Vialwise
EN

GHRP-6

GHRP-6 is a lab-made peptide of six amino acids and one of the first growth hormone–releasing peptides tested in people. It acts on the ghrelin receptor to make the pituitary release growth hormone. It also raises appetite and briefly raises cortisol and prolactin. It has not been approved as a medicine.

Not approved · research onlyWADA Prohibited at all times (S2, named)Checked October 2026
Open the GHRP-6 calculatorSources

Approval status

Not approved as a medicine; human use has been in research studies. FDA lists GHRP-6 as a significant safety risk for outsourcing facilities (503B Category 2), and its nomination for pharmacy compounding lacked adequate support (503A Category 3). In Cuba it has been tested with epidermal growth factor in stroke trials.23457

What it’s used or studied for

  • Human studies

    Diagnostic testing: given intravenously together with GHRH, it separated adults with growth hormone deficiency from healthy people in a study of 250 people.6

  • Human studies

    Acute ischemic stroke, combined with epidermal growth factor: a phase 3 trial in Cuba missed its main goal, though people with severe strokes may have benefited.7

  • Animal & lab only

    Heart protection: in animal and lab models it reduced heart-muscle damage; this has not been confirmed in human trials.2

Each label shows how strong the evidence is: an approved use, human studies, animal or lab studies only, or a popular claim with no published studies. Being studied is not the same as being proven safe or effective.

Side effects

Common

  • Increased appetite
  • Short-lived rises in cortisol, ACTH and prolactin
  • Changes in sleep patterns

Serious or rare

  • Higher blood sugar from reduced insulin sensitivity

Human data come mostly from single-dose tests; a 250-person test study reported no side effects. In a 2026 stroke trial, severe adverse events were more common with treatment (30 vs 18 people, not statistically significant), and none were judged treatment-related.2367

Cautions

  • FDA says compounded GHRP-6 may provoke immune reactions because of clumping (aggregation) or impurities.3
  • A forensic lab found seized doping products that held an altered version of GHRP-6 with an extra amino acid (glycine).8
  • There are no long-term safety data.2

Sources

  1. PubChem: Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide, GHRP-6 (CID 9919153)
  2. Dominikowski A et al. Performance-enhancing peptides modulating the GH-IGF1 axis: clinical evidence vs self-administration (Front Endocrinol, 2026)
  3. FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (Category 2)
  4. FDA: Bulk drug substances nominated for use in compounding under section 503A (categories 1–3, updated May 14, 2026)
  5. WADA 2026 Prohibited List
  6. Popovic V et al. GH-releasing hormone and GH-releasing peptide-6 for diagnostic testing in GH-deficient adults (Lancet, 2000)
  7. Hernández-Bernal F et al. Phase III randomized trial of epidermal growth factor and GHRP-6 in acute ischemic stroke (J Clin Neurosci, 2026)
  8. Gajda PM et al. Glycine-modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material (Drug Test Anal, 2019)

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it. The email opens with the peptide and vial already filled in.