GHRP-1
Get a source-linked, educational explanation from this profile.
Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
GHRP-1 is listed as gh secretagogue.
- •GH pulse amplification (research)
Regulatory status: Research chemical — not approved for human use.
Structure & Properties
Compound: GHRP-1; also known as Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 1.
Pharmacologic class: GH Secretagogue.
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
Synthetic GHRP acting at the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor to trigger pituitary GH release; weaker cortisol/prolactin spillover than GHRP-6.
- •Raises endogenous GH pulses
- •Often paired with a GHRH analog for synergy
Human Research
Evidence grade: Pre-clinical / Observational
Evidence is primarily preclinical or observational; human effectiveness and long-term safety are not established.
Laboratory Research
Limited human pharmacology studies from the 1990s
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
No strict time-of-day requirement. Dose consistently at the same time daily and rotate injection sites. Follow the per-peptide dosing section above.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- •Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Hunger and water retention
- •Cortisol/prolactin elevation
- •Insulin resistance with chronic use
Contraindications
- •Active malignancy
- •Uncontrolled diabetes
- •Pregnancy
- •Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- •Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- •Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- •Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- •Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- •Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- •Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- •Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- •Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 100–200 mcg per dose
Frequency: 1–3× daily
Cycling: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off; keep dosing at least 2 h from carbohydrate/fat intake.
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is GHRP-1?
In plain words
GHRP-1 is a lab-made peptide, a compound in a class that signals the body to release growth hormone. It acts on a signal receiver called the ghrelin receptor, prompting the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. Researchers study it to see how it strengthens the body's bursts of growth hormone release. Evidence is limited to preclinical or observational research, and this unapproved compound has risks including hunger, water retention, changes in other hormones, and reduced response to insulin with long-term use.
Technical definition
GHRP-1 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 1) is a synthetic peptide growth hormone secretagogue that acts at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to trigger pituitary growth hormone release. It is studied for growth hormone pulse amplification and has weaker cortisol/prolactin spillover than GHRP-6, although elevations in both hormones remain possible. Evidence is preclinical or observational; GHRP-1 is a research chemical, is not FDA-approved, and is not approved for human use.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Fasted, 20–30 min before meals — typically morning and pre-bed.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off; keep dosing at least 2 h from carbohydrate/fat intake.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- ·Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
- ·Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Raises endogenous GH pulses
- ·Often paired with a GHRH analog for synergy
Risks
- ·Hunger and water retention
- ·Cortisol/prolactin elevation
- ·Insulin resistance with chronic use
Contraindications
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Uncontrolled diabetes
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- ·Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- ·Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- ·Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- ·Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- ·Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- ·Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- ·Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- ·Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- ·Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
Research chemical — not approved for human use
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for GHRP-1. Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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