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GHRP-6

Evidence: C/D

GH Axis / Body Composition

2 min readLast reviewed July 26, 2026

Key facts

  • Research areaGH Axis / Body Composition
  • Research statusinvestigational
  • Study records209 human
  • Last updated2026-07-26

Evidence Snapshot

Evidence: C/DLimited Human Evidence
2026-07-26Last updated

What this grade covers

C for limited early human endocrine, pharmacology, sleep, and provocative-testing evidence showing acute GH-axis and related hormonal effects; D for therapeutic efficacy, body-composition outcomes, muscle or strength gain, exercise performance, recovery, injury healing, long-term sleep benefit, appetite effects in humans, treatment of growth-hormone deficiency, and long-term safety because adequate controlled clinical outcome evidence is absent.

Regulatory Context

Investigational and not FDA-approved. FDA lists GHRP-6 among compounded bulk substances associated with potential significant safety risks, and WADA prohibits growth-hormone-releasing peptides in sport.

In Plain English

A quick, research-focused overview. It does not replace, and cannot outrank, the detailed evidence below.

What is it?

A synthetic six-amino-acid growth-hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin receptor and can stimulate GH release and appetite-related pathways.

Why are researchers interested in it?

Studied in acute endocrine physiology, GH-deficiency diagnostic research, short-stature populations, pharmacokinetics, appetite signaling, and diverse preclinical injury models.

What is it being studied for?

  • Growth hormone stimulation testing (diagnostic research)Human Studies & Clinical Data
  • Acute GH, ACTH, and cortisol responseHuman Studies & Clinical Data
  • Organ protection and wound healingAnimal / Cell / Preclinical Data

What does the evidence look like?

Limited human pharmacology and diagnostic data exist; claims involving tissue repair, cardioprotection, kidney injury, or wound healing are primarily animal or cell based.

Biggest things to know

Human GH-release data should not be converted into body-composition or recovery claims. FDA identifies limited safety information plus concerns involving cortisol and reduced insulin sensitivity.

What don't we know yet?

GHRP-6's organ-protection, wound-healing, and kidney-repair findings come primarily from animal models and have not been established in human trials. FDA identifies limited safety information for compounded GHRP-6, plus a potential effect on cortisol and a possible increase in blood glucose from reduced insulin sensitivity. Human evidence for appetite stimulation in this evidence set comes mainly from a non-mammalian (goldfish) study, so the magnitude of any human appetite effect and its clinical consequences remain uncertain. No adequate human trial establishes that GHRP-6 reduces body fat, builds muscle, improves exercise performance or recovery, improves long-term sleep, or treats growth-hormone deficiency.

Research status

Investigational

Reviewed August 25, 2026

Research Takeaway

GHRP-6 stimulates GH release through growth-hormone-secretagogue/ghrelin-receptor pathways.

See all 11 evidence claims →

Quick Summary

GH Axis / Body Composition

GHRP-6 is a synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonist and early growth-hormone-releasing hexapeptide. Human studies demonstrate acute GH stimulation, oral activity in selected settings, diagnostic research, and pharmacokinetics, while much of the tissue-protection and recovery literature is preclinical. No approved therapeutic indication or adequate long-term safety program exists.

Mechanism & Research Overview

GHRP-6 is a ghrelin-receptor agonist and growth-hormone secretagogue. Human endocrine studies indicate that endogenous hypothalamic GHRH contributes to its maximal GH response. Separate cytoprotective, wound-healing, cardiac, and kidney mechanisms have mainly been investigated in animal or cell models and should not be presented as established human benefits.

Mechanism pathway

Relationship-support labels describe the type and directness of the research available, not proof of safety or effectiveness. Indirectly supported, inferred and uncertain relationships are not equivalent to directly supported ones.

  1. CompoundGHRP-6
  2. Directly supported (Directly supported relationship)
    Biological targetGhrelin receptorReceptor
  3. Supported indirectly (Indirectly supported relationship)
    Signal / mechanism stepHypothalamic GHRH dependencyEndogenous hypothalamic GHRH contributes to maximal GH response.
  4. Leads to
    PathwayGhrelin / GHSR Signaling
  5. Contributes to
    • Biological processGrowth hormone secretion

Relationship support in this pathway

  • Directly supported
  • Supported indirectly

Thin grey links (“Leads to”, “Contributes to”) show structure only and carry no support rating.

Relationship details

  1. GHRP-6 → Ghrelin receptor — Directly supportedGHRP-6 activates ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor pathways.
  2. Hypothalamic GHRH dependency — Supported indirectlySources: study-ghrp-6-pandya-1998-ghrh-dependency
  3. Growth hormone secretion — contributes to the pathway (structural link, no support rating)Sources: study-ghrp-6-pandya-1998-ghrh-dependency, study-ghrp-6-lei-1995-human-pituitary-cells

A biological process is not the same as a proven health or treatment outcome.

Open in the Mechanism & Pathway Explorer→

Evidence Grade Breakdown

A single letter grade can't capture how evidence quality differs across approved use, off-label use, and unsupported claims. The categories below break that down -- none of them grade this compound "overall."

C/D

Overall Research Grade

Small, early human endocrine, pharmacology, sleep-endocrine, and provocative-testing studies support the C component of this grade by showing acute GH-axis and related hormonal activity. No adequate controlled human trial establishes therapeutic efficacy, body-composition or performance outcomes, or long-term safety, and preclinical organ-protection, wound-healing, kidney-injury, cardioprotection, and appetite findings do not establish corresponding human outcomes -- together requiring D for any clinical-use interpretation.

C

Human Endocrine/Pharmacology Evidence

Show detail

Nine small human studies evaluated acute GH-axis responses, pharmacokinetics, sleep-related endocrine effects, route dependence, or provocative testing. These studies support short-term biological activity but do not establish therapeutic benefit.

D

Human Therapeutic Outcome Efficacy

Show detail

No adequate controlled human trial establishes fat loss, muscle or strength gain, improved exercise performance, accelerated recovery or injury healing, sustained sleep benefit, anti-aging effects, or treatment efficacy for growth-hormone deficiency.

C

Diagnostic/Provocative-Testing Evidence

Show detail

Two adult studies evaluated GHRP-6 alone or with GHRH as a provocative test of growth-hormone reserve. Diagnostic performance does not establish therapeutic efficacy or justify consumer administration.

D

Safety Evidence

Show detail

Safety characterization relies mainly on FDA regulatory review and small short-duration human studies. Dedicated controlled safety trials, long-term safety data, and adequate pediatric safety evidence are absent.

C

Preclinical/Mechanistic Evidence

Show detail

Animal and cell studies support receptor signaling, GHRH dependence, and preclinical organ-protection, wound-healing, kidney-injury, and cardioprotection findings. These results do not establish corresponding human therapeutic outcomes.

D

Appetite Evidence

Show detail

Direct food-intake evidence is limited to one non-mammalian goldfish study. No human or mammalian-animal GHRP-6 appetite study is present in the approved source set, so human appetite effects remain uncertain.

B

Regulatory/Product-Identity Evidence

Show detail

FDA, PubChem, and WADA records clearly document GHRP-6 identity, investigational and compounding status, significant-safety-risk concerns, and anti-doping restrictions. These records establish regulatory and identity boundaries, not clinical efficacy.

Evidence reviewed

Regulatory documents
4
Preclinical studies
6
Primary sources reviewed
19 of 20

Study counts describe the reviewed evidence base. They do not independently determine evidence quality.

How MitoCore grades evidence
Grade definitions
A
Strong and directly applicable evidence, generally including regulatory support or multiple high-quality replicated human trials for the exact claim and population.
A-
Strong human evidence with limited uncertainty, narrower applicability, or incomplete replication.
B+
Moderately strong evidence with meaningful human support but important scope, duration, safety, or generalizability limitations.
B
Credible evidence with notable uncertainty, limited replication, or mixed results.
C
Preliminary or inconsistent evidence, usually limited human data or strong indirect evidence.
D
Weak, indirect, population-limited, or largely unsupported evidence for the specific use being graded.
F
No credible supporting evidence, evidence contradicting the claim, or claims based primarily on speculation or marketing.
Confidence definitions
High
The evidence classification is unlikely to change substantially with ordinary additional research.
Moderate
The classification is reasonably supported but could change with additional high-quality evidence.
Low
The evidence base is sparse, indirect, inconsistent, or dependent on uncertain assumptions.
Very Low
The evidence base is extremely limited, speculative, or unsuitable for firm conclusions.
Scope

The grade evaluates the evidence supporting the specific category or claim. A grade does not evaluate product purity, supplier quality, personal suitability, treatment appropriateness, individual outcomes, legality, or medical safety for a specific person.

These grades and confidence levels describe the research evidence itself. They are not medical recommendations, and they do not evaluate any specific product, supplier, or individual's situation.

Evidence Claims

Individual scientific statements drawn from the sources cited below, each shown with the specific evidence boundary that statement does not establish.

human_evidence

Supported

A nine-subject study characterized GHRP-6 pharmacokinetics after single intravenous exposures.

Sources: Pharmacokinetic study of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in nine male healthy volunteers

Safety

Supported

FDA identifies limited safety information plus potential cortisol and glucose/insulin-sensitivity concerns for compounded GHRP-6.

Sources: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-6

identity

Supported

GHRP-6 is distinct from GHRP-2/pralmorelin, hexarelin/examorelin, ipamorelin, ghrelin, GHRH, CJC-1295, and recombinant human GH; free-base, acetate, TFA, and other salt or formulation forms must not be assumed interchangeable.

Sources: PubChem GHRP-6 Record

Regulatory Status

Supported

As of FDA's May 14, 2026 list, GHRP-6 is a 503A Category 1 substance under evaluation, which is not FDA approval and does not establish safety or effectiveness. FDA separately places GHRP-6 in 503B Category 2 because of potential significant safety risks, citing immunogenicity from aggregation/impurities, limited safety information, potential cortisol effects, and possible glucose increases through reduced insulin sensitivity.

Sources: FDA 503A Bulk Drug Substances Categories, Updated May 14, 2026; Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-6

human_evidence

Supported

In a small study of normal men, repeated nocturnal intravenous GHRP-6 increased GH, ACTH, and cortisol; stage-2 sleep increased while slow-wave sleep was not improved. GHRP-6 is not established as a sleep treatment.

Sources: Nocturnal GHRP-6 Effects on GH, ACTH, Cortisol, and Sleep

human_evidence

Supported

Other route-comparison studies likewise showed endocrine and sleep effects that depend on the administration route.

Sources: Route-Dependent Endocrine and Sleep Effects of GHRP-6

human_evidence

Supported

GHRP-6, alone or with GHRH, has been studied as a provocative test for GH reserve; some studies report high specificity but limited sensitivity when used alone. Diagnostic-test performance does not establish therapeutic benefit or justify consumer administration.

Sources: GHRP-6 Provocative Testing in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Evidence Boundary

Supported

No adequate human trial establishes that GHRP-6 reduces body fat, increases muscle mass or strength, improves exercise performance, accelerates recovery or injury healing, improves long-term sleep, reverses aging, or treats growth-hormone deficiency.

Sources: Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) administration in children with short stature; Nocturnal GHRP-6 Effects on GH, ACTH, Cortisol, and Sleep

Safety & Evidence Limitations

Considerations reported in the sources cited on this page — not a complete list of every possible risk, and not medical advice.

  • Higher-Priority Safety Consideration

    FDA reports available data suggesting potential increases in blood glucose related to decreased insulin sensitivity.
  • Higher-Priority Safety Consideration

    FDA highlights aggregation and peptide-related impurity concerns for compounded products.
  • Safety Consideration

    FDA identifies a possible effect on cortisol among the available safety concerns.
  • Safety Consideration

    GHRP-6 activates ghrelin-receptor signaling, but the only direct food-intake evidence in the current source set comes from a non-mammalian goldfish study. Human appetite magnitude and clinical consequences remain uncertain.
  • Safety Consideration

    Nocturnal and route-comparison studies show GHRP-6's endocrine and sleep effects vary by administration route and pattern; it is not established as a proven sleep therapy.
  • Safety Consideration

    Cardiomyopathy, wound, kidney, and cytoprotection findings largely come from animal models and cannot establish human outcomes.
  • Safety Consideration

    Sterility and endotoxin risk apply to injectable products, and long-term repeated-dose and pediatric safety data remain inadequate.

Research Areas Being Studied

Research areas discussed on this page reflect the GH Axis / Body Composition category and the sources cited below.

Findings Reported in Studies

Educational summary only — reported in cited studies, not a claim of proven benefit.

Show findings from 9 human studies
  • Pharmacokinetic study of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in nine male healthy volunteers (2013):
  • GH-releasing hormone and GH-releasing peptide-6 for diagnostic testing in GH-deficient adults (2000):
  • Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-6 requires endogenous hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone for maximal GH stimulation (1998):
  • Growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing peptide-6 in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (1997):
  • Blocked growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP-6)-induced GH secretion in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection (1995):
  • Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) administration in children with short stature (1995):
  • GHRP-6 Provocative Testing in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency ():
  • Nocturnal GHRP-6 Effects on GH, ACTH, Cortisol, and Sleep ():
  • Route-Dependent Endocrine and Sleep Effects of GHRP-6 ():

Study Tables by Evidence Type

20 study records

Human Studies & Clinical Data(9)

Pharmacokinetic study of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in nine male healthy volunteers

2013

PMID 23099431 · DOI 10.1016/j.ejps.2012.10.006

Population / Model
Nine healthy male volunteers
Dose / Duration / Finding

The study characterized plasma pharmacokinetics across dose levels in healthy volunteers.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Study / Trial Dosing: single intravenous bolus dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 micrograms/kg were evaluated in the source study
Duration:
Acute pharmacokinetic study

Safety note

Very small sample and acute exposure; not evidence of long-term safety or clinical benefit.

GH-releasing hormone and GH-releasing peptide-6 for diagnostic testing in GH-deficient adults

2000

PMID 11030292

Population / Model
Adults evaluated for growth-hormone deficiency
Dose / Duration / Finding

The study evaluated combined GHRH and GHRP-6 as a provocative diagnostic test for adult GH deficiency.

Safety note

Diagnostic-test performance does not establish therapeutic benefit or repeated-use safety.

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-6 requires endogenous hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone for maximal GH stimulation

1998

PMID 9543138

Population / Model
9 healthy males
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRH-antagonist pretreatment reduced peak GH response from 33.8 to 6.2 mcg/L, confirming GHRH dependency for maximal effect.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Intravenous bolus, 1 mcg/kg

Growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing peptide-6 in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

1997

PMID 9186309

Population / Model
6 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus + 7 controls
Dose / Duration / Finding

GH response to GHRP-6 was unaltered in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes; synergy with GHRH was preserved. Included here as a neutral finding rather than a cherry-picked positive result.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Intravenous, 1 mcg/kg

Blocked growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP-6)-induced GH secretion in patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection

1995

PMID 7883854

Population / Model
12 patients with hypothalamopituitary disconnection + 11 controls
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRP-6's action is exerted primarily at the hypothalamic level, not directly at the pituitary.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Intravenous, 90 mcg

Growth hormone-releasing effect of oral growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) administration in children with short stature

1995

PMID 7581965

Population / Model
13 prepubertal children with short stature
Dose / Duration / Finding

GH response comparable to GHRH; synergistic effect observed with oral arginine.

Study/Trial Dosing:
Oral, 300 mcg/kg

GHRP-6 Provocative Testing in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

PMID 19006049

Population / Model
Adults evaluated for growth-hormone deficiency
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRP-6, alone or combined with GHRH, studied as a provocative test for GH reserve in adult GHD; used alone it showed high specificity but limited sensitivity.

Safety note

Diagnostic-test performance does not establish therapeutic benefit or justify consumer administration.

Nocturnal GHRP-6 Effects on GH, ACTH, Cortisol, and Sleep

PMID 7617137

Population / Model
Normal men
Dose / Duration / Finding

Repeated nocturnal intravenous GHRP-6 increased GH, ACTH, and cortisol; stage-2 sleep increased while slow-wave sleep was not improved.

Route-Dependent Endocrine and Sleep Effects of GHRP-6

PMID 10336729

Population / Model
Healthy adults (route-comparison design)
Dose / Duration / Finding

Route-comparison study showing that GHRP-6 endocrine and sleep effects depend on the route and pattern of administration.

Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data(6)

Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) hydrogel for acute kidney injury therapy via metabolic regulation

2025

PMID 41327290

Population / Model
Mouse acute-kidney-injury model + HK-2 human cells in vitro
Dose / Duration / Finding

Enhanced tubular epithelial cell survival via mTOR-P70 pathway activation.

Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial and extra-myocardial damages by activating prosurvival mechanisms

2024

PMID 38873418

Population / Model
Wistar rats (n=12/group), doxorubicin cardiomyopathy model
Dose / Duration / Finding

Prevented myocardial fiber loss and ventricular dilation, preserving systolic function.

Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 Enhances the Healing Process and Improves the Esthetic Outcome of the Wounds

2016

PMID 27200188

Population / Model
Wistar rats and New Zealand rabbits
Dose / Duration / Finding

Prevented 90.5% of hypertrophic scarring in rabbits; accelerated wound closure in rats.

Study/Trial Dosing:
400 mcg/mL topical

GHRP-6 mimics ghrelin-induced stimulation of food intake and suppression of locomotor activity in goldfish

2012

PMID 22349352

Population / Model
Goldfish
Dose / Duration / Finding

Stimulated food intake, equipotent to ghrelin; effect blocked by an NPY Y1-receptor antagonist.

Study/Trial Dosing:
1 pmol/g body weight intraperitoneal

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

2006

PMID 16417467

Population / Model
Wistar rats (hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model); IEC-6/HT29 cells in vitro
Dose / Duration / Finding

Reduced hepatic, intestinal, lung, and renal injury by 50-85% in the ischemia-reperfusion model.

Study/Trial Dosing:
120 mcg/kg intraperitoneal

Growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP-6) stimulates phosphatidylinositol turnover in human pituitary somatotroph cells

1995

PMID 7772238 · DOI 10.1677/jme.0.0140135

Population / Model
Cultured human pituitary somatotrophinoma cells
Dose / Duration / Finding

GHRP-6 stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover and GH secretion in the cultured human pituitary cells, supporting a PKC/Ca2+-linked mechanism.

Safety note

Cell-study findings do not establish clinical safety or benefit.

Regulatory Documents & Official Trial Registries(4)

2026 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List

2026
Population / Model
Anti-doping regulatory standard
Dose / Duration / Finding

WADA lists growth-hormone-releasing factors and secretagogues, including CJC-1295, sermorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and examorelin/hexarelin, as prohibited in sport.

Safety note

Anti-doping status is not a clinical safety or efficacy determination.

Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks — GHRP-6

2026
Population / Model
FDA compounding safety summary
Dose / Duration / Finding

FDA identifies limited safety information and immunogenicity/impurity concerns for compounded GHRP-6.

Safety note

FDA notes potential effects on cortisol and increased blood glucose associated with decreased insulin sensitivity.

FDA 503A Bulk Drug Substances Categories, Updated May 14, 2026

2026
Population / Model
Dose / Duration / Finding

As of the May 14, 2026 list, GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are both Category 1 substances under FDA evaluation for the 503A Bulks List. Category 1 status is not FDA approval and does not establish a finding of safety or effectiveness or automatic authorization to compound.

Show full finding

PubChem GHRP-6 Record

Population / Model
Dose / Duration / Finding

PubChem identity record for GHRP-6, a synthetic six-amino-acid growth-hormone-releasing peptide containing non-natural D-amino-acid residues and acting as a ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue-receptor agonist.

Review Articles / Secondary Sources(1)

Synthetic Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs): A Historical Appraisal of the Evidences Supporting Their Cytoprotective Effects

2017

PMID 28469491

Population / Model
Historical review of GHRP mechanism and cytoprotective evidence
Dose / Duration / Finding

Synthesizes the cytoprotective evidence for GHRP-6 and related compounds across cardiac, neuronal, GI, and hepatic tissue research.

Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice

Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice

Reported dosing patterns are included for educational context only. They are self-reported, unverified, not medical advice, and not instructions for human use. Community-submitted patterns are not yet available in this Phase 1 prototype; this section is a placeholder reserved for moderated, aggregated community data.

Lab Markers to Discuss With a Clinician

Educational topics only — not self-monitoring instructions.

IGF-1fasting glucose or HbA1cmorning cortisol when clinically relevantbody weight and appetite changesblood pressure and fluid-retention symptoms

FAQ

Yes. Human work includes acute GH-response studies, diagnostic research, short-stature studies, and a small pharmacokinetic study.

Disclaimer

Educational research summary only. This page does not provide medical advice, treatment guidance, product-quality assurance, or instructions for human use.

Educational use only. This content is provided for informational and research-summary purposes only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, not a dosing guide, and not a substitute for care from a licensed medical professional. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate disease. Reported dosing patterns, when shown elsewhere on the site, must be labeled either as Study / Trial Dosing or Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice. Community reports are self-reported, unverified, and not scientific proof.

Community-reported experiences, once enabled, must be displayed only as moderated, anonymized, or aggregated data. They are anecdotal, self-reported, unverified, and should never be presented as proof of safety, efficacy, or expected results.

Content status: Published. Last updated 2026-07-26.

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