Your pituitary already knows how to release growth hormone. It just needs the cleanest signal available.
Ipamorelin is the third-generation GHRP — more selective than GHRP-2, cleaner than GHRP-6. It activates the ghrelin receptor subtype that signals your pituitary to pulse GH naturally, without raising cortisol, prolactin, or hunger. Older GHRPs couldn't say that. Stack it with CJC-1295 (which amplifies each pulse) and you get 4-10x more GH output than either compound alone. Pulsatile release. No suppression of your own production. Your body's GH, amplified — not replaced.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2)
Ipamorelin is a third-generation GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide) and the most selective GH secretagogue available. It stimulates pituitary GH release via GHSR-1a without raising cortisol, prolactin, or causing the pronounced hunger seen with first-generation GHRPs like GHRP-6. The cleanest GH stimulus currently in research.
Technical details
- CAS number
- 170851-70-4
- Molecular formula
- C38H49N9O5
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Ipamorelin is a selective agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR-1a), a ghrelin receptor. It triggers pulsatile GH release from pituitary somatotrophs without the off-target effects of older GHRPs: no cortisol spike (unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 at high doses), no prolactin elevation, and no significant hunger stimulation. When combined with a GHRH analogue (CJC-1295), the two pathways act synergistically — GHRH raises the GH ceiling, Ipamorelin pulls the trigger — producing 4–10x more GH release than either compound alone.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Dose-dependent GH release in rats without cortisol or prolactin elevation — cleaner selectivity profile than all other GHRPs tested
Selective GH release confirmed in swine model — no ACTH or cortisol response even at supraphysiological doses
Synergistic GH release when combined with GHRH — 4–10x greater than either compound alone via independent receptor pathways
Increased bone mineral density and lean body mass in adult female rats — GH-downstream anabolic effects confirmed
RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
For laboratory use only. Not medical advice.
Bedtime administration aligns with the natural nocturnal GH pulse. Fast for 2–3 hours before injection — carbohydrates and insulin blunt GH release. Can use standalone or add to CJC-1295 protocol.
Twice-daily mimics the body's main GH peaks. Pair with CJC-1295 (once weekly) for the synergistic stack — most widely used body recomposition combination in peptide research.
Three daily pulses used in aggressive recomposition protocols. Combine with CJC-1295 twice weekly and AOD-9604 for targeted fat oxidation + lean mass preservation.
PAIRS WELL WITH
ORDER
SAFETY & CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Active malignancy (IGF-1 dependent tumour growth risk)
- Diabetic retinopathy or uncontrolled diabetes
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Childhood or adolescence (open growth plates — assess risk)
Excellent tolerability — best side-effect profile of all GHRPs. Reported effects: mild transient tingling in extremities post-injection (30–60 min), slight lethargy near bedtime dose (beneficial for sleep), minimal water retention vs CJC-1295 alone. No meaningful cortisol elevation even at high doses.
For research and laboratory use only. Not intended for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.