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GHRP-6

Gray market

Checked · 27 sources · 17 corrections on this page · No vendors · No affiliates · No one buys a word of it

4 human pilot studies

Limited Human Data · three growth-hormone tests, two with GHRH · a pharmacokinetic study

Gray market · FDA said no — on the do-not-compound list

Sold as a research chemical. Some clinics and pharmacies still supply it; that’s their risk, not a change in the rule.

Bottom line

Historically important (Bowers et al., 1984). Its human data for growth hormone are short GH tests and one record review of men who took it with GHRP-2 and sermorelin (Sigalos et al., 2017); the heart work has not reached people (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2017).

Also called
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-6
  • SKF-110679
  • His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
  • CAS 87616-84-0
Category
Peptide — Growth Hormone Secretagogue (Ghrelin Receptor Agonist)
Molecular Weight
872.46 g/mol
Sequence
6 amino acids (hexapeptide)
Half-life
7.6 min distribution, 2.5 h elimination (IV, healthy men)
Route (studied)
IV, SubQ (people) · SubQ, IV, IP (rats)
Route (sold)
SubQ vials (research chemical)
FDA Status
Investigational; 503A Category 3; 503B Category 2
Receptors
GHS-R1a + CD36
First Described
Bowers 1984, Endocrinology
WADA Status
Banned (S2)
Human Trials
GH stim testing + PK + pilots
Cost & Access
Research-only

Also for muscle & strength

The other four questions

What does it do? It releases growth hormone through the ghrelin receptor (Bowers et al., 1984; Howard et al., 1996), and most of that response depends on the body’s own GHRH (Pandya et al., 1998). Users describe hunger within 15–30 minutes. In pigs and rats it protected heart tissue, through a second receptor, CD36, its researchers propose (Berlanga et al., 2007; Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2017).
Who uses it? Researchers: its single-dose human studies are growth-hormone tests and a pharmacokinetic study (Pandya et al., 1998; Cabrales et al., 2013). Online it is sold as a research chemical and used for the hunger signal.
Does the evidence hold up? For growth-hormone release, yes, in short studies (Bowers et al., 1984; Pandya et al., 1998). For heart protection, in pigs and rats only (Berlanga et al., 2007; Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2024).
Bottom line? Historically important (Bowers et al., 1984). Its human data for growth hormone are short GH tests and one record review of men who took it with GHRP-2 and sermorelin (Sigalos et al., 2017); the heart work has not reached people (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2017).

Dosing from the Literature

Published for growth hormone: 1 µg/kg by IV as a single test dose in healthy men (Pandya et al., 1998), single IV doses of 100–400 µg/kg in a pharmacokinetic study of 9 healthy men (Cabrales et al., 2013), and 100 µg under the skin three times a day, with 100 µg each of GHRP-2 and sermorelin, in a record review of 14 men on testosterone (Sigalos et al., 2017). Not published: a trial of repeated use for muscle.

The rows give each study’s dose and population, and attribute the community figures; no dose is approved.

Study or sourceDoseScheduleWho, and what was found
GH test (Pandya et al., 1998)1 µg/kg IVSingle bolus, after saline or a GHRH antagonist9 healthy men aged 20–30. The antagonist removed most of the GH response
Pharmacokinetics (Cabrales et al., 2013)100, 200 or 400 µg/kg IVSingle bolus9 healthy men. Distribution half-life 7.6 min, elimination half-life 2.5 h
Record review (Sigalos et al., 2017)100 µg, with 100 µg each of GHRP-2 and sermorelinUnder the skin, 3 times a day; a mean of 134 days14 men on testosterone, aged 29–39. IGF-1 rose from 159.5 to 239.0 ng/mL; no control group
Heart attack model in pigs (Berlanga et al., 2007)400 µg/kgAgainst saline, around a 1-hour coronary occlusionFemale pigs. Infarct mass 78% smaller
Subcutaneous (community)100 µg, or 1 µg/kg2–3 times a dayWhat online guides describe
Dosing Disclaimer

GHRP-6 is investigational. The human study doses above were single doses in research settings, except the record review’s, prescribed three times a day with two other peptides; the community figures have no trial behind them. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.

→ Calculator — vial-to-syringe math

What It Is

GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-6, developmental code SKF-110679) is the original synthetic growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) — a hexapeptide (a chain of 6 amino acids) with the sequence His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 that stimulates pulsatile GH release from the anterior pituitary by activating the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). It is the founding member of the GHRP (a synthetic GH trigger) family from which GHRP-1, GHRP-2, hexarelin, and (less directly) ipamorelin were all derived. GHRP-6 has a molecular weight of approximately 872 g/mol.

GHRP-6 was developed and characterized in 1984 by American endocrinologist Cyril Y. Bowers and colleagues at Tulane University, who had observed in the late 1970s that certain D-amino-acid modifications of met-enkephalin produced unexpected GH-releasing activity in cultured pituitary cells. Through systematic structure-activity work, Bowers' team designed GHRP-6 as the first synthetic peptide to specifically and dose-dependently release GH both in vitro and in vivo through a mechanism entirely distinct from growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The 1984 Endocrinology paper from Bowers, Momany, Reynolds, and Hong is the foundational reference. This discovery had two enormous downstream consequences: it led to Howard et al.'s 1996 Science paper cloning the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), and it set up the 1999 Kojima et al. discovery of ghrelin — the natural endogenous ligand of the same receptor — which had been waiting to be found ever since the synthetic ligand was characterized.

For users in the optimization community, GHRP-6 sits in a particular niche: it is the original, the cheapest (off-patent and commoditized), and the most appetite-stimulating of the commonly used GH-releasing peptides. Its defining clinical feature compared to second-generation analogs (GHRP-2, ipamorelin) is the prominent ghrelin-mimetic hunger response — many users describe a strong, hard-to-ignore hunger pang within 15–30 minutes of injection that can be useful (in lean-bulking or appetite-stimulation contexts) or unwanted (in fat-loss contexts). It also has a more notable cortisol and prolactin signal than ipamorelin, which makes ipamorelin the preferred "clean" GHRP for most modern community protocols.

Outside the optimization community, GHRP-6 has been studied seriously by Cuban research groups (notably Berlanga-Acosta and colleagues at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana) for a separate non-GH indication — cytoprotection and cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity — through a CD36-mediated mechanism distinct from the GH-secretion pathway. This second mechanism is the most clinically interesting aspect of GHRP-6 in 2026 and gives it a potential clinical future independent of its endocrine pedigree.

Mechanism of Action

GHRP-6 acts through the ghrelin receptor for growth-hormone release; its Cuban researchers propose a second receptor, CD36, for its protective effects in animal hearts (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2017).

  • Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) — Bowers’ 1984 hexapeptide released growth hormone in a dose-related way in vitro and in rats, monkeys, lambs and calves, without releasing LH, FSH, TSH or prolactin (Bowers et al., 1984). Its receptor was cloned in 1996 from the pituitary and hypothalamus of pigs and people (Howard et al., 1996), and the natural ligand, ghrelin, was found in 1999 (Kojima et al., 1999).
  • Dependence on GHRH — In nine healthy men, a GHRH antagonist removed most of the GH response to 1 µg/kg of GHRP-6: the body’s own GHRH is needed for most of its effect (Pandya et al., 1998; PMID 9543138). Ghrelin and GHRH released GH synergistically in men (Hataya et al., 2001). Online protocols pair GHRPs with GHRH analogs on this basis.
  • Appetite — Ghrelin is the receptor’s natural ligand (Kojima et al., 1999); users describe hunger soon after GHRP-6. No appetite trial of GHRP-6 in people is cited here.
  • CD36 and the heart (animal data) — In rat hearts, the binding protein for hexarelin, a related GHRP, was CD36, and hexarelin’s rise in coronary perfusion pressure was absent in hearts lacking CD36 (Bodart et al., 2002). A 2017 review by the Cuban group says GHRPs bind both GHS-R1a and CD36, and that CD36 binding activates pro-survival pathways such as PI-3K/AKT1 (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2017).
  • Heart protection (animal data) — In pigs with a 1-hour coronary occlusion, 400 µg/kg cut infarct mass by 78% and preserved antioxidant defences (Berlanga et al., 2007). In rats given doxorubicin, it preserved heart function, raised the pro-survival gene Bcl-2 and protected mitochondria (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2024).
  • Gastric prokinetic effect — As a ghrelin mimetic, GHRP-6 increases gastric emptying rate and gastrointestinal motility (Depoortere et al. 2005, Eur J Pharmacol). Part of its acute "feeling hungry" phenotype.

What the Research Shows

GHRP-6 has the most extensive preclinical research base of the original first-generation GHRPs, plus a meaningful (if smaller-than-modern) clinical literature in GH stimulation testing and a separate cardioprotection arc developed primarily by Cuban groups.

  • Foundational GH-release characterization (Bowers 1984) — Bowers CY, Momany FA, Reynolds GA, Hong A. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology 1984;114(5):1537-1545. Discovery paper establishing GHRP-6 as the first specific GH secretagogue acting on the pituitary somatotroph.
  • Receptor cloning (Howard 1996) — Howard AD et al. A receptor in pituitary and hypothalamus that functions in growth hormone release. Science 1996;273(5277):974-977. Cloned GHS-R1a using GHRP-6 as the radioligand.
  • Ghrelin discovery (Kojima 1999) — Kojima M et al. Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach. Nature 1999;402(6762):656-660. The natural endogenous ligand of GHS-R1a — discovered by tissue-screening for activity that the synthetic GHRP-6 had predicted must exist.
  • GHRH synergy in humans (Pandya 1998) — Pandya N, DeMott-Friberg R, Bowers CY, Barkan AL, Jaffe CA. GH-releasing peptide-6 requires endogenous hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone for maximal GH stimulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998;83(4):1186-1189. PMID 9543138. Established the GHRP-GHRH synergy underpinning all modern combination protocols.
  • Diagnostic GH stimulation testing — With GHRH, GHRP-6 has been tested as a diagnostic for adult GH deficiency. In 8 adults with hypopituitarism, 10 with obesity and 10 healthy adults, GHRH + GHRP-6 was the only one of four tests, the insulin tolerance test among them, whose responses separated every hypopituitary patient from the obese subjects (Cordido et al., 2003).
  • Ghrelin against hexarelin (Arvat 2001) — In seven young men, ghrelin released more growth hormone than hexarelin, a related GHRP, and than GHRH, and raised prolactin, ACTH and cortisol more than hexarelin did (Arvat et al., 2001). The study had no GHRP-6 arm.
  • Cardioprotection in AMI models (Berlanga 2007) — Berlanga J, Cibrian D, Guevara L, et al. Growth-hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) prevents oxidant cytotoxicity and reduces myocardial necrosis in a model of acute myocardial infarction. Clin Sci (Lond). 2007;112(4):241-250. PMID 16989643. Foundational cardioprotection paper.
  • CD36 mediation (Bodart, Demers et al. 2002) — Identified CD36, not the ghrelin receptor, as the cardiac target of hexarelin: the peptide's dose-dependent rise in coronary perfusion pressure was absent in hearts from CD36-null mice and from CD36-deficient rats.
  • Pharmacokinetics in people (Cabrales 2013) — Single intravenous boluses of 100, 200 and 400 µg/kg in nine healthy men: distribution half-life 7.6 ± 1.9 minutes, elimination half-life 2.5 ± 1.1 hours, with AUC rising roughly in proportion to dose.
  • Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity prevention (Berlanga-Acosta 2024, PMID 38873418) — GHRP-6 administered concomitantly with doxorubicin in rats prevented chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiomyocyte demise, and ventricular dilation; reduced multi-organ damage.
  • Multi-organ cytoprotection (Cibrián et al., 2006; PMID 16417467) — In an animal model of multiple organ failure caused by ischaemia and reperfusion of the liver’s vessels, pretreatment with GHRP-6 (120 µg/kg) cut liver and intestinal damage by 50–85% and reduced lung and kidney injury.
  • Pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers (Cabrales 2013, Eur J Pharm Sci) — 9 male healthy volunteers; characterized plasma concentration kinetics with LC-MS using ¹³C-labeled internal standard. Biliary excretion hypothesized as one elimination route.
Critical Context — Mature Pharmacology, Limited Modern Clinical Trials

GHRP-6 has been studied for over 40 years and the GH-release pharmacology is extremely well-characterized. The cardioprotection arc is smaller, almost entirely driven by Cuban groups, and has not progressed to large Western Phase 3 trials. The compound has not been advanced through modern pharmaceutical regulatory pathways because more selective second-generation GHRPs (GHRP-2, ipamorelin) and small-molecule analogs (ibutamoren) have largely replaced it in the GH stimulation use case, while the cardioprotection use case has not had a Western sponsor.

Human Data

For growth hormone, this page cites four single-dose human studies of GHRP-6: three growth-hormone tests, two of them giving it with GHRH (Pandya et al., 1998; Popovic et al., 2003; Cordido et al., 2003), and a pharmacokinetic study (Cabrales et al., 2013). It also cites two randomized stroke trials that gave it with EGF into a vein for 7 days (Hernández-Bernal et al., 2024; Hernández-Bernal et al., 2026), and a record review of 14 men on testosterone who injected it under the skin with GHRP-2 and sermorelin (Sigalos et al., 2017).

  • GH stimulation testing — In 50 adults with long-standing hypopituitarism and 100 healthy controls, a peak GH under 15.0 µg/L after GHRH + GHRP-6 had 94.4% sensitivity and 98.8% specificity for GH deficiency; the authors call the test an alternative to the insulin tolerance test (Popovic et al., 2003).
  • Pandya 1998 (PMID 9543138) — 9 healthy male volunteers; GHRP-6 1 mcg/kg IV ± GHRH antagonist. Endogenous GHRH required for maximal GH response.
  • Arvat et al. — ghrelin and hexarelin — Compared ghrelin with hexarelin and GHRH in seven young men; ghrelin gave the larger GH, prolactin, ACTH and cortisol responses (Arvat et al., 2001). GHRP-6 was not tested.
  • Cabrales 2013 PK study (Eur J Pharm Sci) — 9 male healthy volunteers; characterized GHRP-6 plasma kinetics after a single intravenous bolus of 100, 200 or 400 µg/kg. Biliary excretion suggested as one elimination route.
  • Cuban cardioprotection clinical work — Cuban research groups (CIGB Havana) have advanced GHRP-6 toward cardioprotection clinical applications. Publications in regional journals (Biotecnología Aplicada, Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomédicas) have not advanced to large Western Phase 3 trials.
  • No large modern Phase 3 RCT — Despite 40 years of research, no major Western pharmaceutical sponsor has advanced GHRP-6 through Phase 3 for an FDA-approval-targeted indication. This reflects the commercial difficulty of advancing a 1984-vintage peptide that lacks composition-of-matter patent protection.

Reconstitution & Storage

Sellers list GHRP-6 as a freeze-dried powder, typically in 5 mg or 10 mg vials. The table is arithmetic only, not a recommendation.

Vial SizeBAC WaterConcentration100 mcg Dose200 mcg Dose
5 mg2 mL2,500 mcg/mL4 units (0.04 mL)8 units (0.08 mL)
10 mg2 mL5,000 mcg/mL2 units (0.02 mL)4 units (0.04 mL)
  • Reconstitution — Reconstitution guides describe injecting bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial at 45°, then swirling gently rather than shaking. A properly reconstituted solution is clear and colorless.
  • Storage — Seller guides describe the powder as stable for 12 months or more at room temperature away from light, and the mixed solution as kept at 2–8°C for 28 days and not frozen. No storage study of GHRP-6 is cited.
  • Inspection — Seller guides describe discarding a solution that is cloudy, has particles, is discoloured or smells unusual.

→ Calculator — vial-to-syringe math

Side Effects & Risks

Important

The growth-hormone tests and the pharmacokinetic study the page cites gave single doses (Pandya et al., 1998; Cabrales et al., 2013); the repeated-dose studies it cites gave it with other drugs, with EGF for 7 days after a stroke and with GHRP-2 and sermorelin in men on testosterone (Hernández-Bernal et al., 2024; Hernández-Bernal et al., 2026; Sigalos et al., 2017). It is prohibited in sport under WADA’s S2. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.

What the sources read for this page record:

  • Hunger — Users describe a fast hunger response after injection; no trial measured it in people. In rats, GHRP-6 sped gastric emptying (Depoortere et al., 2005).
  • Prolactin, ACTH and cortisol — Bowers’ first paper found GH release without LH, FSH, TSH or prolactin in animals (Bowers et al., 1984). Hexarelin, a related GHRP, raised prolactin, ACTH and cortisol in men (Arvat et al., 2001). No source read here measures them after GHRP-6 in people.
  • Single-dose studies — Nine healthy men took IV doses up to 400 µg/kg in the pharmacokinetic study, where four showed unexplained concentration spikes during elimination (Cabrales et al., 2013); the abstract reports no adverse events either way.
  • Drug interactions — Its GH response depends on the body’s own GHRH: a GHRH antagonist removed most of it (Pandya et al., 1998). No other interaction study is cited here.
  • WADA — Named on the Prohibited List under S2, peptide hormones and growth hormone secretagogues, and prohibited at all times (WADA Prohibited List 2026).
  • What is in a vial — GHRP-6 is sold online as a research chemical; no analysis of such products appears in the documents read for this page.

Bloodwork & Monitoring

No monitoring guidance for GHRP-6 has been published. What the studies measured:

  • Growth hormone — Every 10 minutes for three hours after the dose, as the peak and the area under the curve (Pandya et al., 1998).
  • Blood levels of GHRP-6 — By a validated LC-MS method, for 12 hours after the dose (Cabrales et al., 2013).
  • Heart damage (pigs) — CK-MB, C-reactive protein, Q waves on the ECG and infarct size (Berlanga et al., 2007).
  • Which tests fit a given person — A question for a licensed healthcare provider. This page can’t answer it.

Commonly Stacked With

CJC-1295 (with or without DAC)

A GHRH analog paired with GHRPs in online GH protocols, on the basis that GHRP-6’s GH response depends on GHRH (Pandya et al., 1998). No study has tested CJC-1295 with GHRP-6.

Tested together in people: none published · Read the receipt →

Sermorelin

GHRH(1-29).

Tested together in people: 1 record review, 14 men (2017) (Sigalos et al., 2017) · Read the receipt →

Tesamorelin

An FDA-approved GHRH analog (Egrifta). No study of the pair is cited here.

Tested together in people: none published · Read the receipt →

BPC-157

Paired with GHRP-6 in online injury-recovery protocols. No study of the pair exists.

Tested together in people: none published · Read the receipt →

EGF (given together in Cuban stroke trials)

75 µg of recombinant EGF with 3.5 or 5 mg GHRP-6 into a vein, twice a day for 7 days, in a 36-patient Phase I/II (Hernández-Bernal et al., 2024); the 188-patient Phase III missed its main goal (Hernández-Bernal et al., 2026). Both trials come from CIGB, which makes the EGF.

Tested together in people: 2 randomized trials, Phase I/II and Phase III (2024, 2026) (Hernández-Bernal et al., 2024; Hernández-Bernal et al., 2026) · Read the receipt →

Stacking this? Read the receipt →

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Legal Status

Current Status — April 2026

GHRP-6 is not FDA-approved for any indication. GHRP-6 is on FDA's 503A Category 3 list (nominated without adequate support; updated May 14, 2026) — not eligible under FDA's interim compounding policy. It is also on the 503B Category 2 list. It is a research chemical for the U.S. market.

In late February 2026 the HHS secretary said on a podcast that he expected FDA to change the status of “about 14” peptides within “a couple of weeks” (NPR, March 31, 2026); those were public remarks, reported, not a rule. FDA’s documented step came on April 15, 2026: notice that 12 peptides would leave Category 2 because their nominations had been withdrawn, removed on April 22, which left them in no category rather than Category 1 (FDA 503A categories list, April 22, 2026). GHRP-6 was not among the 12: FDA’s 503A categories list places it in Category 3 (FDA 503A categories list, May 14, 2026), and its 503B list places it in Category 2. Practically, GHRP-6 still cannot be legally compounded by 503A pharmacies as of this publication date.

WADA: GHRP-6 is explicitly banned at all times under category S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics). Any tested athlete using GHRP-6 faces sanction under the WADA Code.

Outside the United States: GHRP-6 has been the subject of clinical research programs by Cuban and other Latin American groups for cardioprotection indications. It has not received marketing authorization from EMA, MHRA, PMDA, or any other major regulator for either GH-stimulation or cardioprotection use.

Cost & Access

GHRP-6 is not approved for human use. It is available through research suppliers for laboratory research purposes only.

GHRP-6 is sold online as a research chemical; no analysis of such products appears in the documents read for this page.

Pricing and availability vary and are set by the seller. Kalios does not sell compounds.

References

  1. Bowers CY, Momany FA, Reynolds GA, Hong A. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology. 1984;114(5):1537-1545. PMID: 6714155. (Foundational GHRP-6 discovery paper.)
  2. Howard AD, Feighner SD, Cully DF, Arena JP, Liberator PA, Rosenblum CI, et al. A receptor in pituitary and hypothalamus that functions in growth hormone release. Science. 1996;273(5277):974-977. PMID: 8688086. (Cloning of GHS-R1a using GHRP-6 as the radioligand.)
  3. Kojima M, Hosoda H, Date Y, Nakazato M, Matsuo H, Kangawa K. Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach. Nature. 1999;402(6762):656-660. PMID: 10604470. (Discovery of the natural endogenous ligand of GHS-R1a.)
  4. Pandya N, DeMott-Friberg R, Bowers CY, Barkan AL, Jaffe CA. Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-6 requires endogenous hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone for maximal GH stimulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83(4):1186-1189. PMID: 9543138. (GHRH-GHRP synergy in humans.)
  5. Bowers CY. Unnatural growth hormone-releasing peptide begets natural ghrelin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(4):1464-9. PMID: 11297568. (Bowers' personal review of the discovery arc from synthetic to natural ligand.)
  6. Berlanga J, Cibrian D, Guevara L, Dominguez H, Alba JS, Seralena A, et al. Growth-hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) prevents oxidant cytotoxicity and reduces myocardial necrosis in a model of acute myocardial infarction. Clin Sci (Lond). 2007;112(4):241-250. PMID: 16989643. (Foundational cardioprotection paper.)
  7. Berlanga-Acosta J, Cibrian D, Valiente-Mustelier J, Suárez-Alba J, García-Ojalvo A, Falcón-Cama V, Jiang B, Wang L, Guillén-Nieto G. Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial and extra-myocardial damages by activating prosurvival mechanisms. PMID: 38873418. 2024. (Most recent comprehensive cardioprotection paper.)
  8. Cabrales A, Gil J, Fernández E, Valenzuela C, Hernández F, García I, Hernández A, Besada V, Reyes O, Padrón G, Berlanga J, Guillén G, González LJ. Pharmacokinetic study of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in nine male healthy volunteers. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2013;48(1-2):40-46. PMID: 23099431. (Human PK in healthy volunteers.)
  9. Cordido F, Alvarez-Castro P, Isidro ML, Casanueva FF, Dieguez C. Comparison between insulin tolerance test, growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH), GHRH plus acipimox and GHRH plus GH-releasing peptide-6 for the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency in normal subjects, obese and hypopituitary patients. Eur J Endocrinol. 2003;149(2):117-122. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1490117. PMID: 12887288.
  10. Popovic V, Pekic S, Doknic M, Micic D, Damjanovic S, Zarkovic M, et al. The effectiveness of arginine + GHRH test compared with GHRH + GHRP-6 test in diagnosing growth hormone deficiency in adults. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2003;59(2):251-257. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01835.x. PMID: 12864804.
  11. Cibrián D, Ajamieh H, Berlanga J, León OS, Alba JS, Kim MJ, et al. Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure. Clin Sci (Lond). 2006;110(5):563-573. doi:10.1042/CS20050374. PMID: 16417467.
  12. Bowers CY, Sartor AO, Reynolds GA, Badger TM. On the actions of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide, GHRP. Endocrinology. 1991;128(4):2027-2035. PMID: 2004615.
  13. Bowers CY. Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP). Cell Mol Life Sci. 1998;54(12):1316-1329. PMID: 9893708.
  14. Hataya Y, Akamizu T, Takaya K, et al. A low dose of ghrelin stimulates growth hormone (GH) release synergistically with GH-releasing hormone in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(9):4552. PMID: 11549707.
  15. Bodart V, Febbraio M, Demers A, McNicoll N, Pohankova P, Perreault A, Sejlitz T, Escher E, Silverstein RL, Lamontagne D, Ong H. CD36 mediates the cardiovascular action of growth hormone-releasing peptides in the heart. Circ Res. 2002;90(8):844-849. PMID: 11988484. (CD36 cardioprotective receptor characterization.)
  16. Depoortere I, De Winter B, Thijs T, De Man J, Pelckmans P, Peeters T. Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro. Eur J Pharmacol. 2005;515(1-3):160-168. PMID: 15890336. (Gastric prokinetic mechanism.)
  17. Granado M, Priego T, Martín AI, Villanúa MA, López-Calderón A. Anti-inflammatory effect of the ghrelin agonist growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) in arthritic rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2005;288(3):E486-492. PMID: 15507538. (GHRP family anti-inflammatory mechanism.)
  18. Valiente J, García del Barco D, Guillén G, Santana H, Altruda F, Tarone G, Silengo L, Berlanga J. Efecto cardiotrópico del GHRP-6: caracterización mediante ecocardiografía in vivo [Cardiotropic effect of GHRP-6: in vivo characterization by echocardiography]. Biotecnología Aplicada. 2013;30(4):280-284. medigraphic.com/pdfs/biotecapl/ba-2013/ba134e.pdf. Read October 11, 2026. (In Balb/c mice.)
  19. Berlanga-Acosta J, et al. Synthetic Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs): A Historical Appraisal of the Evidences Supporting Their Cytoprotective Effects. Medicc Rev. 2017. PMC5392015. (Comprehensive cytoprotection review.)
  20. Arvat E, Maccario M, Di Vito L, et al. Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(3):1169-1174. PMID: 11238504. (Comparative human endocrine study.)
  21. FDA. Bulk Drug Substances That Raise Significant Safety Risks (Category 2) Under Section 503A / 503B. FDA.gov. Updated 2025-2026.
  22. WADA Prohibited List 2026. World Anti-Doping Agency. wada-ama.org. (GHRP family banned under S2.)
  23. FDA. Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act (503A categories list), versions updated April 15, April 22 and May 14, 2026. fda.gov/media/94155/download. Read October 3, 2026. (Notice that 12 peptides would leave Category 2 because their nominations were withdrawn; their removal; GHK-Cu, except injectable, back in Category 1.)
  24. Stone W. The wellness world is eager for RFK Jr.’s promised move on peptides. NPR, March 31, 2026. npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5768206/peptides-rfk-fda-compounding-pharmacies. Read October 3, 2026. (The HHS secretary’s late-February podcast remarks, “about 14” peptides; reported, not a rule.)
  25. Hernández-Bernal F, Estenoz-García D, Gutiérrez-Ronquillo JH, Martín-Bauta Y, et al. Combination therapy of Epidermal Growth Factor and Growth Hormone-Releasing Hexapeptide in acute ischemic stroke: a phase I/II non-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1303402. PMID: 38638315. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1303402.
  26. Hernández-Bernal F, Subirós-Martínez N, Gutiérrez-Ronquillo JH, Colina-Ávila E, et al. Phase III Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial of Epidermal Growth Factor and Growth Hormone Releasing Hexapeptide in Acute Ischemic Stroke. J Clin Neurosci. 2026;152:112195. PMID: 42462342. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2026.112195.
  27. Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW, Allison A, Ohlander SJ, Herati A, Lindgren MC, Lipshultz LI. Growth Hormone Secretagogue Treatment in Hypogonadal Men Raises Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels. Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(6):1752-1757. doi:10.1177/1557988317718662. PMID: 28830317.

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Checked 13 Oct 2026