GHRP-6
Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-6 (His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2)
Access and compounding status raise extra safety and legal questions.
A synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin (the body's hunger hormone) to stimulate the natural release of growth hormone, which has been shown consistently in small human studies. It has also shown protective effects on various tissues in animal research but has no FDA-approved therapeutic use.
This entry is a cited research summary, not an established treatment reference. Dosing language is included as source context, not as medical instruction.
Safety Summary
The side-effect picture is led by appetite stimulation and endocrine spillover rather than serious toxicity. A 12-participant dose-escalation study reported 23 adverse events (6 different event types) with no serious adverse events. Other human summaries reported hunger, heat sensation, nausea, transient facial flushing, and sleepiness. FDA's 503B compounding-risk discussion specifically cites potential cortisol effects and increased blood glucose due to decreased insulin sensitivity. In the 25-person Borges study, no acute changes in IGF-I or glucose were observed in controls (PMID 9274702). GHRP-6 is considered the most appetite-stimulating peptide in the GHRP family due to strong ghrelin receptor agonism, distinguishing it from GHRP-2 and ipamorelin. Cortisol and prolactin elevations are generally described as transient (PMC5632578). In diabetic rat models, GHRP-6 combined with insulin potentiated weight gain and visceral fat accumulation.
Clinical check-in
If real-world use or exposure is being considered, review potential interactions, contraindications, and monitoring needs with a licensed clinician rather than relying on summary copy alone.
Sources: [1-11]