receptor and adds a pulse. In plain terms: the same idea as the CJC-1295 combo, using the older and shorter-acting GHRH.

GHRP-1 is a growth hormone releasing peptide from the same 1980s research programme as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. In plain terms: it signals a pulse of your own growth hormone, and it is the one member of the family that development moved past.

GHRP-3 is named individually on the WADA prohibited list as a growth hormone releasing peptide. In plain terms: a doping authority bans it by name, and beyond that there is almost nothing published about what it is.

GHRP-4 is a four-amino-acid growth hormone releasing peptide. In plain terms: it acts on the same receptor as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, and unlike them it has no human research behind it at all.

GHRP-5 is a five-amino-acid growth hormone releasing peptide. In plain terms: it belongs to the same family as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, and what is published about it stops at its molecular weight.

Anamorelin is an oral drug that activates the ghrelin receptor, the same target as GHRP-2 and ipamorelin. In plain terms: it raises appetite and lean mass in people with cancer wasting, it is approved in Japan for exactly that, and US regulators were not convinced.

Macimorelin is an oral ghrelin receptor agonist approved by the FDA. In plain terms: it is given once, as a test to find out whether someone's pituitary can release growth hormone, not as something anyone takes repeatedly.

MK-777, also sold as Acetamoren, is marketed as a second-generation ghrelin receptor agonist and successor to MK-677, with claimed improvements in receptor selectivity and side effect profile. In plain terms: it is sold as a cleaner version of MK-677, and there is no published research on it at all.