Performance & GH axis
GHRP-1
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-1
GHRP-1 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue from the same family as GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and hexarelin. It is used in research and sold as a research peptide, and is not approved for any human use.
Also known as: GHRP1, GHRP 1, growth hormone releasing peptide 1
- Status
- GHRP-1 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
- Half-life
- Short, consistent with the GHRP family — on the order of 15 to 60 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Subcutaneous injection in non-clinical use
- Mechanism
- Growth-hormone secretagogue
- Pathways
- GH axis, GH-releasing peptide
How GHRP-1 works
GHRP-1 is a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. Agonism at this receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus triggers pulsatile growth hormone release, and also suppresses somatostatin tone, amplifying the response. It acts through a different receptor from GHRH analogues such as sermorelin and tesamorelin, which is why the two classes are often combined in non-clinical practice.
What research has looked at
- Stimulates endogenous, pulsatile growth hormone release rather than supplying exogenous growth hormone, so the pituitary feedback loop remains partly intact.
- Belongs to a well-characterised receptor class; the ghrelin receptor pharmacology of the GHRP family is well described in the literature.
- Because it acts at a different receptor from GHRH analogues, the two classes produce a larger combined growth hormone pulse than either alone — an effect demonstrated in controlled pharmacology studies of the GHRP family.
Evidence level: Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- The clinical evidence base for GHRP-1 specifically is far thinner than for GHRP-2 or hexarelin — it has not been developed to approval and there are no substantive human efficacy trials.
- Ghrelin receptor agonism raises appetite and can raise prolactin and cortisol, effects documented across the GHRP family.
- Raising the growth hormone and IGF-1 axis can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose.
- Any sustained elevation of IGF-1 raises theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing occult malignancy.
- Growth hormone secretagogues are prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List.
- Material sold as GHRP-1 is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
Sources
- PubMed research on GHRP-1 growth hormone releasing peptide · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for GHRP-1 · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for GHRP-1 · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
GHRP-1 FAQ
What is GHRP-1?
GHRP-1 is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue from the same family as GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and hexarelin. It is used in research and sold as a research peptide, and is not approved for any human use.
How does GHRP-1 work?
GHRP-1 is a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. Agonism at this receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus triggers pulsatile growth hormone release, and also suppresses somatostatin tone, amplifying the response. It acts through a different receptor from GHRH analogues such as sermorelin and tesamorelin, which is why the two classes are often combined in non-clinical practice.
Is GHRP-1 FDA approved?
No. GHRP-1 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
What is the half-life of GHRP-1?
Reported half-life: Short, consistent with the GHRP family — on the order of 15 to 60 minutes.
How is GHRP-1 taken?
Subcutaneous injection in non-clinical use.
What side effects have been reported with GHRP-1?
Reported in the sources: The clinical evidence base for GHRP-1 specifically is far thinner than for GHRP-2 or hexarelin — it has not been developed to approval and there are no substantive human efficacy trials; Ghrelin receptor agonism raises appetite and can raise prolactin and cortisol, effects documented across the GHRP family; Raising the growth hormone and IGF-1 axis can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose; Any sustained elevation of IGF-1 raises theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing occult malignancy; Growth hormone secretagogues are prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List; Material sold as GHRP-1 is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
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.