New — Free Peptide Starter Guide (2026): 13 chapters, 34 cited studies

Get it free
Growth Hormone Peptides

Ipamorelin

Also known as: NNC 26-0161, Ipam

Ipamorelin is a selective GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide) and one of the cleanest GH secretagogues available. It selectively stimulates GH release without significantly raising cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — making it ideal for long-term use and anti-aging protocols.

Half-Life

2 hours

Route

SubQ

Category

Growth Hormone Peptides

Studies

45 references

Key Benefits

  • Increases lean muscle mass
  • Enhances fat loss
  • Improves recovery time
  • Strengthens bones and joints
  • Better sleep quality and REM sleep
  • Enhanced skin elasticity
  • Minimal impact on hunger or cortisol
  • No cortisol or prolactin spike
  • Clean GH release suitable for long-term protocols

Mechanism of Action

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that selectively binds to ghrelin (GHSR) receptors in the pituitary gland, stimulating growth hormone release. Unlike other GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6), it produces minimal elevations in cortisol, prolactin, or acetylcholine, giving it the cleanest side effect profile in its class. It works synergistically with GHRH analogs like CJC-1295, as each compound activates a different receptor on somatotrophs.

Dosing Protocols

Standard Protocol (with CJC-1295)

Dose
100–300 mcg
Frequency
Once to twice daily
Timing
Before bed on empty stomach (2+ hours fasted)
Cycle
8–16 weeks

Most commonly combined with CJC-1295 No DAC. Take both peptides together in the same injection window for maximum GH pulse. Morning dose optional for additional pulsation.

Anti-Aging / Standalone

Dose
200–300 mcg
Frequency
2–3 times daily
Timing
Morning (fasted), pre-workout, and before bed
Cycle
Ongoing with 4-week breaks every 12–16 weeks

For anti-aging protocols without combining with GHRH. Multiple daily pulses mimic natural GH pulsatility.

Calculate your draw volume

Enter your vial size and BAC water to get exact injection volumes

Calculate dose →

Side Effects

  • Injection site irritation
  • Temporary water retention (mild)
  • Possible hunger increase (milder than GHRP-6)
  • Numbness or tingling in extremities (rare)

Contraindications

Active cancer or history of cancer. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Storage

Lyophilized powder: store at −20°C. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C, use within 30 days.

Featured In Stacks

Anti-AgingIntermediate

Adult GH Deficiency & Hypopituitarism Support Protocol

A comprehensive growth hormone secretagogue protocol for adults with confirmed GH deficiency, hypopituitarism, or age-related somatopause. Restores the hypothalamic-pituitary GH axis through synergistic GHRH and ghrelin-receptor agonism, avoiding the risks of exogenous hGH administration.

Fat LossIntermediate

Advanced Fat Loss Cutting Stack

A multi-mechanism peptide cutting protocol combining selective lipolysis, metabolic rate elevation, insulin sensitization, and GH-mediated fat oxidation for aggressive body recomposition.

Growth HormoneAdvanced

Advanced GH Pulse Optimization (GHRH+GHRP+MK-677)

The most comprehensive GH optimization protocol using two synergistic GHRH/GHRP pathways plus oral MK-677 for sustained baseline GH elevation. Produces physiological GH pulses without suppressing the natural GH axis.

Growth HormoneAdvanced

Advanced Growth Hormone Peptide Stack

The most comprehensive GH peptide stack available, layering a GHRH analog, a GHRP, and an oral GH secretagogue for synergistic 4-6x greater GH release than any single agent alone. Designed for body composition, fat loss, recovery, and anti-aging.

Clinical Research

45 studies
  1. 1.
    Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

    Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified

  2. 2.
    Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians

    Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, Lin EH, Liu JN, Rick Hatch GF et al. · The American journal of sports medicine · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified

  3. 3.
    The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism

    Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, Yang L, Tu L, Chan SW et al. · Physiology & behavior · 2024PubMed Verified

  4. 4.
    The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

    Gouda M, Ganesh CB · Animal reproduction science · 2024PubMed Verified

  5. 5.
    Attenuation of Visceral and Somatic Nociception by Ghrelin Mimetics

    N Mohammadi E, Louwies T, Pietra C, Northrup SR, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B · Journal of experimental pharmacology · 2020PubMed Verified

  6. 6.
    Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males

    Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, Rivera-Mirabal J, Yu J, Kovac J et al. · Translational andrology and urology · 2020ReviewPubMed Verified

  7. 7.
    Peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogue derivatives for positron emission tomography imaging of the ghrelin receptor

    Fowkes MM, Lalonde T, Yu L, Dhanvantari S, Kovacs MS, Luyt LG · European journal of medicinal chemistry · 2018PubMed Verified

  8. 8.
    A stable meta-carborane enables the generation of boron-rich peptide agonists targeting the ghrelin receptor

    Worm DJ, Els-Heindl S, Kellert M, Kuhnert R, Saretz S, Koebberling J et al. · Journal of peptide science : an official publication of the European Peptide Society · 2018PubMed Verified

  9. 9.
    Glycine-modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material

    Gajda PM, Holm NB, Hoej LJ, Rasmussen BS, Dalsgaard PW, Reitzel LA et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2019PubMed Verified

  10. 10.
    Analysis of new growth promoting black market products

    Krug O, Thomas A, Malerød-Fjeld H, Dehnes Y, Laussmann T, Feldmann I et al. · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2018PubMed Verified

  11. 11.
    Doping control container for urine stabilization: a pilot study

    Tsivou M, Giannadaki E, Hooghe F, Roels K, Van Gansbeke W, Garribba F et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2017PubMed Verified

  12. 12.
    Structure-activity relationship for peptídic growth hormone secretagogues

    Ferro P, Krotov G, Zvereva I, Rodchenkov G, Segura J · Drug testing and analysis · 2017PubMed Verified

  13. 13.
    Simplifying and expanding the screening for peptides <2 kDa by direct urine injection, liquid chromatography, and ion mobility mass spectrometry

    Thomas A, Görgens C, Guddat S, Thieme D, Dellanna F, Schänzer W et al. · Journal of separation science · 2016PubMed Verified

  14. 14.
    Solid-phase extraction of small biologically active peptides on cartridges and microelution 96-well plates from human urine

    Semenistaya E, Zvereva I, Krotov G, Rodchenkov G · Drug testing and analysis · 2016PubMed Verified

  15. 15.
    Determination of growth hormone releasing peptides metabolites in human urine after nasal administration of GHRP-1, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin

    Semenistaya E, Zvereva I, Thomas A, Thevis M, Krotov G, Rodchenkov G · Drug testing and analysis · 2015PubMed Verified

  16. 16.
    Detection of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in urine samples from athletes

    Cox HD, Hughes CM, Eichner D · Drug testing and analysis · 2015PubMed Verified

  17. 17.
    Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients

    Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD, Ipamorelin 201 Study Group · International journal of colorectal disease · 2014RCTPubMed Verified

  18. 18.
    A high-throughput LC-MS/MS screen for GHRP in equine and human urine, featuring peptide derivatization for improved chromatography

    Timms M, Hall N, Levina V, Vine J, Steel R · Drug testing and analysis · 2014PubMed Verified

  19. 19.
    Doping control analysis of seven bioactive peptides in horse plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

    Kwok WH, Ho EN, Lau MY, Leung GN, Wong AS, Wan TS · Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2013PubMed Verified

  20. 20.
    Metabolism of growth hormone releasing peptides

    Thomas A, Delahaut P, Krug O, Schänzer W, Thevis M · Analytical chemistry · 2012PubMed Verified

  21. 21.
    Determination of prohibited, small peptides in urine for sports drug testing by means of nano-liquid chromatography/benchtop quadrupole orbitrap tandem-mass spectrometry

    Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Krug O, Schänzer W, Thevis M · Journal of chromatography. A · 2012PubMed Verified

  22. 22.
    Efficacy of ipamorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, on gastric dysmotility in a rodent model of postoperative ileus

    Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, Tyler K, Mohammadi E, Pietra C · Journal of experimental pharmacology · 2012PubMed Verified

  23. 23.
    Determination of growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP) and their major metabolites in human urine for doping controls by means of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

    Thomas A, Höppner S, Geyer H, Schänzer W, Petrou M, Kwiatkowska D et al. · Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2011PubMed Verified

  24. 24.
    Efficacy of ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in a rodent model of postoperative ileus

    Venkova K, Mann W, Nelson R, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B · The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics · 2009PubMed Verified

  25. 25.
    Growth hormone and growth hormone secretagogue effects on nitrogen balance and urea synthesis in steroid treated rats

    Aagaard NK, Grøfte T, Greisen J, Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, Grønbaek H et al. · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2009PubMed Verified

  26. 26.
    Seabream ghrelin: cDNA cloning, genomic organization and promoter studies

    Yeung CM, Chan CB, Woo NY, Cheng CH · The Journal of endocrinology · 2006PubMed Verified

  27. 27.
    Mechanism of ipamorelin-evoked insulin release from the pancreas of normal and diabetic rats

    Adeghate E, Ponery AS · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2004PubMed Verified

  28. 28.
    Stimulation of growth hormone secretion from seabream pituitary cells in primary culture by growth hormone secretagogues is independent of growth hormone transcription

    Chan CB, Fung CK, Fung W, Tse MC, Cheng CH · Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP · 2004PubMed Verified

  29. 29.
    Growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion and GH receptor resistance in streptozotocin diabetic mice in response to a GH secretagogue

    Johansen PB, Segev Y, Landau D, Phillip M, Flyvbjerg A · Experimental diabesity research · 2003PubMed Verified

  30. 30.
    The influence of conformational restriction in the C-terminus of growth hormone secretagogues on their potency

    Peschke B, Ankersen M, Bauer M, Hansen TK, Hansen BS, Nielsen KK et al. · European journal of medicinal chemistry · 2002PubMed Verified

  31. 31.
    Influence of chronic treatment with the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin, in young female rats: somatotroph response in vitro

    Jiménez-Reina L, Cañete R, de la Torre MJ, Bernal G · Histology and histopathology · 2002PubMed Verified

  32. 32.
    The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats

    Andersen NB, Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, Andreassen TT, Ørtoft G, Oxlund H · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2001PubMed Verified

  33. 33.
    Highly potent growth hormone secretagogues: hybrids of NN703 and ipamorelin

    Hansen TK, Ankersen M, Raun K, Hansen BS · Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters · 2001PubMed Verified

  34. 34.
    Structural similarity of ghrelin derivatives to peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues

    Matsumoto M, Kitajima Y, Iwanami T, Hayashi Y, Tanaka S, Minamitake Y et al. · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2001PubMed Verified

  35. 35.
    Do growth hormone-releasing peptides act as ghrelin secretagogues?

    Ahnfelt-Rønne I, Nowak J, Olsen UB · Endocrine · 2001PubMed Verified

  36. 36.
    Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues

    Lall S, Tung LY, Ohlsson C, Jansson JO, Dickson SL · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2001PubMed Verified

  37. 37.
    The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats

    Svensson J, Lall S, Dickson SL, Bengtsson BA, Rømer J, Ahnfelt-Rønne I et al. · The Journal of endocrinology · 2000PubMed Verified

  38. 38.
    Methylprednisolone does not inhibit the release of growth hormone after intravenous injection of a novel growth hormone secretagogue in rats

    Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, Haahr PM, Wilken M, Oxlund H · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 1999PubMed Verified

  39. 39.
    Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers

    Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L · Pharmaceutical research · 1999RCTPubMed Verified

  40. 40.
    Pharmacological characterisation of a new oral GH secretagogue, NN703

    Hansen BS, Raun K, Nielsen KK, Johansen PB, Hansen TK, Peschke B et al. · European journal of endocrinology · 1999PubMed Verified

  41. 41.
    Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats

    Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, Flyvbjerg A, Andreassen TT, Wilken M et al. · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 1999PubMed Verified

  42. 42.
    Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ipamorelin and other peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues with emphasis on nasal absorption

    Johansen PB, Hansen KT, Andersen JV, Johansen NL · Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems · 1998PubMed Verified

  43. 43.
    Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue

    Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, Thøgersen H, Madsen K, Ankersen M et al. · European journal of endocrinology · 1998PubMed Verified

  44. 44.
    Novel orally active growth hormone secretagogues

    Hansen TK, Ankersen M, Hansen BS, Raun K, Nielsen KK, Lau J et al. · Journal of medicinal chemistry · 1998PubMed Verified

  45. 45.
    A new series of highly potent growth hormone-releasing peptides derived from ipamorelin

    Ankersen M, Johansen NL, Madsen K, Hansen BS, Raun K, Nielsen KK et al. · Journal of medicinal chemistry · 1998PubMed Verified

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.

Was this page helpful?

Launching soon

Build and track your protocol in Staqk

Log doses, track timing, monitor biomarkers, and manage every compound in your stack — all in one place.

Free early access updates. No spam.