Sermorelin
Also known as: Sermorelin acetate, GHRH 1-29, Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
GHRH Analog | Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
Overview
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone that stimulates natural growth hormone production while preserving physiological pulsatile patterns. Originally FDA-approved in 1997 for pediatric GH deficiency, it was discontinued in 2008 for manufacturing reasons, not safety concerns.
Key benefits
- FDA-proven efficacy
- Maintains natural GH pulsatile patterns
- Preserves pituitary function
- 1.26kg lean mass increase documented in elderly
- IGF-1 mediated anabolic effects
- Allows natural feedback regulation
Mechanism of action
Subcutaneous injection provides optimal bioavailability for binding GHRH receptors, stimulating pulsatile GH release while maintaining hypothalamic-pituitary axis integrity and allowing natural somatostatin negative feedback.
Molecular data
- Type
- GHRH analog
- Half-life
- 10-12 minutes
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Muscle Growth
Lean Body Mass Enhancement
Most effective1.26kg lean mass increase documented in elderly men with improved muscle strength tests.
IGF-1 Mediated Growth
EffectiveEndogenous IGF-1 stimulation drives protein synthesis and muscle growth.
Athletic Recovery
EffectiveEnhanced recovery through physiological GH stimulation.
Anti-Aging
Age-Related GH Decline Reversal
EffectiveDoubles 12-hour GH release in elderly subjects over 6 weeks.
Body Composition Improvement
EffectiveDecreased adiposity and improved lean mass distribution.
Skin Quality Enhancement
ModerateImproved skin thickness and quality.
Hormonal
Endogenous GH Stimulation
ModeratePreserves natural axis function without suppression.
Natural Pulsatile Secretion
ModerateMaintains physiological GH release patterns.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Subcutaneous injection is the primary method. Bedtime administration aligns with natural nocturnal GH pulses. Avoid food 2+ hours before injection as carbohydrates blunt GH response.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-aging/Longevity | 200-300mcg | Once at bedtime | SubQ |
| Athletic Performance | 300-500mcg | Once at bedtime | SubQ |
| Body Composition | 200mcg | 5 days weekly | SubQ |
| Combination Therapy | 200mcg + GHRP | Once daily | SubQ co-injection |
Preparation
You will need
- Sermorelin acetate lyophilized powder (2-5mg vial)
- Bacteriostatic water for injection (3mL)
- Insulin syringes (28-30 gauge)
- Alcohol swabs
Steps
- Allow vial to reach room temperature
- Clean vial top with alcohol swab; allow to dry
- Inject 3mL bacteriostatic water slowly against vial wall (not directly on powder)
- Gently swirl in circular motion - do not shake vigorously
- Allow 2-3 minutes until powder dissolves into clear solution
- Store reconstituted solution at 2-8°C; use within 10-30 days
- Inject subcutaneously at 45-degree angle; rotate sites
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Nasal
Intranasal spray is available with 69% patient preference over injection. Lower bioavailability but bypasses first-pass metabolism.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal administration | 30+ mcg/kg | Once daily at bedtime | Nasal spray |
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
Octreotide/Lanreotide
AvoidSomatostatin analogs directly block GH release by activating inhibitory receptors.
Prednisone
MonitorHigh-dose glucocorticoids suppress pituitary GH release and reduce GHRH receptor sensitivity.
Insulin
MonitorGH antagonizes insulin action; monitor combination closely.
Ipamorelin
SynergisticExcellent combination producing 3-5 fold increases in GH release.
CJC-1295
SynergisticHighly effective combination - CJC-1295 provides sustained 6-8 day release while sermorelin offers immediate pulsatile effects.
GHRP-2
SynergisticCombined GHRH+GHRP-2 produces 54-fold GH increases compared to 20-fold with GHRH alone.
Thyroid Hormones
CompatibleEssential combination as untreated hypothyroidism prevents sermorelin response.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Week 1-2
IGF-1 elevation begins; improved sleep quality and recovery
- Week 2-4
Body composition changes begin; increased energy and well-being
- Week 4-8
Visible muscle tone improvements; fat reduction; skin quality enhancement
- Week 8-12
Sustained improvements; optimal IGF-1 elevation
- Month 3-6
Maximum benefits: muscle growth, fat loss, anti-aging effects
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions (16.7% of patients - generally mild)
- Nasal irritation (intranasal route)
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Signs of pituitary tumor growth (headaches, vision changes)
- Severe injection site reactions or generalized allergic responses
- Uncontrolled diabetes or significant glucose intolerance
- New onset or worsening malignancy symptoms
Contraindications
- Active malignancy
- Pituitary tumors
- Pregnancy
Monitoring
- Monitor thyroid function - 6.5% develop hypothyroidism requiring hormone replacement
- Check IGF-1 levels monthly initially, then every 3-6 months long-term
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- Completely clear and colorless solution without particles, cloudiness, or precipitation
- Greater than 98% peptide purity per USP standards
- Sterile, nonpyrogenic lyophilized powder
- Maintained at 2-8°C throughout transport
- Produced in FDA-registered facilities following cGMP
Warning signs
- Brief room temperature exposure acceptable up to 72 hours but should be refrigerated promptly
Stop signs — don't use
- Any cloudiness, particles, color changes, or precipitation indicates degradation
- Molecular weight should be exactly 3,358 daltons (free base) or 3,418 daltons (acetate salt)
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
November 2024 · Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Growth hormone-releasing hormone and its analogues in health and disease
Major review covering GHRH and analogs across oncology, regenerative medicine, metabolic disorders, and neuroprotection. Supports therapeutic potential of GHRH agonists as clinical therapeutics.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
The effects of intranasal insufflation of growth hormone releasing factor analogue GRF 1-29 NH2 on growth hormone secretion in children with short stature
Laron, Z., et al. · Clinical Endocrinology · 1988
Intranasal GRF 1-29 at 100mcg/kg induced prompt GH release in prepubertal children with peak values at 15 minutes. Demonstrated feasibility of nasal delivery with minimal side effects.
Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-(1-29) twice daily reverses the decreased GH and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in old men
Corpas, E., et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1992
Landmark study in healthy old men (68 +/- 6.2 yr). High-dose GHRH(1-29) twice daily for 14 days reversed age-related decreases in GH and IGF-I to levels not significantly different from young men.
Once daily subcutaneous growth hormone-releasing hormone therapy accelerates growth in growth hormone-deficient children during the first year of therapy
Geref International Study Group · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1996
Pivotal multicenter trial with 110 prepubertal GH-deficient children. Sermorelin 30mcg/kg/day at bedtime increased height velocity from 4.1 to 8.0 cm/year at 6 months, with 74% achieving good response.
Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women
Vittone, J., et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1997
5-month single-blind RCT in 19 adults (55-71 yr). Nightly GHRH analog for 4 months activated somatotropic axis. Men showed increased lean body mass, insulin sensitivity, and well-being. Skin thickness improved in both genders.
Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?
Walker, R.F. · Clinical Interventions in Aging · 2006
Review arguing sermorelin preserves pituitary function and physiological GH pulsatility, offering a safer alternative to exogenous GH for adult-onset GH insufficiency.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.