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Performance & Growth

Ipamorelin

Formula: C38H49N9O5Sequence: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

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Written by Peptok ResearchReviewed by Medical Advisory BoardLast updated: Jan 20263 references cited

Quick Stats

Evidence Strength3/10 (Low)

Based on number and quality of indexed studies

Community Popularity4/10 (Low)

Based on search volume and community interest

Legal Status

⚖️ Unregulated (US)

Type

Performance & Growth

Route

Subcutaneous injection

Half-life

~2 hours
OverviewBenefits & EvidenceWho It's ForDosage GuideCommunitySafety ProfileResearchFAQReferences

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational and research purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about peptide use or any medical treatment. Individual results may vary.

Overview

Ipamorelin is the cleanest growth hormone releasing peptide available. It is a small 5-amino-acid chain that tells your pituitary gland to release growth hormone without the unwanted side effects of older alternatives — no cortisol spikes, no increased appetite, no prolactin elevation. This selectivity makes it the most popular choice for researchers studying growth hormone optimization.

Quick Summary

  • 🧬
    What it is:Ipamorelin is the cleanest growth hormone releasing peptide available.
  • 🎯
    Primary use:Performance & Growth applications — see benefits section for details.
  • 📊
    Evidence level:Preliminary — Mostly anecdotal or very early-stage research (3 indexed papers)
  • ✅
    Bottom line:Very early research phase. Approach with appropriate caution; long-term safety is unknown.

Overview

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide (5 amino acids) that acts as a selective growth hormone secretagogue. It is considered the cleanest growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) available, stimulating GH release without significantly affecting cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — a key advantage over older GHRPs like GHRP-6 and GHRP-2.

Mechanism of Action

Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary gland, triggering growth hormone release through a specific signaling cascade:

  • Selective GH release — stimulates GH secretion without raising cortisol or prolactin
  • Pulsatile pattern — mimics the body's natural GH release rhythm
  • No appetite stimulation — unlike GHRP-6, Ipamorelin does not significantly increase ghrelin-mediated hunger
  • Dose-dependent — GH release scales linearly with dose up to a saturation point

This selectivity makes Ipamorelin one of the most studied and preferred GHRPs in research settings.

Research Applications

Growth Hormone Optimization

  • Studies show significant GH elevation within 30-60 minutes of administration
  • Peak GH levels comparable to GHRP-6 but with fewer side effects
  • May help restore age-related declines in GH production

Body Composition

  • GH promotes lipolysis (fat burning) and lean mass preservation
  • Animal studies suggest improved body composition with chronic use
  • Potential applications in sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss)

Bone Health

  • Growth hormone plays a critical role in bone density maintenance
  • Some research suggests GH secretagogues may improve bone mineral density in aging populations

Sleep Quality

  • Natural GH release peaks during deep sleep (Stage 3/4 NREM)
  • Some researchers report improved sleep quality, though direct evidence is limited

Dosage Information

Note: No FDA-approved dosing exists. Based on research literature:

  • Common research dose: 200-300 mcg per administration
  • Frequency: 1-3 times daily (often before bed and/or upon waking)
  • Route: Subcutaneous injection
  • Timing: Best on an empty stomach; GH release is blunted by high blood sugar and dietary fats
  • Stacking: Frequently combined with CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) for synergistic GH release

Safety Profile

Ipamorelin is generally considered the safest GHRP option:

Commonly reported:

  • Injection site irritation
  • Mild water retention
  • Temporary numbness or tingling in extremities
  • Mild headache

What it does NOT cause (unlike other GHRPs):

  • Significant cortisol elevation
  • Prolactin increase
  • Intense appetite stimulation
  • Desensitization (unlike Hexarelin)

Ipamorelin vs Other GHRPs

| Feature | Ipamorelin | GHRP-6 | GHRP-2 | Hexarelin | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | GH release | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Very strong | | Cortisol increase | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate | High | | Appetite stimulation | None | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | | Desensitization | No | No | No | Yes | | Selectivity | Very high | Low | Moderate | Low |

Research Status

  • FDA Status: Not FDA-approved
  • Clinical Trials: Phase II data exists for post-surgical recovery applications
  • Safety: Favorable profile in available human data
  • Legal Status: Available for research purposes in most jurisdictions

Profile last updated: January 2026

Benefits & Evidence

Clean growth hormone release

Strong Evidence

3 studies · 2 human trials

Improved body composition

Moderate Evidence

2 studies · 1 human trial

Better sleep quality

Moderate Evidence

1 studies · 0 human trials

Enhanced recovery from exercise

Preliminary

1 studies · 0 human trials

No appetite stimulation

Preliminary

1 studies · 0 human trials

Bone density support

Preliminary

1 studies · 0 human trials

Who Uses Ipamorelin?

Research enthusiasts

Preliminary

Emerging therapeutic applications being studied

Biohackers

Anecdotal

Exploring optimization potential

Not recommended if:

Pregnant or nursing, history of hormone-sensitive cancers, active autoimmune conditions, or pediatric patients. Always consult a physician before starting any peptide protocol.

Dosage Guide

Protocol by Experience Level

ExperienceDoseFrequencyCycleRoute
Beginner200 mcgDaily or EOD4–6 wks, 2 wks offSubQ injection
Intermediate250 mcgDaily4–6 wks, 2 wks offSubQ injection
Advanced300 mcgDaily (split dose)4–6 wks, 2 wks offSubQ injection

Standard Protocol

200-300 mcg per dose, 1-3 times daily. Most common: 200 mcg before bed.

Notes

Best on empty stomach — high blood sugar and dietary fats blunt GH release. Often combined with CJC-1295 (without DAC) for synergistic effect. Bedtime dosing aligns with natural GH peaks.

Route

Subcutaneous injection

Half-life

~2 hours

Molecular Weight

711.85 g/mol

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Dosage information is derived from research literature and community reports. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide.

What the Community Reports

Community data coming soon

We're aggregating Reddit discussions for Ipamorelin.

Safety Profile

Regulatory Status

Unregulated (US). Not FDA-approved. Available as research chemical.

Common

  • Injection site irritation
  • Mild water retention
  • Tingling in extremities

Rare

  • Mild headache

Serious

No serious adverse events reported in available literature.

Pregnancy: ❌ Not recommended — no safety dataKnown Interactions: 4 documented stacks
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Research

Mechanism of Action

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide (5 amino acids) that binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on the pituitary gland. Unlike older growth hormone releasing peptides, it is highly selective — it triggers GH release without significantly raising cortisol, prolactin, or appetite. GH release follows a natural pulsatile pattern, and the response scales linearly with dose up to a saturation point.

Search Volume Trend

Rank #3
12 months agoPresent
Clinical Trial1999

Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue

European Journal of Endocrinology · Raun K, et al.

Animal Study2009

Effect of ipamorelin on muscle wasting and bone loss in experimental conditions

Growth Hormone & IGF Research · Johansen PB, et al.

Clinical Trial2007

Safety and efficacy of ipamorelin for the treatment of postoperative ileus

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery · Beck DE, et al.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide that stimulates your pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It is considered the cleanest GH-releasing peptide because it does not increase cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike older alternatives like GHRP-6.
Ipamorelin has one of the mildest side effect profiles of any GH-releasing peptide. Common reports include mild injection site irritation, temporary water retention, and occasional headache. It does NOT cause the hunger, cortisol spikes, or prolactin elevation seen with GHRP-6.
Ipamorelin works best on an empty stomach, as food (especially fats and sugars) blunts the GH response. Most protocols recommend taking it before bed to align with the body's natural nighttime GH surge. Some users also dose upon waking.

References (3)

  1. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue — Raun K, et al. (1999)Source
  2. Effect of ipamorelin on muscle wasting and bone loss — Johansen PB, et al. (2009)Source
  3. Safety and efficacy of ipamorelin for postoperative ileus — Beck DE, et al. (2007)Source

Common Stacks

Peptides frequently combined together for synergistic effects.

CJC-1295

Body Composition

Growth hormone secretagogue stack for enhanced recovery and body composition

GHRP-6

Performance

Commonly combined with GHRP-6 for enhanced outcomes

BPC-157

Recovery & Healing

Complements systemic healing with localized tissue repair

TB-500

Recovery & Healing

Synergistic tissue repair — BPC-157 handles GI/tendons while TB-500 targets systemic healing

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