- subcutaneous
- intravenous
- intranasal
GHRP-2
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (Pralmorelin)
GHRP-2 at a glance
FDA category 2How studies gave it
Injected into the fat under the skin, or given into a vein, or sprayed into the nose
Evidence on this page
3 peer-reviewed papers, published 1997 to 2005
FDA compounding lists
FDA put it on the list of bulk substances that may carry significant safety risks.
What it is
A synthetic hexapeptide (D-Ala-D-β-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) that acts as a ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. GHRP-2, also known by its INN pralmorelin, was the first growth hormone secretagogue introduced clinically and is approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency assessment.
It has been studied in clinical trials for its effects on GH secretion in healthy adults and in children with short stature. In community biohacking contexts, it is discussed for its observed GH-stimulating properties with moderate appetite stimulation relative to GHRP-6. GHRP-2 is not approved for therapeutic use in the United States or Canada.
Published research
GHRP-2 has been studied in multiple human clinical trials, primarily as a diagnostic tool for GH deficiency and as a research tool for investigating ghrelin receptor physiology. A study by Laferrère et al. (2005) demonstrated that subcutaneous GHRP-2 infusion in healthy men increased food intake by approximately 36% compared to saline, alongside significant GH elevation.
Clinical data in children with short stature (Pihoker et al., 1997) examined intranasal administration. It is approved in Japan under the brand name GHRP Kaken 100 for GH deficiency diagnosis. Community-reported dosing ranges are derived from clinical study protocols and are not validated for long-term self-administration.
What the terms on this page mean6 termsHide
- GH
- Growth hormone, released by the pituitary gland, involved in growth and tissue repair.
- receptor
- A docking point on a cell. A molecule that fits it can switch a process on or off inside that cell.
- agonist
- A molecule that binds a receptor and switches it on.
- clinical trial
- A study that tests something in people under a written plan, with results recorded.
- subcutaneous
- Into the fat layer just under the skin.
- intranasal
- Sprayed or dropped into the nose and absorbed through the lining.
Compounding status
FDA category 2- FDA lists it as
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) (for injectable and nasal routes of administration)
- Applies to
- Compounders under section 503B
- Added
- September 29, 2023
- What that means
- FDA has identified significant safety risks relating to the use of these substances in compounding pending further evaluation and does not intend to adopt the enforcement policy it applies to category 1 substances.
Source: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks, FDA. Content current as of 2026-04-22; read 2026-09-05. This describes what a compounding pharmacy may supply. It is not advice about your own use.
Also given subcutaneous
- GHRP-6Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6FDA category 2
- HexarelinExamorelin (Hexarelin, EP-23905)Not on either FDA list
- HumaninHumanin (HN) — Mitochondrial-Derived PeptideNot on either FDA list
- IGF-1 DESdes(1-3) Insulin-like Growth Factor-1Not on either FDA list
- IGF-1 LR3Long R3 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1Not on either FDA list
- IpamorelinIpamorelin AcetateFDA category 2
Where this came from3 referencesHide
Each one was resolved at PubMed and confirmed to be the work this page cites. Author, title, journal and year come from the PubMed record, not from the page text.
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men
Laferrère B, et al.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (2005). PMID 15699539.
- Growth hormone-releasing peptides
Ghigo E, et al.. European journal of endocrinology (1997). PMID 9186261.
- Treatment effects of intranasal growth hormone releasing peptide-2 in children with short stature
Pihoker C, et al.. The Journal of endocrinology (1997). PMID 9390009.
About this page
Reviewed 2026-08-11. This page reports what published studies and FDA documents say. It carries no dose, cycle length or stack, and it does not tell you whether a substance is appropriate for you. Side-effect reports circulating on forums are self-reported rather than measured, so they are not republished here.
See the editorial policy for how corrections are handled.