The original GHRH peptide — well-tolerated, affordable, and still one of the best entry-level choices for improving sleep and recovery in midlife.
Sermorelin (GRF 1–29) is the first 29 amino acids of human GHRH — the active fragment that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. It was FDA approved in the 1990s for pediatric growth hormone deficiency (branded Geref, later discontinued for commercial reasons — not for safety).
With a very short half-life (~10 minutes), sermorelin produces a clean, physiological GH pulse that closely mimics endogenous secretion. It’s often considered the gentlest GHRH option — a great starting point before progressing to CJC-1295 or tesamorelin.
Previously FDA approved; now available only through compounding pharmacies. WADA prohibited (S2). Generally considered one of the safest GHRHs.
Binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary and triggers a natural GH pulse. Because it’s a true GHRH fragment (not a stable analog), the signal is short-lived and clean.
The short half-life preserves natural pulse patterns better than longer-acting GHRHs — minimal desensitization, minimal suppression of endogenous rhythm.
Modest rise in IGF-1 drives the anabolic and recovery effects. Magnitude of IGF-1 elevation is smaller than CJC-1295 or tesamorelin — which is both a pro (less side effect risk) and a con (slower body composition changes).
Sermorelin has the longest clinical safety record of any GHRH peptide — more than two decades of use.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Sleep quality | Pre-bed pulse restores deep slow-wave sleep; the most reliable and noticed benefit |
| Recovery | Improved exercise recovery and muscle repair |
| Energy & mood | Sustained energy, better mood — commonly reported within 2–4 weeks |
| Body composition | Modest lean mass gains and fat loss over 3–6 months |
| Skin & hair | Improved skin elasticity, thicker hair; effects slower than CJC+Ipa |
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreePublished clinical protocols have used different schedules — PMID 28830317 used 100 mcg three times daily (300 mcg/day total) in an adult male study. The 200–500 mcg once-daily pre-bed framing is a practitioner convention rather than a regimen directly validated in the published human trial record.
Sermorelin + ipamorelin 100 mcg each pre-bed produces a bigger GH pulse than sermorelin alone — a cheaper alternative to CJC-1295 + ipamorelin with slightly less sustained IGF-1 elevation.
5 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 2500 mcg/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 200 mcg | 0.08 mL | 8 units |
| 300 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 units |
| 500 mcg | 0.20 mL | 20 units |
5 mg vial at 300 mcg/day = ~16 days
Use our free peptide calculator to figure out your reconstitution volume, draw amount, and syringe units.
Open Peptide CalculatorDosing cheat sheet, reconstitution reference, and cycle planning — delivered to your inbox.
Sermorelin has one of the best tolerability profiles of any GHRH — its plasma half-life is approximately 10–20 minutes in humans (PMID 14499707), which is why side effects are mild and brief: the drug is cleared before much downstream accumulation can happen.
Looking for Sermorelin? We recommend NextGen Peptides — third-party tested, fast shipping, and trusted by the StackTrax community.
10% off with code
Exclusive StackTrax discount
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeDisclaimer: 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.
© 2026 StackTrax, LLC. All rights reserved.
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.
Before using any compound mentioned here, consult a qualified healthcare provider. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or recommend these substances for personal use.
These pages also contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you — this never changes our editorial recommendations.