Ipamorelin
ip-ah-MORE-eh-lin
A selective growth hormone releaser that works through the 'hunger hormone' pathway — clean GH stimulation with fewer side effects.
Last reviewed: April 2026
What It Does
Ipamorelin triggers growth hormone release through a different pathway than sermorelin or CJC-1295. It mimics ghrelin (the hunger hormone) to stimulate GH release from the pituitary. It's considered the 'cleanest' GH peptide because it doesn't significantly raise cortisol or prolactin like other ghrelin mimetics.
Why People Take It
How It's Administered
Subcutaneous Injection
Injection before bed
Frequency
Daily or 5 nights per week
Pain Level
●○○ Minimal
Self-Administered
Yes — at home
Typical Range
200mcg – 300mcg
What To Expect
Week 1–2
Improved sleep depth.
Month 1
Better recovery, more energy.
Month 3+
Body composition and skin improvements.
Side Effects
Overall: Mild
Common (1–10%)
Injection site reaction
Mild redness.
Uncommon (0.1–1%)
Headache
Usually transient.
Who Should NOT Take This
• Active cancer
• Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
• Glucocorticoids — may reduce GH response
Pregnancy: Not studied in pregnancy. Avoid.
Clinical Details
Show Clinical Details (for healthcare professionals)Hide Clinical Details▼
Half-Life
~2 hours
Bioavailability
Well absorbed subcutaneously
Mechanism of Action
Selective growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R/ghrelin receptor) agonist. Stimulates GH release without significantly affecting cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin — unlike GHRP-6 or GHRP-2 which are less selective.
Published Research
Ipamorelin — A New Growth Hormone Secretagogue (1998) ↗Compare With Similar Peptides
Ipamorelin works through ghrelin receptors; sermorelin/CJC through GHRH receptors. Combining both pathways (CJC+Ipamorelin) gives synergistic GH release.
Sermorelin
A peptide that tells your pituitary gland to make more growth hormone naturally — supports sleep, recovery, and body composition.
CJC-1295
A long-acting growth hormone releaser that provides sustained GH stimulation over days rather than minutes.
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
The most popular growth hormone peptide combination — hits two pathways simultaneously for amplified GH release.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a compounded medication prescribed off-label. It has not been FDA-approved for the uses described. All prescribing decisions are made by your independent licensed provider.