- subcutaneous
- intravenous
- intranasal
- oral
GHRP-6
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6
GHRP-6 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, or swallowed
Evidence on this page
3 peer-reviewed papers, published 1995 to 1997
FDA compounding lists
FDA put it on the list of bulk substances that may carry significant safety risks.
What it is
A synthetic hexapeptide (His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) and met-enkephalin analogue that stimulates growth hormone release via the ghrelin/GHS-R1a receptor. GHRP-6 was the first growth hormone releasing hexapeptide to be extensively studied in humans and is one of the most widely referenced GHRPs in the scientific literature. It has been studied in clinical settings for GH secretion in adults and children, as well as in animal models for cytoprotective and cardioprotective effects.
GHRP-6 is discussed frequently in community forums in the context of GH optimization and appetite stimulation, as it produces notably stronger hunger responses than GHRP-2 or ipamorelin. It is not approved for therapeutic use in the United States or Canada.
Published research
GHRP-6 has been studied in humans for its GH-releasing activity via intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral routes. Ghigo et al. (1997) characterized its dose-dependent GH release and synergy with GHRH across multiple age groups. Studies in children with short stature demonstrated oral bioavailability and GH-releasing activity comparable to intravenous GHRH (Laron et al., 1995).
More recently, preclinical research has investigated GHRP-6 for cardioprotective properties, including prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats (Berlanga-Acosta et al., 2024, Frontiers in Pharmacology). Community dosing protocols are extrapolated from clinical research doses and are not validated for long-term self-administration.
What the terms on this page mean10 termsHide
- analog
- A molecule built to copy a natural one with a deliberate change, usually to make it last longer or bind more tightly.
- 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.
- animal model
- A test in animals standing in for the human condition. Results often fail to carry over to people.
- intravenous
- Straight into a vein, so all of it reaches the bloodstream at once.
- subcutaneous
- Into the fat layer just under the skin.
- intranasal
- Sprayed or dropped into the nose and absorbed through the lining.
- GHRH
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone, the signal that tells the pituitary to release GH.
- bioavailability
- The share of a dose that reaches the bloodstream intact.
- preclinical
- Laboratory and animal work done before any testing in people.
Compounding status
FDA category 2- FDA lists it as
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6)
- 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
- 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
- KisspeptinKisspeptin-10 / Kisspeptin-54 (Metastin)FDA 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 peptides
Ghigo E, et al.. European journal of endocrinology (1997). PMID 9186261.
- Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) administration in children with short stature
Bellone J, et al.. European journal of endocrinology (1995). PMID 7581965.
- Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide (GHRP-6) activates the inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate/diacylglycerol pathway in rat anterior pituitary cells
Mau SE, et al.. Journal of receptor and signal transduction research (1995). PMID 8903947.
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.