GHRP-6

GHRP-6 binds the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and prompts the pituitary gland to release a pulse of growth hormone. In rats, the rise started within minutes and usually faded within 2 hours. In healthy men it also acted synergistically with GHRH, the hormone that normally triggers growth hormone release, so the two together released more than either alone. It also increases appetite and can briefly raise cortisol and prolactin.

Yes, according to a 2026 review, which calls a consistent appetite-stimulating response “a characteristic and clinically relevant effect of GHRP-6.” GHRP-2, which acts on the same ghrelin receptor, also increases food intake. Separately, the FDA flagged a possible rise in blood sugar from reduced insulin sensitivity with GHRP-6.

Both are growth hormone-releasing peptides that act on the ghrelin receptor, both raise appetite and briefly raise cortisol and prolactin, and WADA prohibits both. GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) has a diagnostic role in Japan, where it is used as a test stimulus to check for growth hormone deficiency; it is not approved in the US. The FDA put injectable and nasal GHRP-2 in category 2 for outsourcing facilities on September 29, 2023, the same day as GHRP-6, and noted reports of serious adverse events with GHRP-2, including a higher insulin need, deaths of critically ill study subjects, infection and pancreatitis, though causality has not been established. For pharmacy compounding, both sit in category 3, nominated without adequate support.

Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid peptide that acts on the same receptor as GHRP-6. In a 1998 study in pigs, GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 raised the stress hormones ACTH and cortisol, while ipamorelin did not raise them more than GHRH did; that is animal data, not a human comparison. CJC-1295 belongs to a different class: it is an analog of GHRH, the hormone GHRP-6 acted synergistically with in the 1990 study. None of the three is FDA-approved. See the CJC-1295 and ipamorelin page for their evidence and status.

Not on any FDA list that permits it. For outsourcing facilities (503B), GHRP-6 has been in category 2 since September 29, 2023: substances the FDA had enough information to evaluate and in which it identified significant safety risks. For pharmacies (503A), it is in category 3: substances nominated without enough supporting information for the FDA to evaluate. Neither category is an approval, and no FDA-approved product contains GHRP-6.

Yes. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names GHRP-6, along with GHRP-1 through GHRP-5 and other growth hormone-releasing peptides, under growth hormone releasing factors. They are prohibited at all times, in and out of competition, and the ban extends to substances with a similar chemical structure or biological effect.