Ipamorelin
Growth Hormone Secretagogue | Selective GHRP
Overview
Selective GHRP that stimulates natural GH production from the pituitary with minimal cortisol and prolactin disruption. Known for its excellent safety profile and ability to produce consistent GH pulses without significant side effects common to other growth hormone releasing peptides.
Key benefits
- Optimal GH stimulation with superior bioavailability
- Body composition improvements (lean mass, fat loss)
- Enhanced recovery and anti-aging effects
- Minimal side effects compared to other GHRPs
- No significant cortisol or prolactin elevation
- Improved sleep quality
Mechanism of action
Binds selectively to ghrelin receptors in pituitary gland, stimulating natural GH release with direct systemic delivery via injection, consistent GH pulse stimulation, no significant cortisol or prolactin elevation, and minimal hunger response.
Molecular data
- Type
- Growth hormone secretagogue
- Half-life
- ~2 hours
Sequence
Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Growth Hormone
Natural GH Stimulation
Most effectiveConsistent GH elevation 30-60 minutes post-injection, maintaining natural pulsatile patterns.
IGF-1 Enhancement
EffectiveIncreases insulin-like growth factor-1 through natural GH pathways.
Anti-Aging Benefits
EffectiveSupports cellular regeneration, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair.
Body Composition
Lean Mass Development
EffectivePromotes muscle growth and maintenance through GH-mediated pathways.
Fat Loss Support
EffectiveEnhances lipolysis and metabolic rate through natural GH elevation.
Recovery
Sleep Quality
EffectiveImproved sleep latency and increased slow-wave sleep duration.
Exercise Recovery
ModerateEnhanced recovery markers and reduced soreness after training.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Most effective delivery method. Best taken on empty stomach with bedtime injection optimal for sleep benefits.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Health & Longevity | 200mcg | 1x daily before bed | SubQ |
| Body Composition | 250-300mcg | 2x daily (morning, pre-workout) | SubQ |
| Athletic Performance | 200-250mcg | 2-3x daily | SubQ |
| Sleep & Recovery | 200mcg | 1x daily 30min before bed | SubQ |
| Anti-Aging Protocol | 200-250mcg | 1-2x daily | SubQ |
Preparation
You will need
- Bacteriostatic water (BAC)
- Insulin syringes (0.5-1mL, 29-31 gauge)
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile work surface
Steps
- Clean work area and hands thoroughly
- Allow refrigerated peptide to reach room temperature
- Calculate required BAC water volume
- Draw calculated BAC water into syringe
- Inject BAC slowly down vial side (never directly onto powder)
- Gently swirl until completely dissolved (never shake)
- Store in refrigerator; use within 28 days
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
GHRP-2
AvoidRedundant GH pathways may cause receptor desensitization.
GHRP-6
AvoidSimilar mechanism with higher hunger effects; redundant.
Sermorelin
MonitorBoth stimulate GH; choose one to avoid receptor oversaturation.
CJC-1295
SynergisticExtends GH release for optimal hormone cycles. Popular combination.
BPC-157
SynergisticEnhances GH receptor upregulation and effectiveness.
TB-500
CompatibleComplementary for recovery and tissue repair.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Week 1-2
Improved sleep quality and morning energy
- Week 2-4
Enhanced exercise recovery and reduced soreness
- Week 4-8
Body composition improvements with increased lean mass
- Week 8-12
Continued muscle tone, skin quality, and energy improvements
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Mild hunger increase 20-30 minutes post-injection
- Slight drowsiness when taken before bed
- Water retention (mild)
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Signs of receptor desensitization (reduced response after 3-4 months)
- Unusual joint pain or swelling
- Persistent numbness or tingling
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active cancer or history of cancer
- Severe kidney or liver disease
Monitoring
- Monitor for receptor desensitization after 3-4 months
- Cycle off periodically to maintain effectiveness
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- White, fine crystalline powder with no clumping
- Clear solution after BAC water reconstitution
- Mild hunger response 20-30 minutes post-injection
- Slight drowsiness at bedtime doses
Warning signs
- Minimal or no physiological response after 2 weeks (check source)
Stop signs — don't use
- Yellow or discolored powder (suggests degradation)
- Cloudy solution after reconstitution
- No response after extended use
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
October 2024 · Physiology & Behavior
Anamorelin and ipamorelin inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets
Both ghrelin receptor agonists inhibited cisplatin-induced weight loss by approximately 24% in ferrets. Anamorelin also showed anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism, expanding potential clinical applications for ghrelin mimetics.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Raun, K., et al. · European Journal of Endocrinology · 1998
Identified ipamorelin as the first GHRP-receptor agonist with selectivity for GH release similar to GHRH. Did not release ACTH or cortisol at doses over 200-fold higher than the ED50 for GH release, distinguishing it from other secretagogues.
Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers
Zdravkovic, M., et al. · British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology · 1999
Dose-escalation study in 40 healthy males established terminal half-life of 2 hours, clearance of 0.078 L/h/kg. Ipamorelin induced single-episode GH release peaking at 0.67 hours with dose-proportional pharmacokinetics.
Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats
Johansen, P.B., et al. · Growth Hormone & IGF Research · 1999
Ipamorelin dose-dependently increased longitudinal bone growth rate from 42 to 52 mcm/day and produced pronounced dose-dependent body weight gain in adult female rats over 15 days.
The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats
Svensson, J., et al. · Calcified Tissue International · 2001
In 8-month-old female rats treated for 3 months, ipamorelin combined with glucocorticoid increased maximum tetanic tension and periosteal bone formation rate 4-fold compared to glucocorticoid alone.
Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients
Greenwood-Van Meerveld, B., et al. · International Journal of Colorectal Disease · 2014
Multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 117 bowel resection patients. Ipamorelin 0.03 mg/kg IV twice daily for up to 7 days was well tolerated but did not significantly improve postoperative ileus outcomes versus placebo.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.