Summary
GHRP-6 is a synthetic six amino acid peptide first described in 1984 that releases growth hormone by activating the ghrelin receptor (the receptor for the body's hunger hormone), years before ghrelin itself was discovered. Small human pharmacology studies show it releases GH, raises the stress hormones ACTH and cortisol, and strongly stimulates appetite, but no randomized trial of repeated therapeutic use exists and it has never been approved anywhere. FDA placed it in 503B Category 2 (ingredients flagged for significant safety risks in outsourcing facility compounding) in September 2023, it has no 503A listing (the pathway for pharmacies compounding for individual patients), and it is prohibited by WADA.
What is GHRP-6?
GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist), the first of the GHRP series. It is also known as Growth hormone releasing peptide-6, GHRP 6, SKF-110679, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.
How does it work?
GHRP-6 binds and activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotrophs and in the hypothalamus, producing a GH pulse that is synergistic with GHRH. As a ghrelin mimetic it also drives hunger, and it stimulates ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin release. It is the reference compound from which GHRP-2, hexarelin, and ipamorelin were derived.
| Cluster | Metabolic and growth hormone axis |
|---|---|
| Routes | Intravenous bolus (research studies); Oral (one pediatric study); Subcutaneous injection (as sold, not from published trials) |
| Conditions studied | Growth hormone deficiency and GH secretagogue use |
| Record | v2, draft, verified Sep 22, 2026 |
What does the evidence say about GHRP-6?
Human evidence is limited to acute dosing studies in healthy volunteers and children. Oral and intravenous doses release GH, and a placebo controlled sleep laboratory study found repeated intravenous boluses raised GH, ACTH, and cortisol and increased stage 2 sleep. No trial has measured body composition, strength, or clinical outcomes with chronic use.
| Evidence type | Indexed studies | Participants (human) |
|---|---|---|
| Human randomized trials | 0 | n/a |
| Human observational studies | 3 | n/a |
| Animal studies | 1 | n/a |
| All indexed studies | 4 | n/a |
Human evidence
Frieboes 1995 gave healthy men 4 intravenous boluses of 50 ug GHRP-6 overnight in a placebo controlled design and found increased GH, ACTH, and cortisol secretion and more stage 2 sleep. Bellone 1995 showed an oral dose (300 ug/kg) released GH in children with short stature, though less than intravenous administration. Camanni 1998 reviews the human pharmacology and notes the consistent rise in cortisol and prolactin. There are no controlled trials of chronic administration and no outcome data.
Animal evidence
Bowers 1984 described GHRP-6 as a synthetic hexapeptide that specifically released GH from rat pituitary cells in vitro and in vivo, with activity across species. Rodent studies established synergy with GHRH and appetite stimulation. Some rodent work suggests cardioprotective effects shared with hexarelin, but these have not been tested in humans.
Key studies
| Study | Design and population | Outcome | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone1984 PMID 6714155 | In vitro pituitary cell and in vivo rat pharmacologyRat pituitary cells and live rats | GHRP-6 specifically released GH in vitro and in vivo, defining the GHRP class | Evidence: Animal-only evidence |
| Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 stimulates sleep, growth hormone, ACTH and cortisol release in normal man1995 PMID 7617137 | Placebo controlled sleep laboratory studyHealthy young men | Four overnight 50 ug intravenous boluses increased GH, ACTH, and cortisol secretion and stage 2 sleep | Evidence: Human observational evidence |
| Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) administration in children with short stature1995 PMID 7581965 | Pharmacology studyChildren with short stature | Oral GHRP-6 at 300 ug/kg released GH, with a smaller response than intravenous dosing | Evidence: Human observational evidence |
| Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs1998 PMID 9465289 | Narrative reviewHuman and animal pharmacology of GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin, and analogs | Summarizes GH releasing potency, synergy with GHRH, and effects on cortisol and prolactin | Evidence: Human observational evidence |
Conditions studied
| Condition | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Growth hormone deficiency and GH secretagogue use | Not graded | Tesamorelin is FDA approved to reduce abdominal fat in HIV associated lipodystrophy, and sermorelin was previously approved for pediatric GH deficiency. Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, and MK-677 raise growth hormone in small human studies but are not approved for any indication and are WADA prohibited. |
Is GHRP-6 legal in the United States?
FDA and compounding status
Not FDA approved for any use. FDA added GHRP-6 to the 503B Category 2 list on September 29, 2023, citing immunogenicity risk from aggregation and impurities, effects on cortisol, and increased blood glucose from reduced insulin sensitivity. As of the FDA page current to April 22, 2026, GHRP-6 remains in 503B Category 2 and has no 503A nomination, so no licensed pharmacy has a lawful basis to compound it. It was not among the peptides withdrawn from Category 2 in April 2026.
WADA status
WADA prohibited. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should treat this as prohibited at all times unless the current prohibited list says otherwise.
Regulatory timeline
- WADA
WADA publishes the 2027 Prohibited List
WADA published the 2027 Prohibited List on September 21, 2026, and it takes effect January 1, 2027. The S2 peptide hormone and growth factor classes are unchanged. BPC-157 is still named under S0, and MOTS-c is still named under S4.4 as an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase. WADA added a note that many peptides without approval for human use fall under S0 or another section, and that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are still not on the list.
- WADA
WADA 2026 Prohibited List takes effect
The 2026 WADA Prohibited List took effect on January 1, 2026 and continues to prohibit the S2 peptide hormone and growth factor classes (GHRH analogs, growth hormone secretagogues, GH fragments, IGF-1 and analogs, MGF, thymosin beta-4 and derivatives, hCG and GnRH-class releasing factors in males), myostatin inhibitors, insulin and the AMPK activator MOTS-c under S4, desmopressin under S5, and BPC-157 under S0. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are not on the list.
- WADA
WADA 2025 Prohibited List keeps peptide hormones and growth factors banned at all times
The 2025 WADA Prohibited List took effect on January 1, 2025. Section S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics) covers GHRH analogs such as CJC-1295, sermorelin, and tesamorelin, growth hormone secretagogues such as ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, and ibutamoren (MK-677), growth hormone fragments such as AOD-9604, growth factors including IGF-1 and its analogs, MGF, and thymosin beta-4 (TB-500), and chorionic gonadotropin and releasing factors such as gonadorelin and kisspeptin (prohibited in males). Myostatin inhibitors such as ACE-031 fall under S4, insulin under S4 metabolic modulators, desmopressin under S5, and BPC-157 remains an S0 non-approved substance.
- FDA
FDA places GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and ipamorelin in 503B Category 2
On September 29, 2023 FDA added growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2, for injectable and nasal routes), GHRP-6, and ipamorelin acetate to Category 2 under the 503B interim policy, citing immunogenicity risk from aggregation and peptide related impurities and, for GHRP-2, reports of serious adverse events. Outsourcing facilities may not compound a substance while it is in 503B Category 2. All three remain listed on the FDA page current as of April 22, 2026.
What published studies of GHRP-6 used
Ranges below are reported from published studies and labeling only. PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.
Acute study doses only: 1 ug/kg intravenous bolus in adults, 4 x 50 ug intravenous overnight in the sleep study (Frieboes 1995), and 300 ug/kg orally in children (Bellone 1995). No chronic therapeutic dose has been established in human literature; subcutaneous regimens sold online are not from any published trial.
Routes reported
| # | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Intravenous bolus (research studies) |
| 2 | Oral (one pediatric study) |
| 3 | Subcutaneous injection (as sold, not from published trials) |
What are the side effects and interactions of GHRP-6?
Side effects
| # | Reported side effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marked increase in hunger (the most consistently reported effect) |
| 2 | Rise in cortisol, ACTH, and prolactin with each dose |
| 3 | Reduced insulin sensitivity and higher blood glucose (cited in FDA's Category 2 rationale) |
| 4 | Flushing, warmth, and sweating after intravenous doses |
| 5 | Water retention and tingling reported with GH secretagogues generally |
| 6 | No long term human safety data |
Interactions
| # | Interaction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Insulin and oral diabetes medications: GH secretagogues raise blood glucose |
| 2 | Glucocorticoids: additive cortisol exposure because GHRP-6 raises ACTH |
| 3 | GHRH analogs (sermorelin, CJC-1295): synergistic GH release, untested long term |
| 4 | No formal human drug interaction studies exist |
Contraindications
| # | Contraindication |
|---|---|
| 1 | Active cancer (theoretical GH and IGF-1 driven tumor growth) |
| 2 | Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance without monitoring |
| 3 | Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no data) |
| 4 | Athletes subject to WADA testing (prohibited at all times under S2) |
How do people access GHRP-6 legally?
Typical cost: Not available through licensed US channels. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.
Verified access options
Step 1
No lawful United States access path identified on the last verified date.
Step 2
Not available as an FDA approved product; FDA placed GHRP-6 in 503B Category 2 on September 29, 2023 and it has no 503A nomination or listing.
Step 3
Products labeled research use only are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.
Access paths are verified against public regulatory records and prescriber licensing. We never list unlicensed vendors.
Compare GHRP-6
What's actually offered, and what that means for you
Licensed compounding pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth prescribers openly offer many unapproved peptides, and prescribers write prescriptions for them. That does not make GHRP-6 lawful. GHRP-6 is not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so a pharmacy has no lawful basis to compound it. [5] [6]
Enforcement is uneven. FDA mostly acts through warning letters to compounders and online sellers, Category 2 safety listings, and import alerts that let it detain shipments, rather than stopping every pharmacy. State pharmacy boards oversee pharmacies day to day, and their rules differ. [5] [8] [9] [10] [11]
What changes for you
- No FDA review of the product: FDA does not check a compounded drug's safety, effectiveness, or quality before it is sold. [11]
- Identity, purity, sterility, and dose accuracy can vary from batch to batch. [5]
- Insurance rarely covers it, so you usually pay cash.
- For tested athletes, GHRP-6 is prohibited at all times on the WADA list, whatever the source. [7]
What to check
These checks lower some risks, but they do not make an unlawfully compounded product lawful or safe. Check for:
- A 503A pharmacy licensed in your state (your state board of pharmacy publishes license lookups). [11]
- A real evaluation by a licensed prescriber, not just an online form.
- A certificate of analysis for the specific batch.
Frequently asked questions
Is GHRP-6 legal in the United States?
It is not FDA approved and cannot be lawfully compounded (custom-made by a pharmacy). FDA placed GHRP-6 in 503B Category 2 (substances with significant safety risks) on September 29, 2023, and it has never been nominated for the 503A bulks list (ingredients pharmacies may use to compound drugs for individual patients), so no licensed pharmacy can compound it. Possession is not a crime, but research chemical products are not lawful for human use and are untested for purity. [5] [6]
Does GHRP-6 work for muscle growth or fat loss?
It has not been tested for either. Published human studies measured hormone levels after single doses: GHRP-6 releases GH, and it does so orally as well as intravenously. No trial has measured muscle, fat, or strength with repeated dosing. Because it also raises cortisol and strongly increases appetite, a net body composition benefit cannot be assumed from GH physiology alone. [2] [3] [4]
What are the side effects of GHRP-6?
Hunger is the hallmark: GHRP-6 is a ghrelin mimetic and is widely reported to cause intense appetite within minutes of injection. Controlled dosing studies show rises in cortisol, ACTH, and prolactin alongside GH. FDA's Category 2 rationale cites reduced insulin sensitivity and increased blood glucose. There are no long term safety data in humans. [2] [5]
How is GHRP-6 taken?
In published studies it was given as intravenous boluses (for example 50 ug repeated overnight, or 1 ug/kg) and orally at 300 ug/kg in children. Products sold online are subcutaneous injection vials taken one to three times daily, a schedule that has never been studied in a published trial. [2] [3]
How much does GHRP-6 cost?
There is no licensed US price because no pharmacy can lawfully compound it. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity. [5]
Is GHRP-6 banned by WADA?
Yes. Growth hormone secretagogues and growth hormone releasing peptides, including GHRP-6, are prohibited at all times under section S2 of the WADA Prohibited List. [7]
GHRP-6 vs ipamorelin: which is better?
Ipamorelin was designed from the GHRP series to release GH with less effect on cortisol, ACTH, and prolactin, and it causes less hunger, so it is usually described as the more selective compound. GHRP-6 releases GH robustly but raises cortisol and appetite. Neither has long term human outcome data, both were placed in FDA 503B Category 2 in September 2023, and both are WADA prohibited. [4] [5]
Does GHRP-6 work orally?
Partly. A 1995 study in children with short stature found that 300 ug/kg of GHRP-6 given orally released GH, though the response was smaller than with intravenous dosing. Oral bioavailability is low, which is why later development focused on non peptide oral secretagogues such as MK-677. [1] [3]
Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Sources
Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.
- [1]Bowers CY et al. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology 1984PubMed 6714155, 1984
- [2]Frieboes RM et al. Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 stimulates sleep, growth hormone, ACTH and cortisol release in normal man. Neuroendocrinology 1995PubMed 7617137, 1995
- [3]Bellone J et al. Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral GHRP-6 administration in children with short stature. Eur J Endocrinol 1995PubMed 7581965, 1995
- [4]Camanni F, Ghigo E, Arvat E. Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs. Front Neuroendocrinol 1998PubMed 9465289, 1998
- [5]FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks (Category 2 list, content current as of April 22, 2026)FDA, 2026
- [6]FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A of the FD&C ActFDA, 2026
- [7]WADA Prohibited List, section S2 peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimeticsWADA, 2026
- [8]FDA: Compounding inspections, recalls, and other actions (warning letters to compounders)FDA
- [9]FDA warning letters database: July 30, 2019 letter to a 503A pharmacy that compounded BPC-157 acetate outside section 503AFDA, 2019
- [10]FDA Import Alert 66-41: Detention without physical examination of unapproved new drugs promoted in the U.S. (includes peptide entries)FDA
- [11]FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answersFDA
Cite this page
Free to cite and quote with a link. Data is licensed CC BY 4.0 with attribution to PeptideAgent.
- APA style
PeptideAgent. (2026, September 22). GHRP-6: evidence, legality, and access. https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/ghrp-6- HTML link
<a href="https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/ghrp-6">GHRP-6: evidence, legality, and access</a>, PeptideAgent, updated September 22, 2026.