The cleanest GHRP ever made — triggers a natural GH pulse without the cortisol, prolactin, or hunger spikes that plague older growth-hormone peptides.
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that selectively activates the ghrelin (growth hormone secretagogue) receptor to trigger natural GH release. It was developed by Novo Nordisk in the 1990s specifically to isolate the GH-releasing effect from the unwanted hormonal side effects of older GHRPs.
Unlike GHRP-2 or GHRP-6, ipamorelin does not meaningfully raise cortisol, prolactin, ACTH, or aldosterone — and it does not cause the strong hunger spikes that earlier GHRPs are known for. This selectivity is its main advantage.
Not FDA approved. WADA prohibited (S2 — Peptide Hormones). Available as a research chemical.
Binds the ghrelin receptor on the pituitary and triggers a natural GH pulse. Unlike older GHRPs, it does not activate the HPA axis — so cortisol and prolactin stay near baseline.
When paired with a GHRH analog like CJC-1295 or sermorelin, ipamorelin amplifies the pulse several-fold — which is why the CJC+Ipa stack is so popular. Alone, the pulse is smaller but still meaningful.
Stimulates your own GH production rather than replacing it, so natural feedback loops stay intact — unlike exogenous HGH.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Sleep quality | Pre-bed pulse improves slow-wave sleep; most reliable benefit |
| Recovery | Faster exercise and soft-tissue recovery via downstream IGF-1 |
| Body composition | Modest lean mass gains and fat reduction over 8–12 weeks |
| Low side effect burden | Raychaudhuri et al.: no meaningful change in cortisol, prolactin, or aldosterone at clinical doses |
| Skin & hair | Improved collagen synthesis, hair quality — slower than CJC+Ipa due to smaller IGF-1 effect |
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Start Tracking FreeCombined with CJC-1295 (100 mcg) or sermorelin (200–500 mcg) pre-bed to amplify the pulse. This is the standard modern growth-hormone peptide protocol. See the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin guide for full details.
100–300 mcg is the effective range. More than 300 mcg produces diminishing returns; the pituitary’s pulse ceiling is reached quickly. For more total GH exposure, add pulses (up to 3 daily), not bigger per-dose amounts.
5 mg vial + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2 mg/mL = 2000 mcg/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.05 mL | 5 units |
| 200 mcg | 0.10 mL | 10 units |
| 300 mcg | 0.15 mL | 15 units |
5 mg vial at 200 mcg 2×/day = ~12 days
Pre-filled with a typical Ipamorelin setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
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Ipamorelin has one of the cleanest side-effect profiles of any GHRP — that’s the whole point.
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Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeNo. Ipamorelin has never been approved as a drug. Helsinn took it to Phase 2 for post-operative ileus and discontinued development. The FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted AGAINST including ipamorelin on the 503A bulks list on October 29, 2024. It is not legally compoundable in the US and is sold only as a research chemical.
Community-practice dosing is 100–300 mcg per injection, typically 1–3 times daily — most commonly before bed (to amplify the overnight GH pulse) and optionally pre-workout or fasted morning. The 100 mcg single-pulse figure approximates a saturating dose at the GHSR-1a receptor based on class-pharmacology extrapolation, not a peer-reviewed dose-response study in humans.
A typical reconstitution is 5 mg of ipamorelin + 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, yielding 2.5 mg/mL. A 200 mcg dose draws to 0.08 mL (8 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe). Many users dilute further (5 mg + 2.5 mL = 2 mg/mL) so a 100 mcg dose is exactly 5 units — easier to measure on small syringes.
Ipamorelin (a GHRP / GHSR-1a agonist) and CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) act on two different growth-hormone-axis receptors, and stacking them produces a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. This combination is the most popular community GH-peptide stack. Both compounds individually lack human RCT efficacy data; the combination has no published human trial.
Approximately 2 hours, supporting the pulsatile multiple-daily-dose protocol. Ipamorelin produces a brief permission window at the somatotroph that clears between doses — preserving the somatostatin trough architecture that is thought to keep GH signaling physiological rather than tonic.
Yes. Ipamorelin is prohibited at all times under WADA S2.2 (Growth Hormone Secretagogues). No therapeutic-use exemption available.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The compounds discussed are not FDA approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or peptide protocol. StackTrax does not sell peptides or supplements directly — purchase links go to third-party vendors. StackTrax is not responsible for the products, quality, or business practices of any third-party vendor. This page contains affiliate links — StackTrax may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
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StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
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