GHRP6

GHRP-6

Growth Hormone Phase 1 / early human

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, the first generation GHRP known for strong appetite stimulation. In a study of 6 healthy men, 1 microg/kg IV produced a peak GH of ~55 microg/L.

Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)

Not FDA-approved. Not among the peptides listed in the April 2026 503A Category 2 removals or the July 2026 PCAC votes; no lawful compounded pathway. WADA-prohibited (PMID 26578461).

See the FDA peptide regulatory tracker · Read our July 27, 2026 dispatch on the FDA PCAC peptide vote
Educational summary. Every effect described below is drawn from the cited published research and describes what was observed in research subjects — not a promise of results, a dose recommendation, or an endorsement for human use. Many peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decision. Full disclaimer.

6 studies referenced · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · Reviewed by The Peptide Dispatch Editorial Team · How we research & label content

TL;DR — GHRP-6 at a Glance

GHRP-6 is a compound with only early, small human studies so far. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, the first generation GHRP known for strong appetite stimulation.

Half-lifeNot established in published research
How it's given in studiesSubcutaneous injection
Research stagePhase 1 / early human
Dosing
Published research: 1 microgram/kg body weight IV bolus, and 5, 15 and 30 micrograms/kg intranasally, in 6 healthy men…
details1 microgram/kg body weight IV bolus, and 5, 15 and 30 micrograms/kg intranasally, in 6 healthy men (dose-related GH rise). Other human endocrine studies used GHRP-2/GHRH infusions at microgram/kg doses.
Community-reportedCommunity-reported: 100–300 mcg, subcutaneous injection

Published-research dosing is what was given in the cited studies (species and units as reported). Community-reported dosing is what users describe, not from clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation. Not medical advice.

Where each point comes from: Clinicalhuman trials and FDA labels   Lab / animalrodent, cell and ex vivo studies   Community-reporteduser experience and commonly used protocols, not from clinical studies

How It Works

In plain terms: It acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin to trigger growth hormone release. Ghrelin mimetic (growth hormone secretagogue) that stimulates GH release; in healthy men it raised GH, with slight increases in prolactin and cortisol (Hayashi 1991). Ghrelin and many synthetic secretagogues are described as stimulating appetite (review, Cordido 2009).

Effects Reported in Research

How to read this: Each item below is an effect observed in research subjects in the cited studies — think of Dexter, our stand-in research subject. These are findings from the literature, not results you should expect, and not medical advice.

  • ClinicalGH release: peak GH ~55 microg/L after 1 microg/kg IV in a study of 6 healthy men
  • ClinicalStimulates GH release in short-term human studies; effects on body composition or recovery have not been tested

What Users Report (Community, Not Clinical)

Commonly reported protocol

Community-reportedCommonly reported doses range from 100 to 300 mcg (subcutaneous injection). This is not a recommendation.

What users report

  • Community-reportedStrong appetite stimulation
  • Community-reportedRecovery enhancement
  • Community-reportedMuscle building support

Side effects users report

  • Community-reportedWater retention

Side effects reported in studies are listed separately below.

Community reports are anecdotal, vary widely in product quality and purity, and are not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider.

Side Effects and Safety Notes

  • ClinicalGH secretagogues of this class also stimulate prolactin and ACTH/cortisol secretion in human studies
  • Appetite stimulation via the ghrelin pathway
  • Effects on glucose homeostasis are described for ghrelin/GHS agents
  • Human safety data are limited to short-term physiology studies; no long-term safety data exist

Cardiac research

Beyond GH release, GHRP-6 has been studied in rat myocardial infarction and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity models. GHRPs such as hexarelin bind CD36 in addition to GHSR-1a (rat data).

  • Rat models: cardioprotection reported in myocardial infarction and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity models.
  • Dosing used in published research: Rats: 0.4 mg/kg (minimum effective inotropic dose) in post-MI model (2026); dogs: 300-2000 µg/kg/day IV for 28 days (CIGB-500 tox study).
  • Safety in animals: Dogs (IV, 28 d): hypersalivation, hypoactivity, reduced heart rate, erythema (CIGB-500 tox). Human cardiac safety data are limited.

References

  1. Intranasal administration of His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-LysNH2 (growth hormone releasing peptide) increased plasma growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in normal men
    Hayashi S, Okimura Y, Yagi H, Uchiyama T, Takeshima Y, Shakutsui S et al. Endocrinologia japonica. 1991. PMID: 1915110.
    Study type: Human physiology study, n=6 healthy men, IV and intranasal dosing.
    DOI: 10.1507/endocrj1954.38.15 · PubMed
  2. Ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogues, physiological and pharmacological aspect
    Cordido F, Isidro ML, Nemiña R, Sangiao-Alvarellos S. Current drug discovery technologies. 2009. PMID: 19275540.
    Study type: Narrative review.
    DOI: 10.2174/157016309787581048 · PubMed
  3. Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-6 (GHRP-6) Ameliorates Post-Infarct Ventricular Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction in a Model of Permanent Coronary Ligation
    Wang L, Rodriguez-Ulloa A, Berlanga-Acosta J, García-Ojalvo A, Abreu-Cruz A, Gonzalez-López LJ et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). 2026. PMID: 41901314.
    Study type: Rat MI model.
    DOI: 10.3390/ph19030468 · PubMed
  4. Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial and extra-myocardial damages by activating prosurvival mechanisms
    Berlanga-Acosta J, Cibrian D, Valiente-Mustelier J, Suárez-Alba J, García-Ojalvo A, Falcón-Cama V et al. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2024. PMID: 38873418.
    Study type: Rat doxorubicin cardiomyopathy model.
    DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1402138 · PubMed
  5. Subchronic safety assessment of CIGB-500 in beagle dog after repeated daily dose administration over 28 days
    Castro J, Shaikh I, Silo S, Hum C, Carrier M, DiFruscia R et al. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 2025. PMID: 40024561.
    Study type: Dog 28-day toxicology.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2025.105798 · PubMed
  6. The Growth Hormone Secretagogue Hexarelin Protects Rat Cardiomyocytes From in vivo Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Interleukin-1 Signaling Pathway
    Huang J, Li Y, Zhang J, Liu Y, Lu Q. International heart journal. 2017. PMID: 28321024.
    Study type: Rat I/R model (hexarelin).
    DOI: 10.1536/ihj.16-241 · PubMed

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How GHRP-6 Compares

PeptideHalf-LifeRouteResearch Status
GHRP-6No published PK data foundSubcutaneous injectionPhase 1 / early human
CJC-1295 (no DAC)No published PK data foundSubcutaneous injectionPreclinical (animal)
CJC-1295 (with DAC)6-8 daysSubcutaneous injectionPhase 1 / early human
GHRP-2No published PK data foundSubcutaneous injectionPhase 1 / early human
HexarelinNo published PK data foundSubcutaneous injectionPhase 1 / early human

Values reflect figures reported in published research. Compare any peptides side-by-side →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHRP-6?
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6, the first generation GHRP known for strong appetite stimulation. In a study of 6 healthy men, 1 microg/kg IV produced a peak GH of ~55 microg/L.
How does GHRP-6 work?
In plain terms: It acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin to trigger growth hormone release. Ghrelin mimetic (growth hormone secretagogue) that stimulates GH release; in healthy men it raised GH, with slight increases in prolactin and cortisol (Hayashi 1991). Ghrelin and many synthetic secretagogues are described as stimulating appetite (review, Cordido 2009).
What is the research status of GHRP-6?
GHRP-6 is at the following stage in the published literature: Phase 1 / early human. All information is for research and educational purposes only.
What is the half-life of GHRP-6?
Reported half-life: No published PK data found.
How is GHRP-6 administered in research?
Reported administration route in the literature: Subcutaneous injection. This is not a recommendation for human use.

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Category

This peptide belongs to the Growth Hormone category. View All Growth Hormone Peptides

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Sources & Methodology

Dosing, half-life figures, and mechanism descriptions on this page are compiled from peer-reviewed published research, with the species and study type stated where reported. Figures labeled “Dosing used in published research” describe what was given in those studies and do not constitute dosing recommendations for any human use. Each cited paper is listed with DOI and PubMed links in the References section above. Found an error? Contact us.

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