Ipamorelin vs GHRP-6: Selective vs Broad GH Secretagogues

Ipamorelin and GHRP-6 are both growth hormone secretagogues that stimulate GH release through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). The critical difference is selectivity: Ipamorelin is highly selective for GH release without significantly affecting cortisol, prolactin, or appetite, while GHRP-6 is a broader agonist that stimulates GH release alongside significant increases in hunger (ghrelin-like effect), and mild cortisol/prolactin elevation in test subjects. This selectivity difference determines their suitability for different research protocols. For research purposes only.

Ipamorelin: Binds GHS-R1a with high selectivity for the GH-releasing pathway. Does not significantly activate the appetite-stimulating or cortisol-releasing pathways associated with the ghrelin receptor. Produces clean, isolated GH pulses without hormonal crosstalk in test subjects. GHRP-6: Binds GHS-R1a with broader activation. Stimulates GH release powerfully but also activates ghrelin-like hunger signalling (significant appetite increase within 20 minutes of injection), mild cortisol elevation, and mild prolactin elevation. The hunger effect is the most notable distinguishing feature in test subjects.

Ipamorelin: • Dose: 100-250 mcg per injection • Frequency: 1-3 times daily • Vial sizes: 5mg, 10mg • Reconstitution: 10mg + 2mL BAC water = 5mg/mL (50 mcg/unit) • 100 mcg = 2 units | 200 mcg = 4 units GHRP-6: • Dose: 100-300 mcg per injection • Frequency: 1-3 times daily • Vial sizes: 2mg, 5mg, 10mg • Reconstitution: 10mg + 2mL BAC water = 5mg/mL (50 mcg/unit) • 100 mcg = 2 units | 200 mcg = 4 units Both are typically stacked with CJC-1295 (No DAC) at 100 mcg per injection for synergistic GH release.

GH release potency: Ipamorelin = Moderate-High | GHRP-6 = High Selectivity: Ipamorelin = Very high | GHRP-6 = Low Hunger stimulation: Ipamorelin = None | GHRP-6 = Significant (within 20 min) Cortisol elevation: Ipamorelin = None | GHRP-6 = Mild Prolactin elevation: Ipamorelin = None | GHRP-6 = Mild Dose range: Ipamorelin = 100-250 mcg | GHRP-6 = 100-300 mcg Frequency: Both = 1-3x daily Stacking with CJC-1295: Both = Standard practice Desensitisation risk: Ipamorelin = Low | GHRP-6 = Moderate Best timing: Ipamorelin = Before bed | GHRP-6 = Before meals (utilises hunger)

Choose ipamorelin when: The protocol requires isolated GH stimulation without appetite or cortisol confounders, the research focuses on GH effects independent of other hormonal changes, or the test subject should not experience increased hunger. Choose GHRP-6 when: The protocol benefits from appetite stimulation (underweight test subjects, recovery research), maximum GH release potency is prioritised over selectivity, or the research investigates the full ghrelin receptor activation cascade in test subjects. Ipamorelin is the most commonly recommended GH secretagogue for general research due to its clean side-effect profile. GHRP-6 is preferred when appetite stimulation is desired or maximum GH output is the primary objective. For research purposes only.