Understand the source comparison
Growth Hormone Secretagogues Ranked: Clinical Evidence Comparison
The following table ranks growth hormone secretagogues by receptor selectivity, half-life, bioavailability, and documented IGF-1 response based on peer-reviewed clinical trial data. The 'Professional Assessment' column reflects research application suitability
No winner is assigned.
This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- The following table ranks growth hormone secretagogues by receptor selectivity, half-life, bioavailability, and documented IGF-1 response based on peer-reviewed clinical trial data. The 'Professional Assessment' column reflects research application suitability rather than therapeutic recommendation.
- Ipamorelin
- Selective GHS-R1a agonist
- 2 hours
- 40–60% at 200mcg
- Minimal cortisol/prolactin elevation
- Highest selectivity for isolated GH research; requires 2–3× daily dosing
- MK 677
- Oral ghrelin mimetic
- 4–6 hours
- 60–97% at 25mg daily
- GHS-R1a with appetite stimulation
- Only orally bioavailable option; once-daily dosing; appetite confound in 40–60%
- CJC-1295 with DAC
- GHRH analog + albumin binding
- 6–8 days
- 60–80% sustained
- GHRH receptor selective
- Longest half-life; once-weekly protocol; blunted GH peaks vs pulsatile pattern
- CJC-1295 NO DAC
- Modified GRF(1-29)
- 30–60 minutes
- 30–50% (synergistic with GHRP)
- Best for timed-pulse studies; pairs with ipamorelin for dual-axis stimulation
- Tesamorelin
- GHRH analog (trans-3-hexenoic acid)
- 38 minutes
- 45–70%
- GHRH receptor; visceral fat reduction
- Only FDA-approved GHS for metabolic indication; daily dosing required
- GHRP-2
- Non-selective ghrelin agonist
- 20–30 minutes
- 50–80%
- Elevates cortisol 25–35%, prolactin 15–25%
- Higher GH amplitude but hormonal confounds limit research utility
- GHRP-6
- 40–70%
- Cortisol/prolactin elevation + appetite
- Strong appetite stimulation; less selective than ipamorelin
- Hexarelin
- Potent ghrelin agonist
- 70 minutes
- 100–140% (highest peak)
- Cardiac receptor density risk at sustained dose
- Highest GH peak but off-target myocardial effects documented
- Sermorelin
- Native GHRH(1-29) analog
- 8–12 minutes
- 30–50%
- Shortest half-life; requires frequent dosing; lowest cost per dose