Research compounds
Ghrelin
Lenomorelin, the hunger hormone
Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid stomach-derived hormone and the only known circulating orexigenic — appetite-stimulating — hormone. It is the endogenous ligand for the receptor that GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, ipamorelin and MK-677 all target.
Also known as: lenomorelin, acyl ghrelin, hunger hormone
- Status
- Ghrelin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Approximately 10 to 30 minutes for acylated ghrelin.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous infusion in the research setting
- Mechanism
- Growth-hormone secretagogue
- Pathways
- GH axis, GH-releasing peptide
How Ghrelin works
Ghrelin requires an unusual post-translational modification to be active: ghrelin O-acyltransferase attaches an octanoyl fatty acid to serine-3, and only this acylated form binds GHS-R1a. Receptor activation in the pituitary triggers growth hormone release, and activation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus stimulates NPY/AgRP neurons to drive hunger. Levels rise before meals and fall after eating.
What research has looked at
- It is the endogenous ligand explaining the entire growth hormone secretagogue class — every GHRP works by mimicking it.
- Its dual action on both growth hormone release and appetite is why secretagogues reliably increase hunger as a side effect.
- Ghrelin analogues have been developed for cachexia, where appetite stimulation is the goal rather than an unwanted effect — anamorelin is the approved example.
- It also has documented effects on gastric motility and on reward signalling.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Administering ghrelin or its mimetics increases appetite, raises growth hormone, and can raise cortisol and prolactin — the last two are frequently omitted from marketing of GHRPs.
- Raising the growth hormone and IGF-1 axis can worsen insulin resistance.
- Native ghrelin is not approved as a drug anywhere and has a very short half-life.
- The acylation requirement means unacylated material is biologically inactive — a real quality problem for grey-market supply, where acylation status is not verified.
- Ghrelin receptor agonists are prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List.
Sources
- PubMed research on ghrelin acylation GHS-R1a appetite · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for ghrelin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for ghrelin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Ghrelin FAQ
What is Ghrelin?
Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid stomach-derived hormone and the only known circulating orexigenic — appetite-stimulating — hormone. It is the endogenous ligand for the receptor that GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, ipamorelin and MK-677 all target.
How does Ghrelin work?
Ghrelin requires an unusual post-translational modification to be active: ghrelin O-acyltransferase attaches an octanoyl fatty acid to serine-3, and only this acylated form binds GHS-R1a. Receptor activation in the pituitary triggers growth hormone release, and activation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus stimulates NPY/AgRP neurons to drive hunger. Levels rise before meals and fall after eating.
Is Ghrelin FDA approved?
No. Ghrelin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Ghrelin?
Reported half-life: Approximately 10 to 30 minutes for acylated ghrelin.
How is Ghrelin taken?
Intravenous infusion in the research setting.
What side effects have been reported with Ghrelin?
Reported in the sources: Administering ghrelin or its mimetics increases appetite, raises growth hormone, and can raise cortisol and prolactin — the last two are frequently omitted from marketing of GHRPs; Raising the growth hormone and IGF-1 axis can worsen insulin resistance; Native ghrelin is not approved as a drug anywhere and has a very short half-life; The acylation requirement means unacylated material is biologically inactive — a real quality problem for grey-market supply, where acylation status is not verified; Ghrelin receptor agonists are prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.