What are growth hormone peptides?
Growth hormone peptides are lab-made peptides that make the pituitary gland release more growth hormone. They work by copying one of two natural signals: GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) or ghrelin.
Because the body still controls the release, they raise growth hormone in pulses rather than replacing it.
The two types of growth hormone peptides
| Type | How it works | Examples | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHRH copies | Act on the GHRH receptor in the pituitary | Sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295 | Tesamorelin approved for one use; sermorelin compounded; CJC-1295 research only |
| Ghrelin copies (GHRPs) | Act on the ghrelin receptor | Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin | Research only |
Why are GHRH and ghrelin peptides combined?
Users combine one of each, such as CJC-1295 with ipamorelin, because the two receptors trigger growth hormone in different ways and together cause a bigger release. That reasoning comes from hormone studies; the combinations have never been tested for safety or results in clinical trials.
What do growth hormone peptides do?
They raise growth hormone and IGF-1, the hormone that carries out many of growth hormone’s effects. People take them hoping for fat loss, more muscle, better sleep, faster recovery and anti-aging effects.
The only use proven in large trials is tesamorelin cutting belly fat in people with HIV lipodystrophy.
What does the research show?
The evidence is strongest for tesamorelin, which cut deep belly fat by about 15% versus placebo in its trials. Sermorelin helped children with growth hormone deficiency grow, and CJC-1295 raised growth hormone for days in healthy adults.
No large trial has shown any of them builds muscle, improves fitness or slows aging in healthy adults.
Growth hormone peptide side effects
Common side effects include injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, water retention, joint pain and tingling or numbness in the hands. Raising growth hormone can also raise blood sugar.
Keeping growth hormone and IGF-1 high for long periods may carry risks that aren’t fully known, and these peptides aren’t used by people with active cancer.
Are growth hormone peptides legal?
Tesamorelin is a prescription medicine, and sermorelin can be compounded with a prescription. CJC-1295, ipamorelin and the GHRPs aren’t approved for human use, and all of them are banned in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.