Natural-rhythm GH: secretagogues, GHRH analogues, and IGF-1 — without the side-effects of direct HGH.
Growth hormone peptides fall into three families. GHRH analogues (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295) act upstream, telling the pituitary to release endogenous GH in physiological pulses. GHRPs / ghrelin-mimetics (ipamorelin, hexarelin, MK-677, GHRP-2/6) activate a different pituitary receptor — the two classes synergize when stacked. IGF-1 analogues (LR3, DES, native) sit downstream of GH and produce direct anabolic signaling.
The right compound depends on what you actually want: sleep and recovery (sermorelin/ipamorelin), targeted visceral-fat loss (tesamorelin), oral convenience (MK-677), or systemic anabolism (IGF-1 LR3).
Ibutamoren · Nutrobal · Oratrope · MK0677
The oral GH secretagogue — deepest human trial data in its category, heaviest side-effect profile.
NNC 26-0161
The cleanest GH secretagogue — a GH pulse without cortisol, prolactin, or appetite spike.
Long R3 IGF-1
Long-acting IGF-1 analogue — half-life ~20-30 hours. The systemic anabolic.
GHRH(1-29) · GRF(1-29) · Geref
The original natural-rhythm GH approach — your pituitary stays in charge.
Mecasermin · Increlex
Recombinant human IGF-1. FDA-approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency.
Mod GRF (1-29) · Modified GHRH · Mod GRF 1-29
30-min half-life GHRH analogue. Most common stack partner for ipamorelin.
Egrifta · TH9507
FDA-approved GHRH analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Visceral-fat targeted.
DAC-CJC · Drug Affinity Complex CJC
Albumin-bound version with a ~8-day half-life. Sustained GH elevation — different side-effect calculus.
Histrelin analogue
Strong GHRP with significant appetite stimulation — the class hunger driver.
Pralmorelin · KP-102
Older-generation GHRP. Strong GH pulse with some cortisol/prolactin spike.
HEX · Examorelin
Potent GHRP — strongest GH pulse of its class, but with cortisol and prolactin elevation.
PEGylated Mechano Growth Factor · IGF-1Ec
Pegylated IGF-1 splice variant. Targets satellite cells at sites of mechanical loading.
DES(1-3) IGF-1
Truncated IGF-1 analogue. Local, site-specific hypertrophy — short systemic half-life.
| Sermorelin | Ipamorelin | MK-677 | IGF-1 LR3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRH | GHRP | GHRP | IGF-1 |
| Half-life | ~10 min | ~2 hr | ~24 hr | ~20-30 hr |
| Route | SC | SC | Oral | SC |
| Sleep effect | Strong | Strong | Strong | None |
| Side effects | Mild | Mild | Heavy (water, appetite) | Hypoglycemia risk |
They hit different pituitary receptors and synergize. GHRH (e.g. CJC-1295) provides amplitude; GHRP (e.g. ipamorelin) opens the somatostatin "brake." Together they produce a 5-10× larger GH pulse than either alone.
No. MK-677 is a small-molecule oral ghrelin-receptor agonist; the others are injectable peptides. MK-677 has stronger water retention and appetite stimulation; injectable peptides are cleaner but less convenient.
GH peptides produce a natural-rhythm IGF-1 elevation through your own pituitary. IGF-1 LR3 bypasses this and produces direct, supraphysiological IGF-1 signaling — more anabolic but higher risk (hypoglycemia, organ growth).
Epti is the first training app built around your peptide protocol — workouts, dosing, side-effects, and bloodwork on one timeline.