Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides and Hormones GHRP - GHRH

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides and Hormones GHRP - GHRH

Growth Hormone (GH) Questions

What is growth hormone?

Synthetic Growth Hormone (Somatropin) is an artificially created hormone (made up of a sequence of 191 amino acids) that is identical to the one found in humans. Some common names of synthetic growth hormone include: Genotropin by Genentech, Humatrope by Eli Lilly, Nutropin by Genentech and Saizen by Serono. While many companies are capable of generating growth hormone not all of the companies are capable of creating the correct structure that is identical to naturally occurring growth hormone. The structure determines the strength with which the growth hormone molecule binds to a receptor which will in turn affect the "strength" of the events leading to protein transcription, metabolism, IGF-1 creation, etc. It is this inconsistency that accounts in part for the differences in effectiveness of various produced synthetic growth hormone. Synthetic growth hormone is not really true or natural growth hormone. It was manufactured in a laboratory and not by your pituitary.


Naturally produced Growth Hormone is produced in the anterior pituitary. It is made up of a blend of amino acids with the majority of them being the 191 amino acid variety.

How does growth hormone work?

Growth hormone in the body is released in a pulsating fashion. It has been demonstrated that this pattern promotes growth. The pituitary is capable of rather quickly synthesizing very large amounts of growth hormone which it stores in both a finished and unfinished form. Adults rarely experience growth hormone pulses that completely deplete these stores. As we get older we do not lose the ability to create and store large amounts of growth hormone, rather we experience a diminished capacity to instruct their release. The growth hormone pulse is measured in a wave with the trough being the “off” or non-secretion of growth hormone and the crest being the “on” or highest point during growth hormone secretion.

The volume of growth hormone that is released in the body cannot be properly compared to the administration of synthetic growth hormone for the reason that a set of behavioral characteristics associated with natural growth hormone differ from those of synthetic growth hormone. Therefore attempting to find a natural growth hormone to a synthetic growth hormone equivalency is not very productive because in the end what is probably most important is: The quantity and quality of intracellular signaling events and the degree to which growth hormone stimulates autocrine/paracrine (locally produced/locally used) muscle IGF-1 & post-exercise its splice variant MGF
.

How is natural growth hormone released?

Growth hormone release in the pituitary depends on 3 factors:

1. Somatostatin which is the inhibitory hormone and responsible in large part for the creation of pulsation.
2. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) which is the stimulatory hormone responsible for initiating growth hormone release.
3. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) which is a modulating hormone and in essence optimizes the balance between the "on" and the "off" periods of growth hormone.

Naturally produced Growth Hormone

What types of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) are there?

• GRF(1-44) with a  half-life is less than 5-10 minutes
• GRF(1-29) Sermorelin with a half-life is less than 5-10 minutes
• Modified GRF(1-29) or CJC-1295 without DAC with a Half-life at least 30 minutes
• CJC-1295 (with DAC) with a Half-life measured in days

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) pulses can only last less than 30 minutes before your body has used out the potential for a single growth hormone pulse. Since another pulse won't be generated for about 2.5 - 3 hours hormones that last more than 30 minutes up to 3 hours are not any more beneficial.

The administration of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) creates a pulse of growth hormone release which will be small if administered during a natural growth hormone trough and higher if administered during a rising natural growth hormone wave.

How much Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) should be used?

The saturation dose in most studies is defined as 100mcg or 1mcg/kg per growth hormone pulse.

How long should Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) be used?

In most studies no adverse side effects were reported with continued use.

Which Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is the best to use? Modified GRF(1-29) or CJC-1295 without DAC is the best choice because it lasts at least 30 minutes. Growth Hormone pulses can only last less than 30 minutes before your body has used out the potential for a single growth hormone pulse.

What types of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides are there?

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) (Growth hormone pulse initiators):

• Ipamorelin is potent but the weakest growth hormone releaser. It does not increase cortisol or prolactin at any dose.
• GHRP-6 is very potent in effecting growth hormone release. It does not effect cortisol or prolactin up to a 100mcg dose, but does so minimally above 100mcg
• GHRP-2 is a little bit more potent then GHRP-6. It also has a stronger effect on these hormones at all dosing levels rising to the high normal range for cortisol and prolactin.
• Hexarelin the strongest is a little more potent then GHRP-2. At all dosing levels it has the strongest impact on cortisol and prolactin with levels in the upper bounds of normalcy.

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) can become desensitized with constant usage throughout the day. Ipamorelin and GHRP-6 do not desensitize as long as there are short breaks between doses minimal 2 hours. GHRP-2 does not desensitize in the lower dose ranges without short breaks. At high dose it is unclear, but some desensitization may occur. Hexarelin has been shown to desensitize without regard to dose and even with short breaks between doses. This effect shows up after 14 days of continuous use and may be avoided by either keeping doses low or taking a full day or two off every two weeks.
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) are capable of creating a larger pulse of growth hormone on their own than Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and they do this with much more consistency and predictability without regard to whether a natural wave or trough of growth hormone is currently taking place.

How much Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) should be used?
The saturation dose in most studies on Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) is defined as either 100mcg or 1mcg/kg.

This means that 100mcg will saturate the receptors fully, but if you add another 100mcg to that dose only 50% of that portion will be effective. If you add an additional 100mcg to that dose only about 25% will be effective. Perhaps a final 100mcg might add a little something to growth hormone release but that is it.

If 100mcg is the saturation dose, you could add more (up to 300-400mcg) and get a little more effect. A 500mcg dose will not be more effective than a 400mcg, perhaps not even more effective than 300mcg.

The additional problems with higher dosages are desensitization and cortisol/prolactin side-effects.

Ipamorelin and GHRP-6 at the saturation dose of 100mcg does not really increase prolactin & cortisol but may do so slightly at higher doses. This rise is still within the normal range. It can be used at saturation dose (100mcg) three or four times a day without risk of desensitization.

GHRP-2 is more effective then GHRP-6 at causing growth hormone release but at the saturation dose of a 100mcg or higher may produce a slight to moderate increase in prolactin & cortisol. This rise is still within the normal range although doses of 200 - 400mcg might make it the high end of the normal range. It can be used at saturation dose several times a day will not result in desensitization.

Hexarelin in general is the most effective at causing an increase in growth hormone release. However it has the highest potential to also increase cortisol & prolactin. This rise will occur even at the 100mcg saturation dose. This rise will reach the higher levels of what is defined as normal. It has been shown to bring about desensitization but in a long-term study the pituitary recovered its sensitivity so that there was not long-term loss of sensitivity at saturation dose. Even at 100mcg three times a day will likely lead to some down regulation within 14 days.

If desensitization were to ever occur for any of these Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) simply stop administering them for several days and this will remedy the effect.

How long should Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) be used?

In most studies no adverse side effects were reported with continued use.

Which Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) is the best to use?

It depends on what results you are looking for:

• Ipamorelin is good for fatloss and injury repair
• GHRP-6 is good for gaining weight/bulking since it increases appetite.
• GHRP-2 is good for muscle gain, fatloss and injury repair (some people have increased appetite).

Does Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) work together better?

It is well documented and established that the concurrent administration of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) results in synergistic release of growth hormone from pituitary.

In other words if Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) contributes a growth hormone amount quantified as the number 2 and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) contributed a growth hormone amount quantified as the number 4 the total growth hormone release is not additive (i.e. 2 + 4 = 6). Rather the whole is greater than the sum of the parts such that 2 + 4 = 12.

Can Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) be used alone?
The problem with using only Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) (even the stronger analogs) is that they are only effective when somatostatin is low (the growth hormone inhibiting hormone). So if you administer it in a trough (or when a growth hormone pulse is not naturally occurring) you will add very little growth hormone release. If however you administer it during a rising wave or growth hormone pulse (somatostatin will not be active at this point) you will add to growth hormone release.

Can Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) be used alone? Yes. They are capable of creating a larger pulse of growth hormone on their own than Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and they do this with much more consistency and predictability without regard to whether a natural wave or trough of growth hormone is currently taking place.

What is a typical protocol for Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP)?

A typical beginner protocol would be:

• 50-100mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) plus
• 50-100mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH). 

2-3 days on 1 day off then repeat - before bed - subcutaneous injections

A typical intermediate protocol would be:

• 100-200mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) plus 100-200mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).

3-4 days on 1 day off then repeat - before bed - subcutaneous injections

A typical advance protocol would be:

•  100-200mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) plus
• 100-200mcg of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).

2 times daily - before breakfast and bed - subcutaneous injections
These protocols can be used once, twice, three or four times a day to make it more effective. When dosing multiple times a day at least 3 hours should separate the administrations.

Once a day dosing pre-bed will give a restorative/injury repair amount of growth hormone while multiple dosing and/or higher levels will give higher growth hormone & IGF-1 levels which will lead to muscle gain, fatloss and/or injury repair.

What are some of the possible side effects with Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and/or Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP)?

Reported side effects have included: hypersomnia (excessive sleeping), insomnia, muscle soreness (from muscle growth), burning feeling at injection spot (last 10-15 minutes). All side effects went away after 2-3days of discontinuing use.

Should food be consumed before or after the injection of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and/or Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP)?

Administration should ideally be done on either an empty stomach or with only protein in the stomach. Fats and carbohydrates blunt growth hormone release. After administering the peptides wait at least 30 minutes to eat. At that point the growth hormone pulse has reached its peak and you can eat what you want

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Laymen's Guide to GHRH GHRP's

Laymen's Guide to GHRH GHRP's In effort to l

ist a protocol for the use of GHRP / GRF / and in combo with GH if desired I thought I would post my current protocol based upon the research I have done within the last year or so. Obviously the information I gathered is not based on medical studies completed by me but I do use the following protocol myself and have been pretty dammed impressed with the results. Recovery from injury is very impressive to me (any kind of injury). Example, 5 days ago I was lifted by the butt of a tree I cut down (long story). I had bruising and some serious raspberry on my under arm, left quad and my abs ( the but of the tree ran right up the front of my once it got under my arm it lifted me and tossed me about 10 feet through the air). Its been 5 days and all that is left of the raspberries are some faint red marks......amazing IMO.

Also: I encourage others to do their own research. Don't think all that I have written below is gospel or the only / best way to run these peptides. This is nothing more than my interpretation of what I have read and what I perceive as the best way to use peptides.

Best Choices for GHRP's.

GHRP-6 Good GH spike when used with a GRF, large increase in hunger. Elevates prolactin and cortisol levels
GHRP-2 Good GH spike, when used with a GRF, on par with GHRP-6 without the hunger. Elevates prolactin and cortisol levels
Ipamorelin good GH spike when used with a GRF. GH spike is not as high as GHRP-2 or 6 but it does not elevate prolactin or cortisol.


Note: in order for a GHRP to have a positive affect and create a GH spike alone one as to be very lucky in the timing and hope it is injected at time when Somatostatin is low in the body. Somatostatin blunts GH release in the presence of just GHRP. Using GRF will override the signal presented by Somatostatin so you will get a very dramatic GH pulse.


GRF's (GHRH)
Two choices

Mod GRF 1-29, higher GH peaks, short half life (30 minutes) most closely mimics your bodies own GH pulses but far greater amplitude
CJC 1295 long half life (7days). Lower GH amplitude when used with GHRP, raises the troughs in the bodies GH level profile, the downside is it creates GH bleed. Think of the GH as being stored in a jar until someone (thing) opens up the faucet. It is best if the jar is full and then dumps. CJC does not allow the jar to fill. Current recommendations are to avoid CJC


Saturation dose for any of the GHRH's or GHRP's including Ipamorelin is 100mcg (or 1mcg / kg of bodyweight) so this is all based on a 100mcg dose.

As you may know, it is best to pin 1.5 to 2 hours after eating any fats or carbs and then after you pin don't eat any fats or carbs for 20-30 minutes as they will blunt the GH release. Pure protein is OK but I try to avoid all foods. Also, pure protein is OK anytime prior to pinning.


Dosings should be 3 hours apart or more.

Mornings upon waking pre cardio (if you are doing any), afternoon (or PWO) and before bed pin mod GRF 1-29 / GHRP (or Ipamorelin) @ 100mcg / 100mcg. (2 pinnings per day are also adaquate for improvements in recovery, better sleep etc. 3 will make you a bit more anabolic than 2 and you can even go 4 if the pocket book allows.

If you include GH in this protocol it should be 10 minutes after the peptides. So, first pin the peptides, wait 10-15 minutes and then pin your GH. Reason being is that Exogenous GH administration can also blunt GH release.

Wait 20-30 minutes after pinning the peptides and you are free to eat.

When you recon your peptides use as little BW as you can. I don't go as low as some people because I figure I don't want to leave a drop of highly concentrated peptide in the vial that I can not get out. The less BW used for recon the less the degradation of the peptide over time.

If you premix a shot ahead of time, don't let it sit mixed for more than 8 hours or so. When mixed they will exchange ions and who know what the final compound would be called :-). I actually have a way to preload without mixing the peptides until I am ready to pin it.

Do not pin IGF within 1 hour of pinning your peptides. IGF has a feedback loop that inhibits GH release.

With the above for pinning around workouts to get the most of your investment....

Pin insulin (humalin R) immediately PWO
wait 10 minutes pin peptides
If using GH wait 10 more minutes and pin the GH (see above for reasoning)
If using IGF wait approx. 1 hour PWO and pin the IGF.

IGF blunts GH release. another reason to wait is in effort to keep the IGF local you want to wait until you lose your pump. Blood flow is reduced in teh area of injection. if you pin IGF immediately PWO blood flow is still very high so the IGF get transported away too quickly..


For convenience...
Pin insulin Pre work out.... Humalin R is active for 4-5 hours
PWO pin peptides (or if you want to pin slin and peps at the same time PWO)
10 minutes after peps pin GH if you are using GH
30-60 minutes PWO pin IGF if using IGF

by Bilter

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