Growth hormone secretagogues — including ipamorelin, CJC-1295, hexarelin, tesamorelin and sermorelin — stimulate pulsatile GH release from the pituitary. This hub covers mechanism (GHRH vs GHRP), blend protocols, and research evidence for each compound.
Among growth-hormone secretagogue peptides, tesamorelin is the exception — a GHRH analog with an FDA approval, a specific clinical indication, and well-characterised effects on visceral fat. Here is what distinguishes it from CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, and where the research is headed.
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide. This guide covers its mechanism, selectivity profile, and what preclinical studies have found.
CJC-1295 is a long-acting GHRH analogue that extends the half-life of endogenous growth hormone release. Learn about its mechanism and research findings.
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of the C-terminus of human growth hormone, developed to isolate the lipolytic properties of HGH without the anabolic or diabetogenic effects.
GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin) mimic growth-hormone-releasing hormone and increase GH pulse amplitude. GHRPs (ipamorelin, hexarelin, GHRP-6) act on the ghrelin receptor to initiate GH pulses. Stacking a GHRH with a GHRP (classic CJC-1295 + ipamorelin blend) produces synergistic release.
Ipamorelin is selective for the GH axis — it does not meaningfully raise cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH, unlike older GHRPs (GHRP-6, hexarelin). This cleaner side-effect profile is why it dominates modern research protocols.