GHRP-6 vs Somatropin (HGH)
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Growth Hormone Peptides
GHRP-6Growth Hormone PeptidesAnti-Aging & Longevity
Somatropin (HGH)- Summary
- GHRP-6 is the original synthetic GH-releasing peptide and a potent ghrelin receptor agonist. It produces strong GH pulses but is notorious for a significant hunger surge 30–45 minutes post-injection. This hunger side effect makes it less preferred than Ipamorelin or GHRP-2 for most protocols but can be useful in patients with appetite deficiency.
- Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), identical in structure to the 191-amino acid pituitary-derived growth hormone. It is FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency, short stature, and wasting conditions. Off-label, it is widely explored for body composition, anti-aging, and performance enhancement, though significant risks accompany unsupervised use.
- Half-Life
- 15–60 minutes
- 2-3 hours (subcutaneous); 20-30 minutes (intravenous)
- Admin Route
- SubQ, Intranasal
- Subcutaneous, Intramuscular (less common)
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 100–300 mcg
- 0.15-0.3 mg/day (adults); titrated to IGF-1 levels
- Frequency
- 2–3 times daily
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Strong GH stimulation
- Elevated IGF-1
- Muscle growth and recovery support
- Potential anti-inflammatory effects at GI level
- Useful for patients with appetite deficiency or cachexia
- Enhanced recovery from training
- Increases lean muscle mass and reduces body fat (particularly visceral)
- Restores growth hormone deficiency (FDA-approved)
- Improves bone mineral density
- Enhances exercise capacity and recovery
- Supports skin thickness and collagen synthesis
- Improves lipid profile in GHD patients
- Explored for anti-aging and cellular regeneration
- Side Effects
- Intense hunger surge (30–45 min post-injection)
- Water retention
- Elevated cortisol (modest)
- Elevated prolactin (modest)
- +2 more
- Fluid retention and edema (common, dose-dependent)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint and muscle pain
- Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose
- +3 more
- Stacks With
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