Early human data Performance and Recovery
GHRP-6
Also called Growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide
A synthetic peptide that stimulates growth hormone release through the ghrelin receptor. Small human studies establish the hormone response, not muscle growth, injury healing or lasting fat loss.
Overview
What it is
A six-amino-acid secretagogue, distinct from GHRP-2.
How it works
It acts on the ghrelin receptor. Its growth hormone response depends heavily on the body's own GHRH: blocking GHRH sharply reduced the response in healthy men.
What the research shows
Human studies measured growth hormone release and pulse patterns. A combined GHRH/GHRP-6 test is used to study hormone responses. A 2025 mouse study found nasal GHRP-6 increased food intake.
Studied for
- Growth hormone releasehuman
- Diagnostic testing with GHRHhuman
- Appetitemice
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
FDA notes possible cortisol effects, higher blood sugar from reduced insulin sensitivity, and immune reactions from aggregation or impurities. Safety data are limited.
Regulatory status
Not FDA approved. On FDA's compounding safety-risk list. Prohibited in sport.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
Reference information only. Not instructions. These mixing and dosing figures summarize published studies and third-party protocols so you can understand the research. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation that anyone use any substance, and not a treatment plan. They do not apply to Research Products, which are for laboratory research only and must never be used in humans or animals. Never self-administer any compound. Only a licensed healthcare professional who has evaluated you can decide whether a medication is appropriate and how it should be used.
GHRP-6 (5 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 5 mg GHRP-6
- Add diluent
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 1.67 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 16.67 mcg in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- How often
- Three subcutaneous injections daily for 8–12 weeks, spaced at least 4 hours apart.
- Typical range
- 300–900 mcg total (split into 3 doses with gradual titration).
- Cycle length
- 8–12 weeks; rotate injection sites to prevent tissue irritation.
Standard / Gradual Approach
| Week/Phase | Dose per Injection (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 100 mcg | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 200 mcg | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 5–12 | 300 mcg | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
How to mix
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming; do not shake.
- Gently swirl or roll the vial until the powder is completely dissolved.
- Label with date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light. Follow the exact formulation’s validated use-by period.
Dosing details
- Start: 100 mcg per injection, 3× daily (300 mcg total) for Weeks 1–2.
- Increase: 200 mcg per injection, 3× daily (600 mcg total) for Weeks 3–4.
- Target: 300 mcg per injection, 3× daily (900 mcg total) for Weeks 5–12.
- Timing: On empty stomach; space injections at least 4 hours apart; wait 30 minutes before eating.
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; rotate injection sites to prevent tissue irritation.
Storage
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions with desiccant if available.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) ; follow product-specific use-by and sterile-handling requirements.
- Avoid freeze-thaw cycles: Do not refreeze reconstituted solution; prepare aliquots if extended storage is needed.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation.
Administration technique
- Preparation: Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swabs; allow to dry completely.
- Drawing the dose: Use a new sterile insulin syringe; draw the calculated units and check for air bubbles.
- Site selection: Rotate between abdomen (2+ inches from navel), outer thighs, and upper arms. Avoid repeatedly injecting the same spot.
- Technique: Pinch a skinfold; insert needle at 45–90° angle into subcutaneous tissue (angle depends on needle length and body fat).
- Administration: Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections. Inject slowly and steadily; hold for a few seconds before withdrawing.
- Disposal: Immediately dispose of used syringes and needles in a puncture-proof sharps container. Never reuse needles.
Important notes
- Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce lipohypertrophy and local irritation.
- Inject slowly and wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- GHRP-6 may increase appetite in some users due to its ghrelin-mimicking properties.
- Document daily doses, timing, and sites to maintain consistency throughout the cycle.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Does GHRP-6 build muscle?
No study has measured that.
Does it make you hungry?
It acts on the hunger-hormone receptor; appetite effects were shown in mice.
Is GHRP-6 the same as GHRP-2?
No. They are distinct compounds.
Related in Performance and Recovery
Sources and further reading (5)
- Pandya N, et al. GHRP-6 requires endogenous GHRH for maximal GH stimulation. JCEM, 1998.
- Prolonged GHRP infusion and pulsatile GH secretion in men. JCEM, 1993.
- Intranasal ghrelin mimetic engages brain ghrelin signaling in mice. Endocrinology, 2025.
- FDA. Bulk drug substances with significant safety risks: GHRP-6.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).
Laboratory research material: GHRP-6 Research Use Only
Educational information only. This content summarizes published research for general education. It is not medical advice, not a recommendation to use any substance, and not an instruction for human or animal use. It does not describe any Research Product sold on this site.