The Best Growth Hormone Peptides: Rankings & Key Details
Growth hormone secretagogues (GH secretagogues) are artificial compounds that stimulate the body’s natural production and release of growth hormone. They can impart benefits like improved sleep, energy, skin, and exercise recovery.
Unlike synthetic growth hormone, these peptides work by boosting the body’s natural GH production. GH secretagogues like ipamorelin have been used by athletes for decades, and are now gaining popularity in peptide therapy clinics.
Here’s a quick look at the best growth hormone peptides and what they’re often paired with.
Quick Summary:
- Tesamorelin and hexarelin are the two strongest GH secretagogues, but they have significant side effects.
- GH secretagogues come in two types: GHRH and GHRP. The two are often combined to maximize growth hormone levels.
- CJC-1295 no DAC + ipamorelin is the most popular growth hormone peptide stack. It can also be considered the best because of its safety.
Table Of Contents
GHRH vs. GHRP: The Two Key Types of Growth Hormone Peptides
First, it’s important to understand that GH secretagogues come in two types: GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) and GHRP (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide). They have somewhat different effects and work best in combination.
- GHRHs directly stimulate the pituitary gland, telling it to produce and release more growth hormone. Common examples are tesamorelin, CJC-1295, and sermorelin.
- On the other hand, GHRPs work through ghrelin receptors, telling the body to release more growth hormone. The most popular GHRPs are ipamorelin, hexarelin, GHRP-2, and GHRP-6.
Combining a GHRP with GHRH is ideal for maximizing growth hormone levels.
Strongest Growth Hormone Peptides
Here’s a ranking of the best GH secretagogues from strongest to weakest, broken down into GHRH and GHRP categories.
Strongest GHRHs
1. Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a GHRH that’s generally considered the overall strongest GH secretagogue. What makes it special is its enhanced stability and longer half-life compared to natural GHRH. Tesamorelin is most commonly combined with ipamorelin.
2. CJC-1295 no DAC
CJC-1295 without DAC (also known as Modified GRF 1-29) is the most popular GHRH peptide because of its relative safety and effectiveness. While not as strong as tesamorelin, it’s less prone to side effects. CJC-1295 without DAC is most commonly paired with ipamorelin: the #1 most popular GHRH + GHRP stack.
There is also the regular (CJC-1295 with DAC) version, which has a much longer half-life (several days). However, it’s less popular because your body naturally releases GH in pulses, whereas CJC-1295 with DAC elevates GH production for over 6 days. This is potentially unsafe, especially with prolonged use.
3. Sermorelin
Sermorelin is one of the original GHRH analogs with a long history of clinical use. It’s considered slightly less effective than CJC-1295 without DAC. Sermorelin is typically combined with ipamorelin, while less common pairings include hexarelin, GHRP-2, and GHRP-6.
Strongest GHRPs
1. Hexarelin
Hexarelin is the strongest GHRP and is known for its powerful acute effects on GH release. In fact, hexarelin is so effective that it can cause receptors to become desentesized, which means the body will build tolerance to its effects. It can also cause significant side effects due to increasing prolactin and cortisol.
Hexarelin is typically combined with CJC-1295 no DAC. Less commonly, it’s also combined with tesamorelin for the strongest possible GH release. Whatever the case, hexarelin is typically used for no longer than a month to give receptors time to become sensitive to its effects again.
2. GHRP-6
GHRP-6 is known for its strong GH release and pronounced hunger-stimulating effects. It has a strong effect on cortisol and prolactin. GHRP-6 is typically combined with CJC-1295 without DAC.
3. GHRP-2
GHRP-2 is a milder version of GHRP-6. It doesn’t raise GH as much but also has weaker effects on appetite. It’s also typically stacked with CJC-1295 without DAC.
4. Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is considered the most selective and “cleanest” GH secretagogue. Unlike the other GHRPs, ipamorelin doesn’t increase appetite or produce other side effects. Ipamorelin is most often stacked with CJC-1295 no DAC, the safest and most popular GH peptide stack.
References
- Casanueva, Felipe F., and Carlos Dieguez. “Growth hormone secretagogues: physiological role and clinical utility.” Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism 10.1 (1999): 30-38.
- Teichman, Sam L., et al. “Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 91.3 (2006): 799-805.
- Orkin, R. D., et al. “Rapid desensitisation of the GH secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor to hexarelin in vitro.” Journal of endocrinological investigation 26 (2003): 743-747.
