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No. 014 · GH & Growth · Growth Hormone

GHRP-6

GHRP-6Growth hormone releasing hexapeptideSKF-110679

B Tier B · Small human studies how tiers work →
  • Not FDA approved
  • WADA ✗ S2
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no sequence C46H56N12O6
O O O O O O N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N 2 H N 2 H N 2 H N H N

2D structure from PubChem CID 4345065 (Ghrp-6), matched by exact name. Hydrogens on carbon are implied.

GHRP-6 (no defined sequence)

No sequence on file. We only draw fingerprints from published sequences — this ring motif is a placeholder, never a guessed sequence.

01

Quick answers

What is GHRP-6?
One of the earliest growth hormone releasing peptides studied, known for potent GH release paired with significant appetite stimulation via ghrelin receptor activation.
How strong is the evidence for GHRP-6?
Tier B (small human studies) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Human data are limited to small pharmacological studies of GH release; no approved use.
Is GHRP-6 FDA-approved?
No. GHRP-6 is not approved by the FDA for any use.
Is GHRP-6 banned in sport?
Yes. GHRP-6 is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).
How does GHRP-6 work?
GHRP-6 is a synthetic met-enkephalin-derived hexapeptide that activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons. It triggers GH release via inositol triphosphate/protein kinase C signaling and also potently stimulates gastric motility and appetite through vagal afferent activation.
What is known about the safety of GHRP-6?
Extensively studied in humans. Most prominent side effect is strong appetite stimulation.

Last reviewed · editorial policy · markdown

02

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER B — Human data limited to small, open-label or pharmacokinetic studies.

Human data are limited to small pharmacological studies of GH release; no approved use.

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

03

At a glance

Discovered
1984 Described by Bowers and colleagues as a synthetic GH-releasing hexapeptide.
Routes studied
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular Routes used in published research
FDA
Not approved
WADA
Prohibited · S2 Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics
04

Overview

One of the earliest growth hormone releasing peptides studied, known for potent GH release paired with significant appetite stimulation via ghrelin receptor activation.

Research status Extensive human clinical data dating back decades; well-understood mechanism of action

05

Mechanism

GHRP-6 is a synthetic met-enkephalin-derived hexapeptide that activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons. It triggers GH release via inositol triphosphate/protein kinase C signaling and also potently stimulates gastric motility and appetite through vagal afferent activation.

06

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Human data are limited to small studies, and many of these findings are preclinical.

  • Robust growth hormone secretion
  • Pronounced appetite increase
  • Gastric motility enhancement
  • Improved nitrogen retention
07

Safety & unknowns

Extensively studied in humans. Most prominent side effect is strong appetite stimulation. May elevate cortisol and prolactin more than ipamorelin. Water retention and injection site irritation reported. Not FDA-approved.

Unknowns. No randomized controlled trials have been published. Small studies cannot detect uncommon or long-term harms.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

08

Studies [0]

No studies cited for this entry yet.

10

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

11

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). GHRP-6. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/ghrp-6/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-ghrp-6,
  title = {GHRP-6},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/ghrp-6/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

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