Ipamorelin
Selective GHS-R1a hexapeptide (Raun 1998, PMID 9849822). Quieter cortisol/prolactin/appetite than GHRP-6. Research chemical, not HGH, not an FDA anti-aging drug.
Use-case scores
0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.
- Muscle / recomp4/10
Raun 1998 is selectivity/GH-release pharmacology in animals and humans, not a hypertrophy RCT. Community ceiling after haircut: 4.
- Recovery & sleep3.5/10
Night pulses are GH physiology plus forums. Not a sleep trial.
Compound card
- Sequence
- Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
- Class
- Selective GHS-R1a hexapeptide (research; not a US GH drug)
- Formula
- C38H49N9O5
- Status
- Not FDA-approved · research use
How it works
Ipamorelin is a highly selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide (GHSP) that acts as a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. Its defining characteristic is selectivity: unlike GHRP-6 and GHRP-2, Ipamorelin stimulates GH release without significantly elevating cortisol, prolactin, or appetite. That is the Raun 1998 story (Eur J Endocrinol, PMID 9849822), not a “cleanest anti-aging drug” label.
Ipamorelin stimulates the pituitary gland to release stored GH in a pulsatile pattern. It is often combined with CJC-1295 (no DAC) because GHRH and GHS-R are different receptors. Dual-receptor synergy is pharmacology. It is not a licensed GH product.
Source: PMID: 9849822
Goal context
Clean GHRP in a GHRH stack
Ipamorelin is the selective GHS-R1a pick clinics pair with Mod GRF / CJC no-DAC. Cortisol/prolactin sparing vs GHRP-6 is the Raun 1998 story, not a cleanliness ranking from a head-to-head recomp RCT.
Not somatropin
A research hexapeptide pulse is not prescription GH. Dual-receptor synergy with a GHRH analog is pharmacology, not a licensed product.
Background & History
Ipamorelin is a GHS-R1a hexapeptide from Novo screening (Raun 1998). Selectivity vs first-generation GHRPs is the pharmacology story. It is not FDA-approved HGH and not a sleep drug.
Research Use Cases
- ✓Selective GHRP identity vs GHRP-2/6 and hexarelin
- ✓Why it is the default stack partner for Mod GRF
- ✓Not a somatopause or body-recomp NDA
Dosing
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Protocol | 100 - 200 mcg | 1-3× daily | Inject fasted. 1hr no food before, 30min after. Most popular: before bed + upon waking. |
| Stacked with CJC-1295 | 100 mcg Ipamorelin + 100 mcg CJC-1295 No DAC | 1-3× daily | Industry gold-standard GH stack. Synergistic amplitude and initiation. |
Administration
Timeline
Who it is for
GH Optimization (Clean)
HighSelective GH release without cortisol, prolactin, or appetite spikes - the cleanest GHRP.
Anti-Aging / Longevity
ModerateLong-term GH/IGF-1 support with minimal systemic side effects.
Reconstitution
| Vial | Water | Concentration | Example dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg lyophilized | 2.5 mL BAC | 2 mg/mL | 200 mcg = 0.10 mL = 10 units on a U-100. |
Change vial size or water volume? Open the reconstitution calculator.
Safety & Considerations
Research peptide with a favorable safety profile in studies. May cause transient headache or lightheadedness. Minimal effect on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite (unlike GHRP-6). Inject on an empty stomach for optimal GH pulse.
Regulatory & Legal Status
Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping controls should not use Ipamorelin.
Compounded Drug (Rx)
US Compounding: Available via licensed pharmacy Rx
⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.
Limits of current evidence
- Selectivity vs GHRP-6 is the paper. Body-recomp timelines are community.
- Do not print a 2–5× GH multiplier for ipa + Mod GRF as if it were a trial endpoint.
- Research chemical in the US wellness market. Not Geref. Not Egrifta.
Human evidence
Moderate · selectivity pharmacology (not a hypertrophy RCT)
- Raun 1998 (PMID 9849822) is selectivity/GH-release pharmacology — not a hypertrophy or anti-aging RCT.
- Research chemical in the US wellness market. Not Geref. Not Egrifta.
Verdict
Ipamorelin is the GHRP people mean when they say “clean.” Raun 1998 (PMID 9849822) is why cortisol/prolactin/appetite are quieter than GHRP-6. It is not HGH, not FDA-approved for anti-aging, and a stack slogan is not a label.
Interactions & Contraindications
Food/insulin can blunt the pulse. Do not add somatropin because IGF-1 is already high. Somatostatin analogs antagonize GH release.
Synergies & Common Stacks
Classic GHRH+GHRP mix. Dual-receptor physiology is real. “2–5× more GH than either alone” is not a trial endpoint at 100/100 mcg.
Weekly albumin-binder plus a daily pulse peptide is convenience folklore. Confirm you are not double-counting Teichman.
Ipamorelin vs. GHRP-6
Canonical comparison: Ipamorelin vs GHRP-6
| Attribute | Ipamorelin | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Selectivity | High - GH only, no cortisol/prolactin | Low - GH + cortisol + prolactin + ghrelin |
| Appetite Effect | Minimal stimulation | Strong appetite stimulation |
| GH Output | Moderate, clean, dose-dependent | Strong, non-selective pulse |
| Best For | Anti-aging, long-term clean protocol | Muscle building, caloric surplus phase |
| Side Effects | Minimal (transient water retention) | More (hunger, cortisol elevation) |
Verdict: Ipamorelin is cleaner and better tolerated for long-term use. GHRP-6 is better for appetite-driven muscle-building phases where hunger stimulation is a feature, not a bug.
Ipamorelin vs. CJC-1295 (No DAC)
Canonical comparison: Ipamorelin vs CJC-1295 (No DAC)
| Attribute | Ipamorelin | CJC-1295 (No DAC) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRP (ghrelin mimetic) | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone) |
| Mechanism | Triggers GH pulse via pituitary | Amplifies GH pulse amplitude |
| Stacked Together | Industry gold-standard combination | Industry gold-standard combination |
| Half-Life | ~2 hours | ~30 minutes |
| Solo Effectiveness | Moderate GH pulse alone | Moderate amplitude increase alone |
Verdict: Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (No DAC) is the most widely used GH optimization stack in current protocols. They are complementary, not competing: GHRP initiates the pulse, GHRH amplifies it.
Appears in goal guides
Goal guides are maps, not clinic protocols. A mention here is not a treatment plan.
Anti-Aging & Cellular Longevity
Educational map of GH secretagogues, pineal cytogens, and dermal peptides used in longevity folklore. Telomerase and “youthful gene expression” are not a US anti-aging indication.
Hypertrophic Muscle & Recomposition
GHRH/GHRP stacks versus somatropin. Secretagogues pulse endogenous GH; they are not a hypertrophy NDA.
Ultimate Athletic Performance
Muscle and vascular cytomax plus BPC-157/TB-500 and GH secretagogues as they show up in athletic folklore. Injectable repair peptides are WADA-prohibited. This is not a doping pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ipamorelin better than GHRP-6?▼
What is the standard Ipamorelin dose?▼
How long does it take to see results from Ipamorelin?▼
References
- Raun et al. “"Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue".” European Journal of Endocrinology (1998). PMID: 9849822
- Raun K, et al. “Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue.” Eur J Endocrinol (1998). PMID: 9703375
- Gobburu JV, et al. “Safety and tolerability of ipamorelin in healthy subjects.” Growth Horm IGF Res (2009). PMID: 19411194
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