IPA

Ipamorelin

Growth Hormone Phase 1 / early human

A selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release. In swine, it did not raise ACTH or cortisol at doses >200x the GH ED50 (Raun 1998).

Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)

Not FDA-approved. Ipamorelin is not among the peptides the 2026 PCAC voted on.

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.

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

TL;DR — Ipamorelin at a Glance

Ipamorelin is a compound with only early, small human studies so far. A selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release.

Half-life2 hours
How it's given in studiesSubcutaneous injection
Research stagePhase 1 / early human
Dosing
Published research: Healthy men: IV infusion of 4.21-140.45 nmol/kg over 15 min, n=8 per dose
detailsHealthy men: i.v. infusion of 4.21-140.45 nmol/kg over 15 min, n=8 per dose (Gobburu 1999). That is roughly 3-100 µg/kg. Rats and swine were dosed in nmol/kg (Raun 1998).
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, and in animal studies it did not raise stress hormones. Selective ghrelin-receptor (growth hormone secretagogue) agonist that stimulates pituitary GH release. In swine, unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, it did not raise ACTH or cortisol above GHRH-stimulated levels, even at doses over 200-fold the effective dose (Raun 1998); in healthy volunteers it produced a single episode of GH release (Gobburu 1999).

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.

  • ClinicalIn a human dose-escalation study: GH release modelled in healthy volunteers (Gobburu 1999)

What Users Report (Community, Not Clinical)

Commonly reported protocol

Community-reportedUsers have reported doses of 100–300 mcg (subcutaneous injection). This is not a recommendation.

What users report

  • Community-reportedImproved recovery
  • Community-reportedBetter sleep quality
  • Community-reportedFat loss support
  • Community-reportedMuscle preservation

Side effects users report

  • Community-reportedMild hunger increase
  • Community-reportedWater retention
  • Community-reportedNumbness in extremities
  • Community-reportedHead rush

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

  • Human safety data limited to short-term PK/PD studies

References

  1. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers
    Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmaceutical research. 1999. PMID: 10496658.
    Study type: Human dose-escalation, 5 doses x n=8.
    DOI: 10.1023/a:1018955126402 · PubMed
  2. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
    Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, Thøgersen H, Madsen K, Ankersen M et al. European journal of endocrinology. 1998. PMID: 9849822.
    Study type: Rat + swine.
    DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552 · PubMed

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How Ipamorelin Compares

PeptideHalf-LifeRouteResearch Status
Ipamorelin2 hoursSubcutaneous 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
GHRP-6No published PK data foundSubcutaneous injectionPhase 1 / early human

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

Compare Ipamorelin with…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ipamorelin?
A selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release. In swine, it did not raise ACTH or cortisol at doses >200x the GH ED50 (Raun 1998).
How does Ipamorelin work?
In plain terms: It acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin to trigger growth hormone release, and in animal studies it did not raise stress hormones. Selective ghrelin-receptor (growth hormone secretagogue) agonist that stimulates pituitary GH release. In swine, unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, it did not raise ACTH or cortisol above GHRH-stimulated levels, even at doses over 200-fold the effective dose (Raun 1998); in healthy volunteers it produced a single episode of GH release (Gobburu 1999).
What is the research status of Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin 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 Ipamorelin?
Reported half-life: 2 hours.
How is Ipamorelin 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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