Understand the source comparison
How to Use Peptides for Increasing Growth Hormone: Peptide Comparison
Before selecting a secretagogue, understand the trade-offs between receptor specificity, half-life, and secondary hormonal effects. CJC-1295 (no DAC) GHRH analog. Direct pituitary stimulation 30 minutes 100–200mcg 2–3×/day Minimal. No cortisol or prolactin ele
No winner is assigned.
This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- Before selecting a secretagogue, understand the trade-offs between receptor specificity, half-life, and secondary hormonal effects.
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- GHRH analog. Direct pituitary stimulation
- 30 minutes
- 100–200mcg 2–3×/day
- Minimal. No cortisol or prolactin elevation
- Best for mimicking natural pulsatile GH release without sustained elevation; requires multiple daily doses
- CJC-1295 with DAC
- GHRH analog with extended half-life
- 6–8 days
- 2mg once weekly
- Potential GH receptor desensitization with chronic use
- Convenient for infrequent dosing but less physiological than pulsatile protocols
- Ipamorelin
- GHS-R1a agonist. Blocks somatostatin
- 2 hours
- 200–300mcg before sleep
- Highly selective. No appetite or cortisol effects
- Gold standard for GH pulse amplification with minimal off-target activity
- GHRP-2
- GHS-R1a agonist
- 20 minutes
- 100–300mcg 2–3×/day
- Moderate cortisol and prolactin elevation
- Effective but less selective than ipamorelin. Not ideal for sensitive populations
- Hexarelin
- 70 minutes
- 100–200mcg/day
- Cortisol elevation, potential cardioprotective IGF-1 effects
- Strongest GH release but highest risk of receptor desensitization