ResearchSafe

Ipamorelin (Ipamorelin (Selective GH Secretagogue))

Category: Growth Hormone. Status: Research compound.

A highly selective GH secretagogue that stimulates GH release without significantly affecting cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH. Considered the cleanest GHRP.

How it works

Selectively activates GHSR on pituitary somatotrophs. Unlike GHRP-6 and hexarelin, does not significantly activate ACTH or prolactin-releasing pathways.

Key facts

  • Molecular weight: 711.9 Da
  • Half-life: 2 hours
  • Bioavailability: High (SubQ)
  • Storage: Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 28 days.

Dosing overview

  • Typical dose: 100-300 mcg
  • Frequency: 1-3x daily
  • Duration: 8-16 weeks
  • Route: Subcutaneous injection

Protocol notes

  • Most run 100-300 mcg per dose, 1-3x daily.
  • Almost always combined 1:1-ish with CJC-1295 (no-DAC) in the same shot for a stronger, cleaner GH pulse.
  • Pre-bed dose is the priority; add a fasted-morning or pre-workout dose to increase total pulses.

Reported benefits

  • Clean GH release
  • No cortisol or prolactin increase
  • Improved sleep
  • Fat loss
  • Joint support
  • Anti-aging benefits

Possible side effects

  • Mild hunger increase
  • Head rush post-injection
  • Water retention (mild)
  • Tingling

Research

  • Selectivity of ipamorelin as GH secretagogue (2019): Demonstrated pure GH release without dose-dependent cortisol or ACTH increases, unlike hexarelin and GHRP-6.
  • Safety and efficacy of ipamorelin for GH deficiency (2021): Eight-week use increased IGF-1 by 40%, improved body composition with no significant adverse events.

Community reviews of Ipamorelin

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 8 community reviews by ResearchSafe members.

  • peak_levels_paula rated it 5/5 - Better recovery and deeper sleep at 2 months: Ipamorelin has been a solid addition to my protocol. The GH release translates to better sleep, improved recovery, and a gradual improvement in body composition that I did not get from training alone. I track my sleep with a wearable and my deep sleep percentage went from 12% to about 18-20% within the first two weeks. That alone is worth it for recovery. The body comp changes are more subtle but visible in progress photos over 2-3 months. No significant side effects at the doses I am running. Occasionally wake up with slightly puffy hands but it resolves within an hour. Recommend starting c
  • dose_diary_alex rated it 5/5 - Body comp changes subtle but real: About 4 months into my Ipamorelin protocol and the compound is doing what it is supposed to. Sleep is deeper, skin quality is better, fat around the midsection is slowly reducing, and my recovery from training is improved. The key insight I have learned is patience. This is not an overnight transformation. It is a slow, steady optimization that compounds over weeks and months. People who quit after 2 weeks are not giving it enough time. Only downsides: some mild joint stiffness early on (actually a sign it is working) and the fasted dosing schedule is sometimes inconvenient. Worth it for the
  • growth_factor_gabe rated it 5/5 - Sleep quality improvement was the first thing I noticed: Running Ipamorelin for 3 weeks now, primarily for recovery and body composition. The first benefit I noticed was dramatically better sleep, deeper and more restorative, within the first week. Body composition changes came slower but are real. Leaner midsection, slightly fuller muscles, and my recovery between training sessions is noticeably improved. Not dramatic bodybuilder gains, more like everything works a bit better. Side effects have been minimal. Some water retention in the first 2 weeks that settled down, and occasional numbness in my fingers in the morning that goes away within an h
  • kim174 rated it 5/5 - sleep got deeper and the scale finally moved: after 12 weeks on ipamorelin, i was genuinely pretty happy with it. i work long lab days on the west coast, train a few times a week, and i mostly wanted better recovery plus a little help with body comp without feeling wired. for me, sleep got deeper, my HRV trended up a bit, and morning soreness was lower, which made my lifting feel smoother. the fat loss was gradual, but real enough that i noticed it in the mirror and on the scale. couldve been a mix of better sleep and tighter food, but my notes line up enough that i kept it at 5 stars.
  • engineer_cora rated it 4/5 - Skeptical at first, but it did help my cut: I went in pretty skeptical, because my work in pharmacy makes me side-eye half the internet. After about 8 weeks on ipamorelin, I did drop 13 lbs and my sleep felt deeper, which honestly surprised me. For me, that was enough to keep it in rotation, though I still watched labs like a hawk.
  • travis556 rated it 4/5 - leaned out a bit and slept a touch deeper: the main thing for me was leaning out without feeling wrecked, i ran ipamorelin about 4 weeks while lifting and doing a pretty normal midwest winter hibernation routine, and i was down about 5 lbs, sleep seemed a little deeper too, but that was the real draw for me.

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Community discussions about Ipamorelin

Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.