Stacking GLP-1 Peptides: Popular Stacks & What You Need to Know
In peptide therapy and research, “stacking” refers to combining multiple peptides to enhance their effects synergistically. In the context of stacking GLP-1s, that means combining two weight-loss peptides like semaglutide and cagrilintide for even greater effects.
In the words of researchers, “combining obesity medications with different mechanisms of action might be beneficial for individuals with overweight or obesity, providing more effective treatment options for weight management.”
Here’s a closer look at the most popular GLP-1 peptide stacks and the scientific evidence behind them.
Quick Summary:
- GLP-1 stacking is new – the idea of stacking GLP-1 peptides is still in its infancy. We can expect more research and new stacks to come out soon.
- GLP-1 stacking boosts weight loss – e.g. semaglutide + cagrilintide (Cagrisema) leads to greater weight loss than semaglutide alone.
- Tirzepatide + GH peptides aid fat loss & muscle – This stack supports weight loss alongside muscle growth and recovery.
Table Of Contents
Semaglutide + Cagrilintide
Semaglutide works through the GLP-1 receptor to help control appetite and support weight loss. When combined with cagrilintide, which mimics a hormone called amylin, the two work in synergy. Amylin helps by making you feel full longer and slowing down digestion, which boosts the appetite-suppressing effects of semaglutide.
This stack is currently undergoing clinical trials with impressive findings. A 2024 review comparing the findings of multiple studies found that Cagrisema (the brand name for the 2.4 mg/2.4 mg combination of each) produced significantly greater weight loss than semaglutide alone (15.6-17.1% average weight loss vs. only 5.1-9.5% for semaglutide by itself).
The researchers of a 2021 study also noted that people taking Cagrisema reported decreased appetite and increased satiety more frequently than those taking semaglutide alone. They theorize that because cagrilintide and semaglutide both induce satiety by affecting different parts of the brain, their effects on appetite regulation are additive.
Tirzepatide + Ipamorelin & CJC-1295
This advanced stack hasn’t seen a lot of research. However, it’s popular with some doctors. The stack combines the metabolic benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists with the anabolic, sleep-improving, and fat-loss effects of growth hormone secretagogues. It’s designed to simultaneously promote weight loss and preserve/build muscle mass.
Ipamorelin plus CJC-1295 without DAC is already one of the most popular peptide therapy stacks, so it’s not surprising to see it combined with a GLP-1.
The key idea is that the tirzepatide aids weight loss while the growth hormone peptides slightly boost fat loss while also improving muscle gain. Additionally, boosting growth hormone aids recovery, which is why this stack is typically used alongside weight training.
Some doctors also use other GLP-1 and growth hormone peptides for a similar stack. The key point is to combine a weight loss peptide with one GHRH and one GHRP peptide because these two types of growth hormone secretagogues work synergistically.
Semaglutide + Tirzepatide
This stack isn’t super common because semaglutide and tirzepatide both activate GLP-1 and the latter has only one additional mechanism.
It’s also not that popular because many people switch to tirzepatide because they have more severe side effects than semaglutide, so it doesn’t make sense to add it back. However, the sheer popularity of tirzepatide and semaglutide is why this stack is still sometimes used.
Final Thoughts
Stacking GLP-1 peptides can significantly enhance weight loss and other related health benefits. Research into stacking is still in its infancy, with Cagrisema being the first major example of GLP-1 stacking. We expect more research studies to come out in the near future as more new-generation GLP-1s (like retatrutide) become approved.
Aside from that, doctors specialized in peptides are beginning to offer custom-tailored GLP-1 and other peptide stacks for specific clients.
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- Enebo, Lone B., et al. “Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of concomitant administration of multiple doses of cagrilintide with semaglutide 2· 4 mg for weight management: a randomised, controlled, phase 1b trial.” The Lancet 397.10286 (2021): 1736-1748.
- Dutta, Deep, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Cagrilintide Alone and in Combination with Semaglutide (Cagrisema) as Anti-Obesity Medications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 28.5 (2024): 436-444.
- Sigalos, John T., and Alexander W. Pastuszak. “The safety and efficacy of growth hormone secretagogues.” Sexual medicine reviews 6.1 (2018): 45-53.
- Bowers, Cyril Y. “Synergistic release of growth hormone by GHRP and GHRH: scope and implication.” Growth hormone secretagogues in clinical practice (1998): 1-25.
