GHRP-6: GH Secretagogue and Ghrelin
A GH-releasing hexapeptide that acts on the ghrelin receptor — and, with that, also triggers appetite. How it compares to ipamorelin and why it is combined with a GHRH.
What GHRP-6 is
GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6) is a growth hormone secretagogue hexapeptide — one of the first and most characterized of its class.
Mechanism (ghrelin receptor)
It acts as an agonist of the GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), the same receptor as ghrelin. This produces two effects: an endogenous GH pulse and a marked increase in appetite, characteristic of ghrelin signaling.
GHRP-6 vs Ipamorelin
Compared with ipamorelin (more selective, with minimal effect on appetite, cortisol or prolactin), GHRP-6 causes noticeable hunger. In research, GHRP-6 is chosen when appetite is an objective, and ipamorelin when a "clean" pulse is sought.
Stacks and dosing
Like every GHRP-type secretagogue, it synergizes with a GHRH (CJC-1295 / sermorelin): the GHRH increases the amplitude of the pulse and the GHRP triggers it. Reported protocols use ~100 mcg per SC dose, away from meals. Descriptive context, not a clinical recommendation.
⚠ For research use only. Not medical advice.