Ipamorelin is a selective pentapeptide GHRP studied in preclinical models for GH release without cortisol or prolactin elevation — the most selective GHRP in its class.

Growth Hormone Peptides

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a selective, pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue studied in preclinical models for its ability to stimulate GH release with a high degree of selectivity — specifically without the cortisol and prolactin elevation associated with older generation GHRPs like GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. The research significance of ipamorelin comes from its selectivity profile. In preclinical studies, ipamorelin dose-dependently stimulates pituitary GH release while showing minimal effect on ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, or prolactin at doses that produce robust GH responses. This selectivity makes it a preferred research compound when investigators want to study GH axis stimulation without confounding effects on the HPA axis or other hormonal systems. Ipamorelin was one of the first pentapeptide GHRPs developed and has been characterized in animal models and early human research. Its selectivity was demonstrated in direct comparison studies with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, positioning it as the cleaner GHRP for research protocols where GH-specific effects need to be isolated from broader secretagogue activity. The compound has been investigated for GH pulse amplification, bone density effects in animal models, and body composition research. Its short half-life (approximately 2 hours) produces a sharp, physiologically patterned GH pulse, making it useful for protocols examining acute GH release dynamics. This listing is for laboratory and preclinical research purposes only. Not for human or veterinary use.

Product Information

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Product definition

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is a selective pentapeptide GHRP studied in preclinical models for GH release without cortisol or prolactin elevation — the most selective GHRP in its class.

Ipamorelin (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a pentapeptide developed as a selective growth hormone secretagogue. It was among the first GHRPs to demonstrate clear selectivity for GH over other pituitary hormones, a property that has made it a reference compound in GH secretagogue research since the late 1990s. In preclinical studies, ipamorelin produces dose-dependent GH pulses with a profile comparable to endogenous GH secretion patterns. Unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, which show significant cortisol and prolactin co-stimulation at effective GH doses, ipamorelin maintains GH specificity — a critical distinction for research protocols examining GH-specific downstream effects on muscle protein synthesis, fat metabolism, or bone density.

Research context

How is Ipamorelin described in the research literature?

Ipamorelin acts as a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist, stimulating pulsatile GH release from pituitary somatotropes. Its selectivity profile differentiates it from other GHRPs: in direct comparison studies, it produces robust GH secretion without significant ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, or prolactin responses, making it the preferred compound for isolated GH-axis research.

Compound profile

Key facts about Ipamorelin

Class
Selective pentapeptide GHRP / GHS-R1a agonist
Amino acids
5
Molecular weight
~712 Da
Half-life
~2 hours
Selectivity
GH-selective; minimal ACTH/cortisol/prolactin stimulation
CAS
170851-70-4
Research category
GH secretagogue, GH axis, bone density, anabolic signaling
Storage
Lyophilized: −20°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 30 days

Research areas

What research areas is Ipamorelin associated with?

  • Most selective GHRP studied — GH stimulation without cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH elevation at effective doses
  • Produces physiologically patterned pulsatile GH release in animal models
  • Investigated for bone density effects and body composition research in preclinical studies
  • Short half-life (~2 hours) enables acute GH pulse dynamics research
  • Reference compound for isolated GH-axis research where HPA confounding must be minimized
  • Commonly paired with CJC-1295 Without DAC in GHRH+GHRP combination research protocols

Research audience

Who researches Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is used by researchers studying GH axis pharmacology, GH secretagogue selectivity, acute GH dynamics, bone density mechanisms, and anabolic signaling pathways. It is particularly favored in protocols where GH-specific effects must be isolated from confounding cortisol or prolactin responses.

Preclinical research overview

What does the preclinical literature say about Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin was developed by Novo Nordisk and characterized in the late 1990s as part of the first generation of peptide-based GH secretagogues. The selectivity profile was documented in direct comparison studies with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in rats, showing equivalent or superior GH release with dramatically lower stimulation of cortisol and prolactin at comparable doses. The compound has been studied in rodent models for effects on body composition, bone mineral density, and GH-dependent anabolic signaling. Its short half-life of approximately 2 hours makes it suitable for studying acute GH dynamics and pulsatile secretion patterns rather than sustained GH elevation (for which CJC-1295 With DAC is more appropriate). Ipamorelin is frequently used in combination with GHRH analogs (CJC-1295 Without DAC or MOD GRF 1-29) in research protocols examining the synergistic effect of combined GHRH+GHRP administration on GH pulse amplitude — a combination that amplifies GH release more than either compound alone in animal models.

Common questions

Frequently asked about Ipamorelin

How does ipamorelin compare to GHRP-2 and GHRP-6?

All three are GHS-R1a agonists that stimulate GH release. GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 also significantly elevate cortisol and prolactin at doses that produce meaningful GH responses. Ipamorelin is the most selective — it produces comparable or superior GH release with minimal HPA axis stimulation, making it the preferred compound when GH-isolated research is the objective.

Why is ipamorelin often combined with CJC-1295 Without DAC?

GHRH analogs (like CJC-1295 Without DAC) and GHRPs (like ipamorelin) act through different receptor systems and show synergistic GH amplification when combined. GHRH increases the number of somatotropes responding to a GH pulse; GHRP amplifies the magnitude of each pulse. The combination produces greater GH release than either compound alone in animal models.

What is ipamorelin's half-life and how does that affect research protocols?

Ipamorelin has an in vivo half-life of approximately 2 hours. This short half-life produces sharp, transient GH pulses useful for studying acute GH dynamics. For protocols requiring sustained GH elevation over days, CJC-1295 With DAC is a more appropriate choice. Many researchers use ipamorelin for pulsatile protocols and CJC-1295 With DAC for sustained protocols depending on the study design.

Research Use Only

Sold for laboratory and research purposes only. Not approved for, nor intended for, human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic use, or therapeutic application. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep out of reach of children. For use by qualified researchers only.

Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or a clinical protocol. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health or treatment decisions.

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